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Will the ethics of stem cell research limit us from ever using stem cells to their full potential?

Will the ethics of stem cell research limit us from ever using stem cells to their full potential?. An extended project by Alex Taylor. What exactly is a Stem Cell?. “ an undifferentiated embryonic cell that gives rise to specialized cells, such as blood, bone, etc ” Sperm + Ovum  Zygote

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Will the ethics of stem cell research limit us from ever using stem cells to their full potential?

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  1. Will the ethics of stem cell research limit us from ever using stem cells to their full potential? An extended project by Alex Taylor

  2. What exactly is a Stem Cell? • “an undifferentiated embryonic cell that gives rise to specialized cells, such as blood, bone, etc” • Sperm + Ovum  Zygote • Zygote  Blastocyst / Embryo  Fetus  Baby • “an undifferentiated embryonic cell that gives rise to specialized cells, such as blood, bone, etc”

  3. Somatic Stem Cells • Stem Cell Niche • Very low numbers • Signals prevent differentiation • No ‘signals’ = Death or Differentiation • Specialized niches, not pluripotent • Restricted growth

  4. Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer (SCNT) Pro’s: • Pluripotent • Divide to great numbers • Little chance of immune rejection • No ‘actual’ fertilization (sperm and ovum) occurs Image courtesy of the BBC from Science Media Centrehttp://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/7101834.stm

  5. Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer (SCNT) Con’s: • Very delicate procedure • Still an embryo Image courtesy of Biotechnology Onlinehttp://www.biotechnologyonline.gov.au/popups/img_scnt.html

  6. Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs) Pro’s: • Pluripotent • Divide to great numbers • Avoid immune rejection. • Not an embryo. Image courtesy of the BBC from Science Media Centrehttp://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/7101834.stm

  7. Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs) Con’s: • DNA-changing capabilities of viruses • Dangerous Image courtesy of Zuggyfrom EvaGeeks Forumhttp://forum.evageeks.org/viewtopic.php?p=205205

  8. Survey Results – Subject Summary

  9. Survey Results – Knowledge • Average Knowledge: 5.06 • Do those that know more on SCR, support it more? • If we were to educate the youth of today about SCR does that mean vital trials in the future are more likely to be accepted?

  10. Survey Results – Knowledge Subject 34, 38 & 43

  11. Survey Results – Knowledge Gradient (2dp)0.30  0.40

  12. Survey Results – Knowledge • As Knowledge increases, support for SCR increases • If the public were educated more about SCR, there would be a decline in the number of people against it? • Perhaps those that are against SCR for religious reasons refuse to learn more about it? • Perhaps only those interested in, and thus support, SCR actively go out to learn more? • My view: If people knew more about SCR, especially the potential health benefits to the human race, more people would support SCR.

  13. Survey Results – Religion Gradient (2dp)-0.20

  14. Survey Results – Religion • As strength of religious views increase, support for SCR decreases. • Society with a less orthodox religion, would support SCR more? • State of religious strength?

  15. Survey Results – Religious Strength

  16. Survey Results – Religious Strength • Average Difference: -1.43 • Strength of people’s religious views decreasing? • SCR will be more greatly accepted in the future? • Teenagers generally less religious now, will increase in the future?

  17. Survey Results – Gender • 23 Males, 24 Females • Average Male Interest: 5.04 • Average Female Interest: 4.50 • Males support SCR more? • Average Male View: 7.57 • Average Female View: 6.33 • said in November: Figures show that men are 14 per cent more likely to develop [cancer] than their female counterparts in England. Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/8132216/Men-get-cancer-more-than-women-because-of-poor-lifestyles.html

  18. Constantly improving techniques, more ethical • Future techniques could wipe away most ethical debate • Youth has a very positive 6.94 average view • On average religious strength of youth less than parents • Support in the right places • Will techniques improve, possibly not • Religious strength of youth may increase Will the ethics of stem cell research limit us from ever using stem cells to their full potential?

  19. In my view... • No. • Improved techniques will eventually satisfy ethicists • Greater support for SCR in the future • Increase in knowledge of its use • Diseases like cancer are increasing. WHO said: Will the ethics of stem cell research limit us from ever using stem cells to their full potential? Global cancer rates could increase by 50% to 15 million by 2020 Source: http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/releases/2003/pr27/en/

  20. Why this topic? • Best friend has CF • Genuine interest • Strong feelings

  21. Issues Faced • Focused title • Useful sources, other than the internet. • Collecting data • Students at Christian school • Difficult achieving sufficient data from other religions

  22. Sources Used • Mainly internet based sources • Uni websites = Reliable, detailed and accurate. • http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/ • Government and Charity sites • http://www.ukscf.org/ http://stemcells.nih.gov/ • Books • ‘The Britannica Guide To Genetics’

  23. Differently? • More subjects • Greater diversity • Less reliant on internet • Practical research

  24. Thank you for your time Alex Taylor12ES14

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