JCN October-December 2007 - Sorting Through the Stem Cell Hype

Volume 24, Number 4 October-December 2007

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Personal or group study ideas.
Read the articles, choose your questions!

small box Stem Cell Hype:
Read Sullivan/Schoonover-Shoffner, pp. 182-189.
a. What are the limits of stem cell research? How does this compare to what is heard via the media?
b. What did you learn that helps to make the issues clearer? What questions remain? Where will you go for additional information?

c. What is your stance regarding stem cell research on embryos? Make a list of Scriptures that support your position.

d. Write a brief statement summarizing your thoughts regarding stem cell research and enhancement procedures.

small box Customer Service in Healthcare:
Read Rhoades, pp. 192-193.
a. What is the role of customer service in healthcare?
b. On a scale of 1-5, rank the service you generally provide. How does that compare to the institution for which you work? In what areas do you do well? Where can you improve?
c. What do you appreciate about good customer service? Where can you implement that in your work setting?

small box Enhancement Technologies:
Read Meyer, pp 206-211.
a. The author asks,"What could possibly be wrong with giving people the right to choose the treatments they want and can pay for?" What is your response?
b. Read Genesis 1:26-27; 1 Corinthians 11:7; Colossians 1:15, 3:10.What is the biblical view of how God views human beings?

small box Determined to Care:
Read Cangelosi, pp. 216-217.
a. Share a time when you may have faced a similar situation.What was the outcome?
b. What ethical questions come to mind as you consider how the nurses did or did not provide care? How do you reconcile your faith and your job when they conflict?
c. Read Matthew 9:10-12. Based on this account and others, how might Jesus have responded to the young girl? What surprises you about the way Jesus responded to those in need? How does that transfer to your care setting?

180 Thinking Through Ethical Dilemmas - Editorial

182 Sorting Through the Stem Cell Hype
Dennis M. Sullivan and Kathy Schoonover-Shoffner

Recent media reports imply amazing stem cell treatments are ahead for Alzheimer's dementia, spinal chord injury, Parkinson's, and other ailments. What does the evidence show? Learn more about stem cells, transplantation, current research, and the embryonic stem cell debate.

192 Hospital or 5 Star Hotel: How's Your Customer Service?
Scott Rhoads

New Testament Scriptures admonish us to be given to hospitality. These strategies help us reach exemplary hospitality in our nursing care.

194 Ready, Set,...Rest?
Carrie M. Dameron

Nurses are notoriously overworked and overcommitted. An ancient gift God gave to the Israelites can help us from becoming overwhelmed.

199 Gene Therapy: Restoring Health or Playing God?
Dennis M. Sullivan and Susan A. Salladay

Gene therapy for cystic fibrosis or to enhance intelligence? Advances in human genomics are opening up numerous possibilities-along with difficult moral and spiritual questions. How does Scripture guide us?

206 Striving for Perfection: Can We Go Too Far?
Kimberley R. Meyer

Medical enhancement technologies-cosmetic surgery, Botox, anabolic steroids, growth hormones-improve functioning and can help people live better lives. But are there unanticipated consequences?.

212 After Katrina: Riding Out the Storm
Wanda C. Dubuisson

In the midst of the mass destruction and loss following the August 29, 2005 Hurricane Katrina, God proved himself faithful to this nursing school.

214 Reflections on Katrina Recovery
Jennifer Cathleen Oehme Knepper

Are the words of Matthew 25 ringing true for the victims of Hurricane Katrina?

221 A Special Thank You

JCN would like to thank our editorial advisors and reviewers who assisted in the preparation of the journal this past year.

Departments

181 Etc.

Your letters, Announcements, Looking Ahead

Christian Ethics

216 Determined to Care
Pamela R. Cangelosi

Called to Teach

218 Bearers of Light
Sandra L. Jamison

Practicing

219 Privacy Please: A Patient's Perspective
Kristene Diggins

FAQs in Spiritual Care

220 What Are the Spiritual Needs of Those in Transition?
Mary T. Sweat

222 Resources - Nursing Ethics, Genetics, Internet Resources

232 PulseBeats - Syringe Labeling, Hospice for the Unborn, Nursing Most Ethical Occupation