Description
Book SynopsisA dramatic new way to explore controversial science: Socratic dialogues. These creative debates follow the nuances and complexities of stem cell research and emerging therapies for informed readers and newcomers alike.
Trade ReviewKrimsky's use of the dialogue method identifies, sharpens, and advances key points of debate and the breadth of issues being addressed. -- Ronald M. Green, Dartmouth College Krimsky is not afraid to introduce the latest, often hyped-up findings and unresolved controversies in stem cell research and to offer a well-balanced discussion of their implications for potential therapies. -- Hynek Wichterle, Columbia University This book presents a wonderful new approach to learning about stem cells and thinking about their broader impact at the interface of society, policy, religion, and ethics. Stem Cell Dialogues is highly novel, very engaging, and will open readers to new ways of thinking about the public stem cell debate. It touches on many controversial areas related to stem cells in a well-informed and engaging style. Sheldon Krimsky is able to break down the pros and cons of each argument in a way that makes the stem cell conversation approachable and empowers the reader to draw their own conclusions. -- Jonathan Garlick, Tufts University Krimsky's coverage of topics is impressive, much more extensive than other available teaching tools. His approach is remarkably balanced, accessible, and interesting. The dialogues are open-ended, leaving the instructor the freedom to develop different ideas in different directions in the classroom. -- Julia Pedroni, Williams College Well-researched and enlightening... Readers will come away with an understanding of the pertinent scientific, political, and moral dilemmas. Library Journal An important book for anyone interested in the issues surrounding stem cell research. Choice The inquisitive form certainly fits the subject, which is multifaceted and evolving. Health Affairs Evenhanded, eminently readable, up to date, educational, scientifically precise, powerfully researched, and very entertaining, Krimsky's slim volume is one that no scientist, policy-maker, ethicist, or intelligent reader should miss... Although the stem-cell debate is complex and heated, Krimsky has done more than anyone else to make it tractable, clear, and interesting. Hastings Center Report
Table of ContentsAcknowledgments Introduction Harnessing Stem Cells for Regenerative Medicine Dialogue 1. Hope Dialogue 2. Why Is This Cell Different from Other Cells? Dialogue 3. The President's Stem Cells Dialogue 4. The Dickey-Wicker Enigma Dialogue 5. The Moral Status of Embryos Dialogue 6. Creating Good from Immoral Acts Dialogue 7. Circumventing Embryocide Dialogue 8. My Personalized Beta Cells for Diabetes Dialogue 9. Repairing Brain Cells in Stroke Victims Dialogue 10. Reversing Macular Degeneration Dialogue 11. My Stem Cells, My Cancer Dialogue 12. Reprogramming Cells Dialogue 13. My Personalized Disease Cells Dialogue 14. To Clone or Not to Clone: That Is the Question Dialogue 15. Patenting Human Embryonic Stem Cells Is Immoral and Illegal (in Europe) Dialogue 16. My Embryo Is Auctioned on the Internet Dialogue 17. Here Comes the Egg Man: Oocytes and Embryos.org Dialogue 18. Human-Animal Chimeras and Hybrids Dialogue 19. Stem Cell Tourism Dialogue 20. Social Media Meet Science Hype Dialogue 21. Feminism and the Commercialization of Human Eggs/Embryos Dialogue 22. Was My Birth Embryo Me? Dialogue 23. Embryos Without Ovaries Dialogue 24. My Cells Are Drugs Dialogue 25. A Clinical Trial for Paralysis Treatment Epilogue Notes Glossary Index
