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Teaching Guide
Stem Cell Research - A
Jewish Viewpoint
produced by Heschel Weiner
Weiner
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Introduction
Aim
Rationale
Goals
and Objectives
Audience
Prerequisites
Subject-Matter
Instructional
Plan
Materials
Assessment
and Evaluation
Appendices
Resources
Glossary
Introduction
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Aim
The purpose of this webquest is to
introduce the student to the issues concerning stem cell research with
emphasis on opinions of Jewish law and community.
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Rationale
Jews who are knowledgeable of the
issues related to stem cell research, especially in terms of those areas
of specific interest to Judaism and the Jewish community, will make
informed decisions vis a vis support and practice of stem cell research.
Stem cell research is an area of great promise in medical diagnostics
and treatment. Jews have historically been in the forefront of medical
research, discovery and innovation. Stem cell research is no exception.
Jews dedicated to promoting society's welfare are also concerned with
loyalty to venerated law. It is hoped that a consequence of engaging in
this webquest will help the student delineate and clarify those crucial
issues relative to stem cell research from the standpoints of both
contribution to society in general and allegiance to Jewish practice and
belief.
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Goals and
Objectives
After completing the web quest, the
student will be able to:
1.Define stem cells and how explain
the procedure in which stem cells are produced, harvested and
maintained.
2.Explain why stem cells are useful
and why scientists and society are interested in devoting a great deal
of resources to stem cell research. The student should be able to
provide specific examples of possible practical application of stem cell
research.
3. Know crucial issues of caution
regarding stem cell research from a societal standpoint.
4. Be familiar with Jewish Law (Halachik)
issues that affect stem cell research.
5. Be acquainted with authoritative
decisions made by the Rabbinate and other authoritative bodies of Jewish
communities as they relate to stem cell research.
6. The student should submit an
opinion of position regarding the Jewish response and support of stem
cell research. The position may be global or may multi- faceted.
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Audience
Users of this
webquest are high school upper classman and college age students to
adults.
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Prerequisites
For optimum benefit,
the user should have, at the very least, a ninth grade level knowledge
of biology and microbiology.
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Subject-Matter
Stem Cell research
(production, harvesting, storing, manipulation of and disposal of stem
cells)
Biblical sources in a
variety of areas concerning human life and sabbath preservation.
Rabbinical and other
professional responsa regarding Jewish law and issues as they relate to
Stem cell research.
Societal and personal
requirements regarding confidentiality and information accumulation and
dissemination.
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Instructional
Plan
Instructional Plan
1.
Students will be
allocated to groups of four each with the following functions:
a.
The
college student
presenting the report to the class. This function serves to organize the
group and prepare the final group report. The tasks of the college
student are:
i.
Take notes of
group meetings and conclusions, and keep all written/hardcopy
information organized in a folder.
ii.
Conduct daily
focus and follow meetings to ensure that the other students are
gathering their information and writing their individual reports. This
can be performed either in a group setting or on an individual basis.
iii.
Collect
individual reports generated by the other functionaries.
iv.
Conduct a summary
meeting in which the individual final reports are collected and a
synopsis of each functions issues and answers are summarized in the
group report.
v.
Agree on a
unified list of the most crucial issues and prepare a group position on
each issue.
vi.
Write a report
presenting :
1.
Basic facts and
information concerning stem cell research that the college class needs
to know to understand the presentation.
2.
A summary of the
crucial issues that need to be addressed.
3.
A brief summary
discussion of the various approaches to the crucial issues of stem cell
research.
4.
Take a position
as an informed Jew as to what the Jewish approach ought to be on each
issue.
b.
The
Rabbi. This
function serves to research the Jewish and Halachik (Jewish Law) sources
that will lead to an informed decision concerning whether or not Judaism
supports stem cell research. And if stem cell research is to be
supported; what are those guidelines, parameters and constraints that
must be considered and followed in developing a research program from
the viewpoint of Jewish law. The rabbi’s tasks are:
i.
