Abstract
The paper first briefly defines stem cell research in all its forms (embryonic, adult, umbilical). It next explores whether the young fetus should actually be considered a 'life-form'. The political portion of the paper revolves around President Bush's policies and California's Proposition 71. Finally, the argument is made that alternatives to embryonic stem cells represent the only moral choice, especially at this early stage of research.

From the Paper
"There are too many unanswered questions and unknowns when it comes to stem cell research, embryonic or not. There is promising research being made on adult stem cells and umbilical cells as we speak. Shouldn't these avenues be completely explored before we even discuss destroying another embryo in the name of science? I would think so. The greatness of humankind can be measured by its accomplishments, but accomplishments made without regard to morals can destroy us. This is the course we must avoid. We must not sacrifice life with blind hopes of scientific advancement. We must not sacrifice one life to cure another."

Tags:abortion, CLS, ethics

Abstract
This paper examines the debate between the East and West on the issue of safety on genetically modified food. The author looks at the argument concerning the food's safety, and possible effects on the human body, labeling of such products, and how the U.S. Food and Drug Administration use modified foods.

From the Paper
"The world as we know it is divided into two parts---the secular West and the cultural East. Both have different manners of living and while the West blooms in progress the East is more restricted as it looks for the morality and values behind the progress being made. In such a division controversies like genetically-engineered food bring home the difference as both the divides through the globe argue the safety of the food-albeit on different grounds. At the heart of the debate lies the argument that as yet, the effects of genetically modified crops and products on the human body are not known. However, there is no conclusive evidence of whether or not they can be harmful.."

Tags:east, west, FDA, poison, biotechnology, risk, label, population, health

Abstract
In this article, the writer first explains that a stem cell is a human cell that has the ability to divide itself a large number of times when placed in suitable environment, such as a laboratory culture. The writer notes that stem cell research implications are generally related to human health, and thus human stem cells are the focus of this paper. The writer discusses that many people are opposed to stem-cell research because of the need for using embryo cells, which can either come from aborted foetuses or from the umbilical cords of newborn babies. The writer then argues that, despite the concerns about stem-cell research, there are a great number of medical benefits that have already and may still come from stem-cell research and they far outweigh any potential negative effects. The writer argues that stem-cell research should not only be allowed to continue and prosper, but it should also be well funded and placed at a high priority among medical research fields.

From the Paper
" Stem-cell research has allowed researchers to learn more about how cells regenerate themselves, as well as how initial cells at the embryo stage of development later develop into specific cells with specific functions in the body. This research is very useful for informing scientists about potential treatments for debilitating diseases. Researchers working with stem-cells have become fairly certain that continued research with the stem-cells will lead to potential cures or treatments for diseases such as Parkinson's disease, by regenerating muscle and brain cells. The research is also promising in terms of generating treatment options for individuals with multiple sclerosis. One of the most exciting possibilities for stem-cell research lies in the field of developing organs from stem-cells which could meet the human demand for organ transplants and remove the necessity of finding matching donors. Thus, stem-cell research has the potential to save a remarkable number of human lives."

Tags:human, embryos, regenerate, replicate

Abstract
This essay first delivers a general overview of ES cell research. It then looks at ethical dilemmas from both sides with the aid of four ethical theories - Act Utilitarianism, Ethic of Care, Kantian Ethics and Moral Rights Theory. In addition, it addresses the personhood of an embryo. Finally, the conclusion unites the main themes in stating that ES cell research is ethical.

From the Paper
"The topic of embryonic stem (ES) cell research emerged in 1998, when James Thompson and his colleagues first derived the cells from pre-implantation human blastocysts [1]. Since then, ES cells have quickly become one of the decade's greatest philosophical dilemmas. Although this research has the potential to cure such illnesses as Parkinson's disease, diabetes, paralysis, and muscular dystrophe (among many other disorders) [3]; researchers? largest boundary is providing a concrete ethical basis for its continued study."

Tags:abortion, Parkinson?s, IVF

Abstract
This paper examines how using different sources of human embryonic stem cells for research raises different ethical problems and how experimenting on embryos created for in vitro fertilization but left unused, or embryos, created specially for research raise ethical questions. It provides a literature review to present the main arguments for and against using different sources of human embryonic stem cells and to learn about possible alternatives to human embryo research.
Outline
Introduction
Does Using "Spare" Human Embryos For Research Mean a Lack of Respect for the Embryos?
Is Using Embryos Created for Research Purposes Morally Worse Than Using Existing "Spare" Embryos for Research?
What Are the Ethical Problems Related to Therapeutic Cloning?
What Could Be the Alternatives to Embryo Research in Order to Avoid or Minimize Ethical Conflicts?
Conclusions
References

From the Paper
"The other two sources of embryos raise serious ethical questions, namely, whether using "spare" human embryos for research means a lack of respect for the embryos and whether using embryos created for research purposes is morally worse than using existing "spare" embryos for research. The application of the technique of the somatic cell nuclear transfer, in its turn, raises a question on what ethical problems relate to creating human embryos by means of this technique. For example, the polls in the United States show that there is quite a big public controversy over human embryonic stem cell research and therapeutic cloning. The polls also show that the public remains in the dark about the scientific issues related to embryonic stem cell research. "

Tags:genetic, engineering, tissues, organs, in, vitro, fertilization

Abstract
This paper discusses the genetic engineering field of reprogenetics. It covers the history and overview of biotechnology, reprogenetics current practices (from IVF to amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling) as well as potential future possibilities as well as bioethics and its implications on society.

