Understanding Responsibility in Stem Cell Research

2021 ◽  
Vol 66 (Special Issue) ◽  
pp. 25-25
Author(s):  
Lars Assen ◽  
◽  
Karin Jongsma ◽  
Annelien Bredenoord ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cell ◽  
International Society ◽  
Stem Cell Research ◽  
Reactive Attitudes ◽  
Ethical Implications ◽  
One Step ◽  
Moral Responsibilities ◽  
Forward Looking

"Over the years, numerous ethical implications in stem cell research have been identified. Consequentially, there is a need to anticipate, prevent and/or mitigate these implications. In literature and in the guidelines of the International Society for Stem Cell Research some of these implications have been reframed into (moral) responsibilities. What exactly is meant by responsibility and which notions of responsibility are important often remains unclear. As a consequence, this encumbers the possibility to deal with these responsibilities in a systematic way. Therefore, the goal of this paper is to discuss how the concept of responsibility in stem cell research could best be understood. This paper addresses which notions of responsibility are relevant for the field of stem cell research. This will be done by first distinguishing between backward-looking and forward-looking notions of responsibilities, where backward-looking responsibilities are about reactive attitudes and forward-looking responsibilities are about what could be expected from someone to prevent ethical implications. Subsequently, ethical implications of and wrongdoings in stem cell research will be categorized in these notions of responsibility. Taking one step back and looking at the different notions of responsibility could help to identify gaps in responsibilities as well as to distinguish obligatory and supererogatory responsibilities. Consequentially, this informs how to prioritize, distribute and delegate responsibilities over the different stakeholders in stem cell research. This paper concludes by discussing the distribution of responsibilities and different strategies to promote responsibility in stem cell research. "

scholarly journals Stamselnavorsing en -terapie: ’n oorsig oor die uitvoerbaarheid daarvan met meegaande etiese implikasies

2008 ◽  
Vol 42 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
A. L. Rheeder
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Stem Cell ◽  
Stem Cell Research ◽  
The Body ◽  
Embryonic Cells ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Stem Cell Technology ◽  
Technical Problems ◽  
Ethical Implications ◽  
Stem Cell Lines

Stem cell research and therapy: an overview of its feasibility with accompanying ethical implications Stem cell research is a breathtaking technology where man’s own cells are used to effect a cure for certain ailments. Stem cells are specially developed cells that contain the ability to develop into any cell in the body and to cure or replace defective cells. Researchers isolated stem cells from the human (and animal) embryo, foetus, umbilical cord, and adult body and developed them to stem cell lines for therapy. Astonishing results have already been shown. In some instances research- ers achieved full cure or at least huge improvement in animals (and in a few instances with human beings) with diabetes, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases and auto-immune diseases. The broken spinal marrow of rats has also been repaired through this technique. The aim of this article is to give an overview of the technical feasibility and advancement of this field of research. It will become apparent from these facts that there are a large number of general and technical problems with the accompanying ethical implications, that will have to be resolved before this therapy can be applied. Problems that have been identified include the necessary destruction of the human embryo, the consideration of therapeutic cloning, the placing of human embryonic cells in embryos of primates such as apes and a series of technical problems in the development of stem cell technology.

Research guidelines for embryoids

2021 ◽  
pp. medethics-2020-106493
Author(s):  
Monika Piotrowska
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Stem Cell ◽  
Human Development ◽  
International Society ◽  
Stem Cell Research ◽  
Human Embryo ◽  
Human Embryos ◽  
Ethical Guidelines ◽  
Research Guidelines ◽  
Research Regulations

Human embryo models formed from stem cells—known as embryoids—allow scientists to study the elusive first stages of human development without having to experiment on actual human embryos. But clear ethical guidelines for research involving embryoids are still lacking. Previously, a handful of researchers put forward new recommendations for embryoids, which they hope will be included in the next set of International Society for Stem Cell Research guidelines. Although these recommendations are an improvement over the default approach, they are nonetheless unworkable, because they rely on a poorly conceived notion of an embryoid’s ‘potential’ to trigger stringent research regulations.

scholarly journals ‘n Ekoteologiese besinning oor die Christelik-etiese implikasies van stamselnavorsing en -terapie

2010 ◽  
Vol 66 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephan Hoffman ◽  
Johan Buitendag
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cell ◽  
Stem Cell Research ◽  
Human Life ◽  
Christian Ethics ◽  
Genome Project ◽  
Theological Reflection ◽  
In Vitro Fertilisation ◽  
Ethical Implications ◽  
The Human Genome Project

An Eco theological reflection on Christian-ethical implications of stem cell research and therapyThe new biotechnological context in which in vitro fertilisation, the human genome project, and stem cell research have become realities, confronts both society and theology with unique challenges. These realities compel us to revisit ethical questions regarding human life. The main aim of this study is to contribute to the transversal debate about Christian ethics, natural sciences and biotechnological development, from a post-foundational perspective. The research results do not aim to lay down ethical rules as absolute truths, but rather to reflect on different viewpoints, values, characteristics, virtues, moral narratives and perspectives with regard to these complex ethical dilemmas. The broadening of moral narratives, and the revaluing of relational Christiananthropological perspectives, are being presented as an alternative to the strict monolithically orientated ideas of truth, objectivity and reason.

Reflections on Governance Models for the Clinical Translation of Stem Cells

2010 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
pp. 251-256 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeremy Sugarman
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Stem Cell ◽  
International Society ◽  
Stem Cell Research ◽  
Human Embryonic Stem Cell ◽  
Ad Hoc ◽  
Embryonic Stem ◽  
Therapeutic Approaches ◽  
Governance Models ◽  
Gathering Data

Acentral promise of human embryonic stem cell research is the potential to develop viable therapeutic approaches to a range of devastating diseases and conditions. Despite excitement over such advances, there are scientific and medical reasons to be cautious as stem cells and their products are introduced into patients. In response to such concerns, the International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) as well as ad hoc groups and individuals have offered approaches to governance of this research. While there are similarities among these governance models and they are in principle easily endorsable, in this paper I raise a set of concerns related to their implementation, suggesting areas where gathering data may facilitate more appropriate oversight. Next, I suggest areas that seem to have been neglected as these governance models have been developed so that they may be on the agendas of those seeking to revise these models in the future. Finally, I describe how some of the concerns that have arisen in considering the appropriate governance of stem cell research may be useful in science and translational research more broadly.

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