Stem cell research.
This programme examines the issues surrounding stem cell research. Despite being only 39, Stephen Cuff suffers from Parkinson's Disease. He can no longer look after his two children and basic day-to-day activities such as shaving, are near impossible. Conventional drugs have not been successful...
| Corporate Author: | |
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| Format: | Video |
| Language: | English |
| Language Notes: | This edition in English. |
| Published: |
[London] :
Teachers TV/UK Dept. of Education,
2005.
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| Series: | VAST: Academic Video Online
KS3/4 science ; 1-2 |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | Connect to this streaming video (Alexander Street Press) |
| Summary: | This programme examines the issues surrounding stem cell research. Despite being only 39, Stephen Cuff suffers from Parkinson's Disease. He can no longer look after his two children and basic day-to-day activities such as shaving, are near impossible. Conventional drugs have not been successful for Stephen, leaving him no option but to undergo brain surgery. Stephen's operation is successful, but his disease isn't cured. One potential future cure is embryonic stem (ES) cell therapy. This is being pioneered by the likes of Professor Ian Wilmut of Dolly the Sheep fame. Prof Wilmut introduces the concept of stem cells and the science behind them, whilst presenting his opinion for the technology. Alison Davies, the chair of No Less Human, herself a wheelchair user who would refuse ES cell therapy, offers a different ethical perspective as to why ES cells shouldn't be allowed. There's also the differing opinions of leading cell biologists presented at a recent stem cell conference. Teresa Bennett is a science teacher at Collingwood College in Camberley. During her lesson she tackles the controversial issue of embryonic stem (ES) cell research with her top-set Year 9 group. Using the example of Stephen Cuff, a young man whose life has been ruined by Parkinson's Disease featured in Stem Cell Research: The Issues, Teresa introduces the pupils to the idea that stem cell research could cure a host of diseases and conditions. She then explains how embryonic stem cells could help before opening up a debate about the ethics of this area of research. To help the pupils explore the issues without becoming too emotionally involved, Teresa chooses characters for them to portray. Characters include stem cell researchers, people like Stephen who could benefit from the research, and people who are opposed to it. Also present is Ralph Levinson from the Institute of Education who gives Teresa some valuable feedback on her lesson. |
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| Item Description: | Title from resource description page (viewed Mar. 5, 2012). |
| Physical Description: | 1 online resource (28 min.). |