Stem Cells

By Lauren E. Yaich

Abstract

Samantha and her husband Brad have two children, conceived with the help of in vitro fertilization treatments. After viewing a TV program on stem cells and their potential medical uses, Samantha is convinced that they should donate the remaining frozen embryos they have to medical research, an idea Brad strongly objects to. The case teaches about stem cells and their medical applications as well as the ethical dilemmas posed by their use.

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Date Posted

07/09/2002

Overview

Objectives

To discuss the concept of the “stem cell.”
To learn about differences between embryonic stem cells and adult stem cells.
To discover what types of adult stem cells exist.
To discuss biomedical applications for stem cells.
To debate ethical dilemmas posed by stem cell use.

Keywords

Stem cells; stem cell therapy; stem cell research; embryonic stem cells; adult stem cells; pluripotent; hematopoietic; senescence; bioethics

Subject Headings

Biotechnology

Cell Biology

EDUCATIONAL LEVEL

Undergraduate upper division

FORMAT

PDF

TOPICAL AREAS

Ethics, Policy issues, Social issues

LANGUAGE

English

TYPE/METHODS

Analysis (Issues), Discussion

Teaching Notes & Answer Key

Teaching Notes

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Answer Key

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