Embryonic Stem Cell Research Renewal

On March 9, 2009, President Obama signed an executive order ending Bush-era restrictions on using federal dollars for embryonic stem cell research. The President explained that:

"Today, with the Executive Order I am about to sign, we will bring the change that so many scientists and researchers; doctors and innovators; patients and loved ones have hoped for, and fought for, these past eight years: we will lift the ban on federal funding for promising embryonic stem cell research. We will vigorously support scientists who pursue this research. And we will aim for America to lead the world in the discoveries it one day may yield."

"... In recent years, when it comes to stem cell research, rather than furthering discovery, our government has forced what I believe is a false choice between sound science and moral values. In this case, I believe the two are not inconsistent. As a person of faith, I believe we are called to care for each other and work to ease human suffering. I believe we have been given the capacity and will to pursue this research—and the humanity and conscience to do so responsibly."

ProQuest has created a BookCart learning activity to help your students learn more about stem cell research and bioethics—"Stem Cell Research and Bioethics."

This and all BookCarts are complete one-stop learning activities for students. This saves time for more teaching and learning that too often is consumed in non-productive searching and evaluating relevancy.

Each Cart provides examples of essential questions that help students to develop critical thinking skills that are so necessary with the glut of dubious information posted on the Internet. Each also includes student directions, related print resource call numbers, an optional quiz, and an information literacy standard.

Contrast this to students having to corral and organize all the separate instructions and resources that typify traditional search assignments.

You can copy, edit, and adapt these models to differentiate instruction for your students.

• Open your eLibrary Science Teacher Edition
• Click BookCart Admin link at the top right
• Click the ProQuest Carts tab (800 ProQuest models)
• Type "Stem Cell Research and Bioethics" in the Search box
• Click the Copy icon in the Actions column to the right of the Cart
• Click the My Local Carts tab to return to your local collection

The BookCart should be edited to customize it for your students:

• Click the BookCart Title (it has "Copy of" as its prefix)
• Delete "Copy of" in the Title
• Type your name in the Author boxes
• Type your email address in the email box
• Edit the essential questions and any other text in the Directions box
• Scroll down and click Save button at bottom
• Click Return to My Local Carts

Assign students to write a report of at least 150 words that cites at least three resources and addresses the following essential questions for critical thinking (you can add to or substitute others):

• What are the major arguments against embryonic stem cell research and why?
• What are the major arguments for embryonic stem cell research and why?
• Why are other forms of stem cell research not as viable?
• What impact will the President's endorsement of embryonic stem cell research have on health and why?

Click the Topics tab > Science > Health & Medical Sciences > Medical Technology > Stem Cell Research

Use our custom ProQuest models for written and PowerPoint-style reports.