Chapter 3: The Life of the Cell
Fetal Cell Transplantation
In the Point/Counterpoint in Chapter 3, Thomas Longua and Professor Curt Freed, debate the ethics of the use of fetal cell transplantation. In the text, I asked you to summarize their views and consider which view most closely relates to your view on the subject.To explore the issue further, we invite you to check out the web sites listed below. As you examine each site, be certain to identify who is providing the information and any hidden agendas they might have. The questions posed below will help you evaluate the web sites and clarify your own opinion. Spend a few minutes reviewing them before you start reading the information posted at these sites.
Furthering the Exploration:
To help you evaluate the Web sites and clarify your own opinion, write down your answers to the following questions. Taking an active part in this exercise will help you prepare for discussions in and out of your class. - What new facts, ideas, and viewpoints, if any, did these web sites provide for you? How did they further your understanding of this? Did you find the issue to be more complex?
- Did your examination and analysis of the material affect your support of one of the two viewpoints presented in the text? If so, explain how and why. After reading the material, can you think of an alternative position to those taken by the authors? Explain it.
- Do you think that the information provided by all organizations and individuals at the web sites you visited was pretty reliable and unbiased? How much of it was scientific and how much of it was viewpoint based on ethics?
- As in many issues, certain words can bear a great deal of emotional weight. In this case, one side of the debate uses the term
- Reread one essay from a group in favor of fetal cell transplantation and one group opposed to this practice. Underline key words or phrases used to stir the emotions of the reader. What other techniques are used to increase the emotional appeal of each viewpoint?
- If you are opposed to fetal cell transplantation, are there any circumstances under which this procedure would be acceptable to you? If you are in favor of fetal cell transplantation, are there any circumstances under which this procedure would be unacceptable to you?
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