Using the links
provided, find out the following:
1.
What mitzvot
(commandments) and/or prohibitions are encountered when researching stem
cell research research.
2.
What Halachik
opinions are offered to discuss issues regarding the
mitzvot/prohibitions delineated? What are the conclusions?
3.
What other
sources, classical and contemporary lend a Jewish viewpoint of
philosophy, if not halacha.
ii.
Write a “Rabbi’s
Report on Stem Cell Research encompassing the issues and answers
researched.
iii.
Provide an
appropriate bibliography
iv.
Discuss and hand
the completed report to the college student at the summary meeting.
c.
The
President of the United States. This
functions serves to research the societal issues that will lead to an
informed decision concerning whether or not America, as a society ought
to support stem cell research. And if stem cell research is to be
supported; what are those guidelines, parameters and constraints that
must be considered and followed in developing a research program from
the viewpoint of public policy. The politician’s tasks are:
i.
Using the links
provided, find out the following:
1.
What issues need
to be considered when developing a stem cell research plan, i.e.
a.
Religious
sensitivities
b.
Legal precedent
c.
Popular opinion
and activism
d.
Confidentiality
e.
Research and
procedural safeguards.
f.
Data accumulation
safeguards
g.
Data
dissemination safeguards
h.
Abuse of
technology and data.
i.
Use of
information by industry
j.
other
2.
What opinions, if
any, are offered to solve the above issues
ii.
Write a
“politician’s Report on Stem Cell Research encompassing the issues and
answers obtained.
iii.
Provide an
appropriate bibliography
iv.
Discuss and hand
the completed report to the college student at the summary meeting.
d.
The
Scientist. This
function serves to educate the college the student about the science of
stem cell research. The scientist will define stem cells to the student
and describe the procedure used to produce, harvest, maintain, study,
manipulate, store and dispose of stem cells. Above all, the scientist
must explain elaborate on the perceived and/or real benefits that stem
cell research will provide society. The Scientist’s tasks are:
i.
In layman’s
terms:
1.
Define stem cells
2.
Explain what it
is about stem cells that provide promise in the medical arena.
3.
Describe how stem
cells are obtained, stored and studied, and discarded.
4.
Describe medical
and scientific issues that affect stem cell research.
ii.
Use the links
provided to research the answers to the above questions.
iii.
Discuss issues
facing scientists regarding:
1.
Pursuit of
scientific knowledge
2.
Legal or
religious constraints to the pursuit of knowledge
3.
Need for
scientific discovery and innovation.
4.
Profit motives in
regard to stem cell research.
iv.
What stem cell
related discoveries in the last six months affect the issues raised in
previous years?
v.
Write a
“Scientist’s report” detailing the issues and answers gleaned from the
material research.
vi.
Provide an
appropriate bibliography
vii.
Discuss and hand
the completed report to the college student at the summary meeting.
2.
Information
gathered via the functions will be presented at the group level with the
goal of concluding with the unique Jewish approach to each issue raised
of Jewish concern. All issues raised may not be of Jewish concern. The
Rabbi’s issues surely are important. The group will determine as to
whether or other issues raised are of special interest to Jews.
3.
A final group
report is generated with the following elements:
a.
An introduction
to the perceived benefits of stem cell research.
b.
A brief
discussion of the science and procedure of stem cell research.
c.
General
scientific and societal issues concerning which positions need be taken
when developing a stem cell research program.
d.
Issues unique to
Judaism about which positions need be taken when developing a stem cell
research program.
e.
Develop a “Jewish
approach” to stem cell research.
4.
Four reports are
submitted to the instructor for evaluation.
a.
The college
student’s overall “Jewish Position” report.
b.
The Rabbi’s
report.
c.
The President's
report.
d.
The Scientist’s
report.
5.
Each report is
evaluated in terms of its clarity, completeness, and organization.
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Materials
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Assessment and
Evaluation
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Appendices (optional,
if needed)
Resources
Glossary
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