Embryo-Safe Stem Cell Research

Researchers at Advanced Cell Technology, Inc. have found a new technique to gather stem cells. They took a single cell from an eight-cell human embryo, claiming that the process does no harm. The removal of a single cell isn't new, and has been employed in fertility clinics to test for diseases. Doctors and fertil- ity specialists do this before the embryo is implanted in the womb.

Human embryonic stem cell research is controver- sial because, with the present state of technology, starting a stem cell line requires the destruction of a human embryo and/or therapeutic cloning. Such re-

productive cloning can fundamentally devalue human life. Those in the pro-life movement argue that a human em- bryo is a human life and is therefore en- titled to protection.

Contrarily, sup- porters of embryonic stem cell research argue that such research should be pursued because the resultant treatments could have significant medical potential. It is also noted that excess embryos created for in vitro fertilization could be donated with consent and used for the research.

Although critics quickly pointed out that all sixteen embryos used in the experiment were destroyed. ACT, Inc. later admitted that scientists removed more than a single cell, and hence their destruction. In addition, scientists developed stem cell lines from only two of the ninety-one cells removed. An official of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops disapproved of the experiment, saying "it left no embryos alive, and solves no ethical problem."

 

14. Circle any additional unknown words/phrases in the article. In pairs/groups, use your dictionaries to understand the meanings. Write defini- tions to 3 of them.

sion.

15. Answer the questions to check comprehen-

1) What did Advanced Cell Technique, Inc. do?

2) What do fertility clinics usually do?

3) What is the position of the supporters?

4) And what are the critics doing because of the

3) Supporters of embryonic stem cell….

4) But critics quickly pointed out that…

5) An official of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops disapproved of the experiment, say- ing…

research?

5) What ethical reasons do critics disapprove stem cell research?

 

16. Answer whether the sentence is true or false. If false, correct the sentence.

a. Researchers developed a new way to har- vest stem cells from human embryos only a few days old.	T/ F
b. Fertility clinics have used this technique for years.	T/ F
c. Supporters hope stem cell research will lead to treatments and cures for many ill- nesses.	T/ F
d. U.S. Bishops criticized the experiment for the usual ethical reasons.	T/ F

17. Remember how the fragments were used, and complete the sentence from the previous text.

1) Researchers at Advanced Cell Technology, Inc….

2) Human embryonic stem cell research is con- troversial because….

18. Work with a partner to summarize the article

above in your own words in 3-5 sentences.

19. Translate the text about stem cells.

Стволовые клетки являются той основой ("стволом"), из которой развивается "древо" всего организма. На самых ранних стадиях своего разви- тия зародыш полностью состоит из стволовых не- дифференцированных клеток, затем начинаются этапы дифференцировки и из них образуются ор- ганы и ткани организма. Во взрослом организме стволовые клетки содержатся в небольших коли- чествах в крови и костном мозге и в еще меньших количествах во всех органах и тканях. Поскольку эти клетки могут преобразовываться в клетки лю- бых органов и тканей, они играют роль своего ро- да экстренной помощи: если где-то в организме неполадка, стволовые клетки направляются туда и, преобразуясь в клетки поврежденного органа, спо- собствуют восстановлению его функции. С воз- растом количество стволовых клеток становится все меньше, и, соответственно, восстановительные возможности организма снижаются. Так, когда мы

рождаемся, у нас в костном мозге на 10 тыс. кро- ветворных клеток приходится одна стволовая клетка. У растущих подростков стволовых клеток уже в 10 раз меньше. К 50-ти годам на 0,5 млн обычных клеток приходится 1 стволовая, в 70 лет

– 1 стволовая клетка на миллион. Из-за этого воз- можности человека по регенерации сильно огра- ничены. В результате страдает способность ткани к физиологической регенерации и к восстановле- нию после болезни или травмы.

 

20. Role-play: Assume the following roles and talk about the following:

1) Stem cells for Parkinson’s and Alzheimer's disease.

2) Stem cells for beauty treatments.

3) Stem cells for extending one’s life to 150 years.

 

Scientist: Stem cells will provide a real chance to cure diseases like cancer, Parkinson’s, and Alz- heimer’s. They may also extend life and allow older people a better lifestyle. It’s very important to support new research.

Politician: Stem cells may provide a cure to ter- rible diseases, but the price is too high--the death of unborn children! And some people will misuse stem cells for less important diseases. Funding for other re- search is better!

20-something: You’re healthy... now. Two of your grandparents developed Alzheimer’s early in life,

so you could develop the disease, too. Although you’re not sure if stem cells will provide an answer, we should invest in additional research.

 

21. Talk about the following questions in pairs/groups. Make a report or write an essay on these questions.

1) Is it unethical to collect stem cells if it means that an embryo will be destroyed? Why/ not?

2) Do you think these kinds of experiments are like scientists playing God? Why/ not?

3) What would happen if scientists could cure all diseases some day?

4) If your husband/wife had Alzheimer’s, would you want science to find a cure as soon as possible? What if it meant conducting stem cell research?

5) Who is right, those who follow religion or those who follow science? Why?

6) What will happen if stem cell treatment be- comes a reality? What about population, the rich and poor, etc.?

Unit 19 Cloning

Do you agree or dis- agree with the following statements? Why?

· People will some- day be cloned for spare parts.

· Cloning is a dan- gerous technology that should be illegal.

· The cloning of endangered animals will some- day be an important science.

· If my pet died, I would want to clone him.

· When I die, I want to be cloned.

 

1. Read and translate the text about cloning.