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The National Coalition for Health Professional Education in Genetics was established in 1996 by the American Medical Association, the American Nurses Association, and the National Human Genome Research Institute. The site is committed to a national effort to promote health professional education and access to information about advances in human genetics.
The Genetics Resources On the Web site and search engine optimize the use of the Internet to provide health professionals and the public with high- quality information related to human genetics. Nurses with questions can contact Laurie Badzek, RN, MS, JD, LLM, with the ANA Center for Ethics and Human Rights, by phone at (202) 651- 7054, or e-mail lbadzek@ana.org.
For AAAS materials on stem cell research, go to www.aaas.org for links to several useful resources, including the main AAAS report.
The Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research is made up of nationally recognized patient organizations, universities, scientific societies, foundations, and people with life-threatening illnesses and disorders.
The International Society of Nurses in Genetics (ISONG) is at www.isong.org.
Information about stem cells and spinal cord repair is at www.themiamiproject.org. 1999
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Murray is against additional federal funding for stem cell research and believes research should not go beyond what current policy allows. “In all the research I have done, there is a lot more promise in adult stem cells or cord blood stem cells. ... They thawed [the embryo that would grow to be my daughter] two days before she was implanted into me. So she was alive. All I added to her was a warm place to grow, nutrients, and oxygen.” She argues that the available embryos are humans and should be saved for couples suffering from infertility.
Others feel quite differently. Cheri Gunvalson, RN, MSN, staff development coordinator for the Good Samaritan Nursing Home in Clearbrook, Minn., is pushing for anything that might help her son, who has a form of Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and others like him. She believes that stem cell research, including studies with embryonic stem cells, holds promise.
“I’d personally never have an abortion, but I would give my entire body to save my son. What is really most difficult for me is people like President Bush who are for fertility clinics and the production of 5-day-old blastocysts, which a large percentage are not needed and are going in the garbage,” Gunvalson says.
“For me, it’s hypocritical for a president to be for fertility clinics and against stem cell research.”
The 2004 presidential election won’t stop the debate on embryonic stem cell research, no matter who wins. But right now, patients and heath care providers on both sides of the issue are paying close attention to each candidate’s position. As trusted resources for health care information, nurses need to be prepared for questions from patients and families and, at the same time, formulate their own position on this issue.
Editor’s note: For information on the different types of stem cells, bioethical concerns, and current stem cell research, read the continuing education article online at www.nurseweek.com.
Lisette Hilton is a freelance health care reporter.
To comment on this story, send e-mail to editorca@nurseweek.com.
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