STEM CELL RESEARCH GUIDE

· Overview
· Library of Congress Subject Headings
· Keywords
· Reference Sources
· Print Books
· Periodicals
· Website Resources

OVERVIEW

Stem Cell Research has been a hot topic driving economic, political, scientific, cultural and religious debate for more than ten years. From the beginning of the research, scientists and their supporters have been and still are of the opinion that this research represents the cutting edge of medical science, promising revolutionary treatments and therapy for diseases, injury, birth defects, etc. While the opposition recognizes the potential of this scientific research, they are of the opinion that man is treading in areas not intended which they feel is both morally and medically unethical. The controversy is centered on the fact that most of the research is performed using cells extracted from living human-embryos, resulting in their destruction. I feel the range of information is a good balance (late 1990 through to July 2008) and interrelated. In selecting the information I approached it from the viewpoint of the average person who has some knowledge of this topic, but is not too sure where we are today on the controversy or advancements, if any.

In searching for credible information I was at a loss to interpret the highly technical medical inferences on this topic, which could be considered the weak areas of this research guide. The strong areas of this paper are the reliable resources that will provide current information on the status of this topic; as well as the approach (if any) scientists are taking today in order to address the moral and ethical aspects of this topic.

The decision to support or oppose the process that science deems necessary, will ultimately remain with you.

LIBRARY OF CONGRESS SUBJECT HEADINGS
BT=Broad Topic - NT=Narrow Topic

Embryo Transplantation
BT – Reproductive Technology
BT – Transplantation of organs tissues
NT – Blastoderm

Stem Cells
BT – Stem Cells
NT – Embryonic Stem Cells
NT – Hematopoietic Stem Cells.

KEYWORDS

· Stem Cells
· Embryonic Stem Cells (ESC)
· Hematopoietic Stem Cells
· Medical Ethics
· Pluripotent Cells

REFERENCE SOURCES

Kahn, Jeffrey P. Bioethics. World Book Advanced. 2008. 2 Aug.2008

Okie, S. Stem-cell research—signposts and roadblocks. N England
Journal of Medicine. 2005

Fukuda H., Takahashi J. "Embryonic stem cells as a cell source
for treating Parkinson’s Disease." Expert Opin.Biol.Ther.
2005 Oct;5(10):1273-80.

Editor: Pickett, Joseph P. et al. "clone,” The American
Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language: 4th ed.
Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2000.

Lagasse, Paul, “stem cell” The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.
New York: Columbia University Press, 2001–07.

PRINT BOOKS

Fox, Cynthia. "Cell of Cells: The Global Race to Capture and
Control the Stem Cell." New York: W.W. Norton & Co, 2007.

[Receiving a five-star review, it is referred to as “a stem cell
travelogue” since its author spent many years traveling around the
world, interviewing scientists, touring labs and documenting
discoveries while charting the social and geopolitical forces
affecting the stem cell race.] – Used Worldcat.com

Yount,Lisa. "Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering." Library in
a book. New York: Facts on File, 2000.

[It has a dedicated section on Human Cloning and Stem Cell
Research, as well as several other sections on related topics
(Received 5 Stars by Midwest Book Review.] – Used Worldcat.com

Bellomo, Michael. "The Stem Cell Divide: The Facts, the Fiction,
and the Fear Driving the Greatest Scientific, Political, and
Religious Debate of Our Time." New York: AMACOM Div American
Mgmt Assn, 2006

[There were 6 reviews…5 favorable and one received a low rating
because it claims to have taken a neutral look at the research and,
in fact, it has not; however, it is well written and would provide
the researcher an interesting view on how Stem Cell Research began]
– Used Amazon.com

PERIODICALS

Angelini, Paolo; Markwald, Roger R.. “Stem Cell Treatment of the
Heart.” Texas Heart Institute Journal, 2005, Vol. 32 Issue 4,
p479-488, 10p; (AN 19637639).

[This article is an excellent source to show the advancement of
stem cell research pertaining to heart patients. However, the
ethical controversy is ever present due to the use of embryonic
stem cells. To obtain this article I utilized accessed OCPL.org
and selected “Consumer Health Complete” which is powered by
Ebscohost. Typed in “Stem Cells” and the site offered 6 tabs
(e.g., All Results; Evidence-Based Reports; Fact Sheets &
Pamphlets; News; Alternative Sources; Videos & Animations).
I chose “News” hit enter and up popped 366 related articles in
increments of 10. The author also provided a list of keywords
along with an abstract and full text article. This article is
academic and peer reviewed…credible source.]

Fauber, John, SIRS Researcher and Author. Jan. 11, 2008.
“Embryos Survive Stem Cells’ Creation.” Milwaukee Journal
Sentinel (Milwaukee,WI). SIRS Knowledge Source.

Ogilvie, Megan. “Heart Cells Grown in Lab Breakthrough.”
Toronto Star (Toronto Canada). 25 April 2008. Newpaper
Article, copyright 2008. All rights reserved. SIRS
Knowledge Source.2008.

[I included this Timeline in Periodicals because it was offered
in my SIRS search for Stem Cells. This timeline is relative
because it provides brief blurbs, which show the progression of
stem cell research from 1954 to April 2008.] I felt it was
significant because while it shows the research the sequence,
it also offers other articles related to stem cell research.]

Fumento, Michael, Author. “No the Stem Cell Debate is Not
Over.” Copyright© American Spectator. April 2008, Vol. 41,
No. 3, pp. 56-59.

[Relates to the topic. This is the core of the controversy.
This would be one to follow.]

WEBSITE RESOURCES

GOOGLE (regular and scholar)
GOOGLE SCHOLAR
Yahoo.com

I think I've gone brain dead...most sites used were through
lbcc.com and ocpl.org...nothing out of the ordinary comes to
mind except the sources used through our libraries. Most of
the scholarly websites require membership.