An Analysis of the Ethical Practices of the  Medical Research Industry in the United States (1995-2002) and the Use of Cloning to Further Medical Science

 

 

 

Introduction:

 

On April 10, 2002, President Bush made a statement that “cloning is considered unethical and therefore detrimental to the protection of human life.”  (CNN, April 10, 2002)   The science community has already begun the process of cloning human life and announced last week the first birth of a cloned individual. (Yahoo, April 8, 2002).  The U.S. is about to decide whether the cloning of individuals is considered a moral and ethical choice in which to allow the medical research industry to have free reign in the cloning arena. 

 

Problem Statement:

 

The study will be undertaken to analyze the ethical practices of the medical research industry to determine the extent to which cloning is used to advance medical science.

 

Subtopics:

 

1.                  Is cloning a necessary practice considering the other medical practices currently in place?

2.                  Does cloning lead to the destruction of one life to save another?

3.                  Is cloning still too much in the infancy stages to warrant trying to create human life?

 

Justification Statement:

 

The purpose of this study is to discuss the issues concerning life and death and the impact cloning will have on the medical research industry.  The study is necessary to determine if medical science is willing to push the boundaries of medicine and research by playing the role of Creator with human life.

 

Scope:

 

The scope of the research will encompass the following areas:  cloning, medical research, sales of body parts for profit, stem cell use, embryonic cell use, and medical ethics.

 

The following limitations will be placed upon the author:

 

1.                  The report topic was pre-selected by the authorizer

2.                  The report will be limited to approximately 35 pages in length

3.                  The resource citations must be current (within the last ten years)

4.                  The author has access to any and all  material pertaining to the subject

5.                  The bibliography sources must be a minimum of 10 sources from books, magazines, government documents, academic journals, and periodicals.

6.                  The author has 8 weeks in which to complete the report

 

 

The following delimitations will be placed upon the author:

 

1.                  The author has a limited knowledge of the subject matter

2.                  The author will be limited by other obligations which curtail the research time spent on the report.

3.                  The author has access to the Internet and the databases accessible to students enrolled at CSULA

 

 

Methods and Techniques:

 

The research will consist of a thorough study of secondary research materials such as:  books, magazines, newspapers, trade publications, government documents, and academic journals.  The research will concentrate on the search for materials which have been published in the last ten years.  After an exhaustive research for secondary materials are completed, the author will attempt to include primary research if warranted.

 

Audience:

 

The audience for the Business Communication report will consist of two groups:  an oral audience comprised of BUS 305 peers and a written audience comprised of the authorizer of the report, the BUS305 professor.

 

Definitions:

 

*list here the key terms used in the scope area and define them.