Neuroethics 7

Hey again! This week's topic is not only a neuroethics debate, but an overall scientific and humanistic debate. Should the use of embryonic stem cells be employed to treat and potentially cure many lethal diseases?

Not much research has been done on the topic, but a researcher down at CU-Denver in the Neurology, Neuroscience, and Pharmacology departments named Curt Freed was one of the first scientists in the world to successfully carry out a neural transplantation surgery on HUMANS for the treatment of advanced Parkinson's Disease. In doing so, Dr. Freed and his colleagues have taken cultured dopamine stem cells and injected them into the Substantia Nigra - Striatum pathways of various human subjects with overall success rates.

Should this type of research continue to be carried out? Are there any disadvantages to performing complex operations like these? What do you guys think about this form of treatment for Parkinson's Disease? Is it a huge advancement? Or is it too risky and bring up many other ethical concerns? Please read the articles (they are dense, so skim for main points and results!) and respond on the CU Neuroscience facebook page and the student journals by October 16th.

Neural Transplantation for the treatment of Parkinson's Disease

Transplantation of Embryonic Dopamine Neurons for Severe Parkinson's Disease

If you guys cannot access either of the articles, please let me know ASAP!!!!! I am typing this on a computer on campus, so I may be accessing articles that you cannot at home. Though I was able to print these and read them off campus earlier this summer before actually meeting Dr. Freed, so they should work. But just in case, please contact me IMMEDIATELY!!!!!