"Five Policy Options for Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research: An International Perspective"

On March 11, 2004 Georgetown University professor LeRoy Walters delivered the lecture "Five Policy Options for Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research: An International Perspective" at Indiana University Bloomington. Professor Walters is a professor of Christian ethics and philosophy at Georgetown University.

Professor Walters' lecture was the Matthew Vandivier Sims Memorial Lecture sponsored by the Poynter Center for the Study of Ethics and the family and friends of Matthew Vandivier Sims.

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• Opening remarks
  
• Important area of research about the human embryo
  
• Cells' "magical properties"
  
• Five policy options for human embryonic stem cell research:
  Option I - To permit neither the derivation nor the use of human embryonic stem cells
  
• Option II - Don't destroy any embryos to create stem cells but if stem cells are there then it's permissible to use them
  
• Option III - It's alright, both, to derive and to use human embryonic stem cells but you have to restrict yourself to leftover or unneeded embryos from infertility clinics
  
• Option IV - It's all right to create human embryonic stem cells using embryos that are specifically created for research purposes
  
• Option V - Cloning for research purposes
  
• Positions on cloning
  
• Possible Option VI - Use the eggs
  
• Relevance of the public's thoughts and role of advisory bodies
  
• Professor Walters' position and thoughts
  
• Professor Walters' recommendation