Reference no: EM133222887

Question 1.

Do you favor or oppose the use of embryonic stem (ES) cell research for a person's own individual needs? For example, if a person lost a limb on the battlefield, needed bone marrow or blood or required a kidney transplant. Is it reasonable to bank ES cells for these purposes? What if the person wished to u the cells to re-grow hair on a bald head? What if someone wanted to share their cells with a family member for medicinal purposes?

Question 2.

Consider our dearth of knowledge with respect to the progression of early development. Although we have some knowledge using mouse embryo models, our overall knowledge is still lacking without a human embryonic model. Such research could be very helpful in understanding the optimal times for in vitro fertilization and minimizing miscarriages. However, these studies would undoubtedly require the use of more differentiated and developed embryonic model tissue. Should embryo models be treated legally and ethically as human embryos, now or in the future?

Question 3.

Recently, researchers have generated brain organoids that are three- dimesnional and can send rudimentary neural signals (action potentials) to each other and have even been able to vascularize (associate with the circulatory system). These models of the brain are very useful in understanding how unique brain functions originate and they are made with less controversial induced pluripotent stem cells. However, some bioethicists are concerned these organoids that become more and more complex may attain a state of consciousness and become "mini-brains". When is it legitimate to pursue these research avenues in light of damaging "self-aware" cells?