Outline
Introduction
Biotechnology: Overview and History
Introduction to Reprogenetics
Current Practices of Reprogenetics
The Future of Reprogenetics
Bioethics
Conclusion

From the Paper
"The future of Reprogenetics is based around Genetic Engineering of the Germline (Silver, 2000). This essentially refers to the art of modifying or adding to, the embryo, any gene imaginable and any number of genes. Genetic Engineering of the Germline would allow parents to basically design their offspring, from physical characteristics to mental capacity, realising the concept of 'designer babies'. This technology has been used with increasing efficiency on mice, pigs and sheep. However, not until recently has it been considered possible to apply it to humans. This was largely due to quite a low success rate combined with ethical questions. Powerful new modification and screening technologies could allow scientists to overcome this low success rate. The question of ethics however, may remain indefinitely."

Tags:amniocentesis, bioethics, biotechnology, cloning, eugenics, ivf

Abstract
The paper begins with a discussion of severe arable land degradation and how genetic modification works. Various methods of genetic modification methods are provided, with references from scientific sources. The essay moves on to discuss impact of genetic engineering on maize gene pool and possible scenarios. Also mentioned is the down side of engineering plants to produce pesticides. Various fears of unknown effects from GMO are stated with case studies. Lastly, the essay addresses ethical and political reasons for and against GMO.

From the Paper
"Food is a crucial factor in supporting life on earth, but with the extremely fast rates of population growth, many wonder how long will it be before human consumption exceeds food production. Already, erosion and nutrient depletion has taken its toil on food production, with nearly 40 percent of the world's arable land seriously degraded (Robbins, 2001). In the early 1990s, a new science called Genetic Engineering came up with a possible solution."

Tags:engineering, genetic, gmo, third

Abstract
The paper looks at the anatomical origins of the neurotransmitters dopamine, serotonin and noradrenaline and their associated pathways, as well as the basic anatomy of the limbic system and its associated structures. The essay then goes on to explain that our brain is structured such that certain environmental stimuli can cause us to have positive or negative reinforcing experiences based on how our neurochemicals react in response to the situation. The reward pathways in our brain help to determine much of our everyday behavior, whether it may be the urge to eat, the drive to have sex or the addiction associated with mind-altering drugs. As such, we must receive appropriate stimulation and positive reward in order to function as individuals and be happy, or we are at risk of a reward deficiency resulting in negative emotions such as sadness or depression. There is also a discussion of how addictive behavior can be due to positive reward systems which have a very strong influence on the way we act.

From the Paper
"Happiness and sadness are two primary human emotions, and whilst more often than not caused as a result of external stimuli, they are largely determined by neurobiological processes that occur in the brain namely that of biogenic amine reward pathways. We have to stimulate these pathways adequately every day if we are to function well mentally, physically and emotionally. The experience of emotion is integral to who we are as humans. Darwin (1872 in Ekman, 1973) defined emotion as essential to the welfare of group-living species. Without emotion, we would be unable to be attracted to one another, reproduce, or interact socially, amongst other things. Emotions also have distinct motivational properties (Izard, 1971) and understandably, the reward system and its close association with pleasure plays a large part in determining our actions. "Pleasure is unquestionably a key factor in controlling the motivated behaviors of humans." (Kandel et. al., 2000 p.1007) Emotions are known to lead to specific behavioral patterns that determine the way in which we live our lives and influence the experience of consequent emotions, for example, happiness or sadness."

Tags:addiction, antidepressants, dopaminergic, hippocampus

Abstract
A study of gene therapy, which is the new area for expansion in medicine that holds a lot of potential while having its basic problems associated with all innovative technologies. The paper explains that the technology is still under development and subjected to considerable review but the products of gene therapy are highly in demand as medicine alone cannot hope to cure all diseases especially those related closely to genetic disorders. The ethics and the problems, technical and economical have been considered.

From the Paper
"The currently post-modern amalgamation of nations previously isolated, but now unified by the veins of modern express transport, entails a global society of different individual cultural strengths pooled together to create a single entity for the purposes of exploiting the maximum potential of human achievement. However, this event that has fortified the world's population with regard to economy and technology has unfortunately exposed mankind's greatest weakness, while it being, simultaneously, its greatest strength: the homogeneity of human biology. This allowed diseases, once secluded and endemic to certain geographical zones alone, to spread giving rise to pandemics. Therapeutic solutions in medicine has also exploited this homogeneity to create and mass-produce cures for the entire population, non-selectively."

Tags:ethics, innovation, medicine, problems, regulation, science, techniques, therapy

Abstract
This paper discusses the many uses of stem cells, especially in the area of juvenile diabetes, Parkinson's disease and cell regeneration. This paper explains how the fertilized human egg develops into stem cells and their various biological sources and how they are acquired for use in research, including the NIH guidelines. The author believes that stem cell research is so new that the scientists can only guess at what it will be able to achieve as well as what it will not be able to do.

Table of Contents
Introduction
Acquisition of Stem Cells
Opposition to Stem Cells Research
Limitations of Stem Cells Research
Conclusion

From the Paper
"Early research into the use of stem cells focused on two separate approaches. One involved the "control of gene expression", or determining when genes were active or inactive. The other involved the generation or new cells. Some recent research has combined the two approaches, looking at the possibility that gene manipulation could be combined with cell growth, further broadening the potential applications for gene therapy."

Tags:acquisition, opposition, limitation, replacement, therapy