SSFT 212 Bioethics and Biotechnology

Bioethics

Ethical study of biological and medical practices.

Imago Dei

Concept of humans created in God's image.

Cultural Mandate

Biblical call for stewardship over creation.

Technological Society

Society increasingly controlled by technology.

Human Technological Control

Manipulation of human life through technology.

Abolition of Man

C.S. Lewis's critique of humanity's self-destruction.

Embryonic Stem Cells

Cells derived from early human embryos.

Cloning

Creating genetically identical organisms.

Chimeras

Organisms with cells from different species.

Transhumans

Humans enhanced by advanced technologies.

Euthanasia

Deliberate ending of a person's life.

Genetic Engineering

Direct manipulation of an organism's DNA.

Technosapiens

Humans integrated with technology.

Human Limits

Natural boundaries inherent to human existence.

Quest for Freedom

Desire to transcend human limitations.

Self-Defeating Project

Endeavor that undermines its own goals.

Dominion

Authority over creation as per Biblical teachings.

Human Nature

Intrinsic characteristics defining humanity.

Freedom for Some

Power dynamics affecting human autonomy.

Assault on Human Nature

Challenge to the essence of humanity.

Egregious abuses

Severe ethical violations in medical research practices.

Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer

Cloning method using somatic cell nuclei.

Dolly the sheep

First cloned mammal via somatic cell nuclear transfer.

Embryonic stem cell research

Research using stem cells from embryos.

Global birth rate

Current rate is 2.4; 2.1 needed for stability.

Reproductive cloning

Creating a genetically identical organism.

Therapeutic cloning

Generating embryos for regenerative medicine.

Imago Dei

The belief that humans are created in God's image.

Genetic chimeras

Organisms with cells from different genetic origins.

Bacterial transformation

Natural process where bacteria acquire genetic material.

Transduction

Gene transfer using viruses as vectors.

Genetically modified organisms (GMO)

Organisms altered through genetic engineering.

Gene therapy

Correcting genetic diseases via gene delivery.

CRISPR

Gene editing technique for precise DNA modification.

Designer children

Children genetically engineered for specific traits.

Tetragametic chimerism

Individual formed from two fertilized eggs.

Mirochimeras

Individuals with foreign cells from another organism.

Chimeric embryos

Embryos containing cells from different genetic sources.

Ethical concerns

Moral implications of cloning and genetic engineering.

Human gene profiling

Analyzing genes to select desired traits.

Commodification of humans

Treating human genetic material as a commodity.

Bio-patents

Patents on genetically engineered organisms.

HIV resistant babies

Children genetically modified to resist HIV infection.

Transplantation of organs

Using engineered organs for medical transplants.

Enhanced livestock

Animals genetically modified for improved traits.

Fluorescent protein gene

Gene from jellyfish used to create glowing animals.

David Bennett

Patient who received a CRISPR-modified pig heart.

Psychological association with God

The connection between fatherhood and divine identity.

Legal status of clones

Questions regarding the rights of cloned individuals.

Embryo transfer

Process of implanting embryos into surrogate mothers.

NIH

National Institutes of Health, funds biomedical research.

Chimera

An organism containing cells from different species.

Human-animal chimera

Hybrid organism with human and animal cells.

2015 Ban Lifted

NIH lifted funding restrictions on chimeras.

Bill Clinton

President who prohibited NIH funding in 2000.

George Bush

Limited stem cell research funding in 2001.

Bush's 2006 Urge

Called for Congress to prohibit human-animal hybrids.

Barack Obama

Opened public funding for chimeric research in 2009.

NIH 2015 Statement

Prohibited funding for human pluripotent cells in vertebrates.

Imago Dei

Ethical concept regarding human identity and dignity.

Ethical Concerns

Issues surrounding the morality of chimeric research.

Technological Ethics

Moral implications of advancing biotechnological capabilities.

Stewardship Mandate

Responsibility to care for creation and environment.

Stem cell

Cell capable of developing into various tissues.

Totipotent cells

Can produce any cell type or tissue.

Pluripotent cells

Can become certain tissue types only.

Nonembryonic stem cells

Obtained from adults or children donors.

Embryonic stem cells

Derived from embryos, totipotent if taken early.

Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS)

Adult cells genetically reverted to undifferentiated state.

Human embryonic stem cell research

Cloning used to create stem cell lines.

Sam Wood

First to claim self-cloning in 2008.

British Law on embryos

Requires embryo destruction after 14 days.

Embryonically derived entities

Term for cloned embryos created by Wood.

hESC regenerative technology

Failed to produce expected therapeutic results.

Somatic cell nuclear transfer

Method for cloning humans, challenging to perform.

Cryostorage of embryos

Storage of embryos from excess IVF procedures.

Ethical concerns for Christians

Harvesting embryos raises moral dilemmas.

Commodification of embryos

Viewing embryos as marketable entities raises concerns.

Potential donor coercion

Risk of exploiting vulnerable individuals for donations.

Cancerous tumors risk

Using embryonic stem cells may lead to tumors.

Francis Collins' view

Excess embryos can be ethically used.

Alternative stem cell sources

Placental, skin, and umbilical cord stem cells.

Autologous stem cells

Individual's own stem cells used for repair.

Adult stem cell therapies

Thousands have received treatments using adult stem cells.

Mesenchymal stem cells

Used for Crohn's disease and reconstructive surgeries.

Aging and stem cells

Adult stem cell quantity declines with age.

Embryonic vs. adult stem cells

Adult therapies show better healing and response.

ESC research community

Continues to advocate for embryonic stem cell studies.

Genetically modified animals

May parallel stem cell technologies for organ donation.

IVF and cryostorage

In vitro fertilization and embryo preservation techniques.

In vitro fertilization (IVF)

Combining sperm and egg outside the body.

Cryopreservation

Freezing embryos for future use.

Fertility drugs

Stimulate multiple egg growth in ovaries.

Embryo grading

Assessing embryos for successful implantation.

Sperm banks

Facilities storing donor sperm for conception.

Traditional surrogacy

Surrogate has genetic connection to child.

Gestational surrogacy

Surrogate carries embryo without genetic link.

Artificial womb technology

Supports pre-viable fetus to term.

Nanotechnology

Engineering precise molecular structures.

Nanoshells

Tiny particles targeting cancer cells with heat.