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WHAT IF YOU HAD TO DECIDE?
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If a cure for breast cancer costs tens of thousands
of dollars per patient, who decides which patients will receive the
treatment? Should tax dollars be spent on cures that might be accessible
only to the wealthy?
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A geneticist discovers an apparent genetic predisposition
of a certain ethnic group to violent behavior. Should the discovery
be made public?
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You need a liver transplant, but donated human organs
are in desperately short supply. The liver from a pig could save your
life. Would you be willing to be the first person to receive a pig
liver transplant?
What's right? What's wrong? Who makes these Tough Choices?
This Web site gives you the chance both to inform yourself on some of the
most challenging areas of research underway in Nebraska and also to share
your opinions on these issues.
THE PROJECTS
The Lincoln Journal Star: Published a special four-part newspaper
series covering
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Gene Therapy
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Stem Cell Research
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Xenotransplantation
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Cloning
Nebraska ETV: Produced a special live, two-hour discussion. A cross
section of Nebraskans discussed how our state's leaders should make the
"tough choices" relating to medical and scientific research. Joining
them were researchers, elected officials, and representatives of advocacy
groups to react and provide their input.
KMTV-Channel 3: KMTV's Loretta Carroll introduces you to the medical
researchers behind the discoveries and the people whose lives could be.or
already have been.changed by their breakthroughs.
BACKGROUND
The first great debate of the Nebraska Legislature in this new century dealt
with the unknowns of groundbreaking scientific research. The bitter discussion
concerning the use of fetal cells in studies at the University of Nebraska
Medical Center in Omaha made clear that these were not just issues to be
pondered by distant academics and policymakers in world capitols. The wide-ranging
research being conducted at Nebraska's state-financed institutions provides
hope for many while challenging ethical boundaries and fundamental spiritual
beliefs of others.
Researchers in Nebraska are deeply involved in projects concerning human
and plant genetics, organ transplantation, and the use of human cells in
their discoveries. Citizens of Nebraska still have much to learn about the
nature of this research. Our tax dollars help support it on the front end.
We rejoice or deplore the consequences on the back end.
Nebraskans need to ask: "Am I prepared to make these decisions?" The debate
is just beginning.
To foster civil public discussion of the medical and ethical issues
involved, the Lincoln Journal Star, Nebraska Educational Television
Network and Omaha's KMTV-Channel 3 in Omaha collaborated
on "Medical Ethics: Tough Choices."
On this web site:
- Stories from the Journal Star's Sunday series on Gene Therapy, Cloning,
Stem Cell Research and Xeno Transplants.
- Public opinion poll results on medical ethics issues.
- Video streamed versions of the broadcasts for the "Medical
Ethics: Tough Choices" project.
- Information about the reporters who worked on the stories and where
you can contact them.
- The schedule of broadcasts/air dates for the project and events.
- A discussion Board to voice your opinion and share in discussions
of issues related to medical ethics and decisions surrounding those
issues.
- References, educational resources and outreach directories for
more answers and support.
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