Here is the synopsis of our sample research paper on Life-Extending And Life-Altering Technologies: Moral, Theological and Ethical Concerns. Have the paper e-mailed to you 24/7/365.
Essay / Research Paper Abstract
4 pages in length. The scientific and popular news media have heralded several "life-extending" and "life-altering" technologies, not the least of which include embryonic stem-cell research, cloning, genetic intervention and organ transplantation. While such technologies represent remarkable developments and applications of man's emerging scientific understanding, these technologies also raise critical issues with respect to the ethics, morality and economics of these technologies. Bibliography lists 3 sources.
Page Count:
4 pages (~225 words per page)
File: LM1_TLCTechEth.rtf
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Unformatted sample text from the term paper:
genetic intervention and organ transplantation. While such technologies represent remarkable developments and applications of mans emerging scientific understanding, these technologies also raise critical issues with respect to the ethics,
morality and economics of these technologies. The heated debate that currently rages around the issue of umbilical cord blood usage represents the medical
communitys worst nightmare come true: To have in its possession the ability to save lives through alternative means, yet colliding full force with shortsighted opposition. Useful umbilical cord blood
is being disposed of without first determining if it can be put to use in transplants and other medical procedures. The controversy: ethics, methods of acquisition, commercialism, storage and
ownership (Stevens, 1997). Even though cord blood has been proven beneficial in the fight to save lives, there is no denying how harvesting
umbilical cord blood carries with it a number of ethical considerations. First and foremost is the notion of acquisition; inasmuch as "the placenta is a discarded organ" (Stevens, 1997,
p. 19), it would seem a logical conclusion that no consent is necessary in order to utilize the rich blood source. Secondly, the concern over commercialism has the tendency
to overshadow the tremendously advantageous influence of umbilical cord blood for such diseases as oncologic, hematologic or immunologic in nature. "...How will profit be generated?" asks Stevens (1997).
"Should the patient, hospital, or insurance company be responsible for this profit? Is cord blood use considered selling an organ?" (Stevens, 1997, p. 19). Next comes the question
of ownership: Who truly has inherent rights to the umbilical cord blood? The infant? The hospital? The blood bank? Society?
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