Stem Cell Dialogues: A Philosophical and Scientific Inquiry Into Medical Frontiers

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Sheldon Krimsky

Stem Cell Dialogues

A Philosophical and Scientific Inquiry Into Medical Frontiers

Sheldon Krimsky

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English

Columbia University Press
23 June 2015

Ethics & moral philosophy; Ethical issues: scientific & technological developments; Bio-ethics; Biotechnology

Stem cells and the emerging field of regenerative medicine are at the frontiers of modern medicine. These areas of scientific inquiry suggest that in the future, damaged tissue and organs might be repaired through personalized cell therapy as easily as the body repairs itself, revolutionizing the treatment of numerous diseases. Yet the use of stem cells is fraught with ethical and public policy dilemmas that challenge scientists, clinicians, the public health community, and people of good will everywhere. How shall we deal with these amazing biomedical advances, and how can we talk about potential breakthroughs with both moral and scientific intelligence?

This book provides an innovative look at these vexing issues through a series of innovative Socratic dialogues that elucidate key scientific and ethical points in an approachable manner. Addressing the cultural and value issues underlying stem cell research while also educating readers about stem cells' biological function and medical applications, Stem Cell Dialogues features fictional characters engaging in compelling inquiry and debate. Participants investigate the scientific, political, and socioethical dimensions of stem cell science using actual language, analysis, and arguments taken from scientific, philosophical, and popular literature. Each dialogue centers on a specific, recognizable topic, such as the policies implemented by the George W. Bush administration restricting the use of embryonic stem cells; the potential role of stem cells in personalized medicine; the ethics of cloning; and the sale of eggs and embryos. Additionally, speakers debate the use of stem cells to treat paralysis, diabetes, stroke effects, macular degeneration, and cancer. Educational, entertaining, and rigorously researched (with 300 references to scientific literature), Stem Cell Dialogues should be included in any effort to help the public understand the science, ethics, and policy concerns of this promising field.

By: Sheldon Krimsky
Imprint: Columbia University Press
Country of Publication: United States
Edition: 1
Dimensions: Height: 229mm, Width: 152mm, Spine: 25mm
Weight: 510g
ISBN: 9780231167482
ISBN 10: 0231167482
Pages: 280
Publication Date: 23 June 2015
Audience: Professional and scholarly , College/higher education , Undergraduate , Primary
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active

Acknowledgments Introduction Harnessing Stem Cells for Regenerative Medicine Dialogue 1. Hope Dialogue 2. Why Is This Cell Different from Other Cells? Dialogue 3. The President's Stem Cells Dialogue 4. The Dickey-Wicker Enigma Dialogue 5. The Moral Status of Embryos Dialogue 6. Creating Good from Immoral Acts Dialogue 7. Circumventing Embryocide Dialogue 8. My Personalized Beta Cells for Diabetes Dialogue 9. Repairing Brain Cells in Stroke Victims Dialogue 10. Reversing Macular Degeneration Dialogue 11. My Stem Cells, My Cancer Dialogue 12. Reprogramming Cells Dialogue 13. My Personalized Disease Cells Dialogue 14. To Clone or Not to Clone: That Is the Question Dialogue 15. Patenting Human Embryonic Stem Cells Is Immoral and Illegal (in Europe) Dialogue 16. My Embryo Is Auctioned on the Internet Dialogue 17. Here Comes the Egg Man: Oocytes and Embryos.org Dialogue 18. Human-Animal Chimeras and Hybrids Dialogue 19. Stem Cell Tourism Dialogue 20. Social Media Meet Science Hype Dialogue 21. Feminism and the Commercialization of Human Eggs/Embryos Dialogue 22. Was My Birth Embryo Me? Dialogue 23. Embryos Without Ovaries Dialogue 24. My Cells Are Drugs Dialogue 25. A Clinical Trial for Paralysis Treatment Epilogue Notes Glossary Index

Sheldon Krimsky is the Lenore Stern Professor of Humanities and Social Sciences in the Department of Urban and Environmental Policy and Planning at the School of Arts and Sciences and adjunct professor in the Department of Public Health and Community Medicine at the School of Medicine, Tufts University. His research focuses on the links among science and technology, ethics and values, and public policy, and he is the author or editor of fourteen books, including Genetic Justice: DNA Data Banks, Criminal Investigations, and Civil Liberties, and 200 book chapters, journal articles, and reviews.

Reviews for Stem Cell Dialogues: A Philosophical and Scientific Inquiry Into Medical Frontiers

Krimsky's use of the dialogue method identifies, sharpens and advances both key points of debate and the breadth of issues being addressed. -- Ronald M. Green, Dartmouth College Krimsky is not afraid to introduce the latest, often hyped-up findings and unresolved controversies in stem cell research, and to offer well-balanced discussion of their implications for potential therapies. -- Hynek Wichterle, Columbia University This is a wonderful new approach to learn about stem cells and to think about their broader impact at the interface of society, policy, religion and ethics. Stem Cell Dialogues is highly novel, very engaging, and will open readers to new ways of thinking about the public stem cell debate. It touches on many controversial areas related to stem cells in a well-informed and engaging style. Krimsky is able to break down the pros and cons of each argument in a way that makes the stem cell conversation approachable and empowers the reader to draw their own conclusions. -- Jonathan Garlick, Tufts University Sheldon Krimsky's coverage of topics is impressive, much more extensive than other available teaching tools. His approach is remarkably balanced, accessible, and interesting. The dialogues are open-ended, leaving the instructor the freedom to develop different ideas in different directions in the classroom. -- Julia Pedroni, Williams College