Whether or not embryonic stem cell research should be permitted at all has been discussed in
the text. Even if it is accepted as ethical and government funding for the research continues,
additional issues remain.
What will be an ideal response?
1. One of the current restrictions on stem cell research is that donor couples cannot be
paid for donating unneeded fertilized eggs. Only stem cells resulting from IVF
procedures with excess fertilized eggs may be used. Researchers complain that they are
unable to obtain sufficient quantities of these eggs to complete their research. Could you
frame an ethical justification for allowing compensation to the donors that would alleviate
this shortage? If permitted, what restrictions would you place on payment, if any? What
arguments support the view that compensation should remain prohibited?
2. Women may be compensated for providing unfertilized eggs for IVF treatments, but not
for use in stem cell research. The state of New York in 2009 changed its laws to permit
compensation for these research purposes. Women are paid up to $10,000 for this
process, which can be risky and painful. Previously, researchers could only use eggs
discarded as of poor quality during the IVF process. Note that these are unfertilized
eggs. Bioethicist Arthur Caplan has raised concerns that poor women will feel coerced to
undertake this risky procedure just to earn money. Identify ethical arguments in favor of
this payment, as well as ethical arguments opposed to it.
3. Imagine that a member of Congress who has consistently voted against permitting such
research has a young child suffering from a disease which can now be effectively treated
because of the research on these stem cells. Would it be ethical for this member of
Congress to utilize this treatment for his child, despite his efforts to prohibit such
research in the first place? Would it be more consistently ethical to refuse treatment for
his child in this situation, even at the cost of the child's health and perhaps life?
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Carefully describe Aristotle’s views on the nature of the highest human good. What line of reasoning does Aristotle employ to discover this highest good?
What will be an ideal response?
According to Gilligan, in the view of most women, "the moral person is one who can understand and act in accordance with philosophical principles such as Kant's ‘categorical imperative'"
A. True B. False
According to Descartes, I can recognize I am imperfect only because I already have the idea of perfection
Indicate whether the statement is true or false.It is possible to believe something quite sincerely and yet not have the emotional strength to
act on that particular belief.
Indicate whether the statement is true or false.