Renata Ortega Inquiry in Math & Science 1301 Tu, Thu 3:00 p.m.-4:20 p.m. University of Texas at El Paso CRN: 13493 Dr. Maribel J. Baeza September 7, 2023 Science: Popular vs Peer review Stem cell research has been a controversial topic throughout history and specifically within science. It has generated debate and great controversy in the medical and scientific area, giving people talk about its rules and how ethics can be applied to its use. Due to this, many people tend to draw even conclusions, trusting more in popular science without considering the peer review process, which leads to a chain of misinformation generating a lack of stability in academic articles. The research of stem cells leads us to an analysis of ethical issues. One of the main issues are the use of embryonic stem cells, arguing that is use is unethical because it destroys the blastocyst, which is a human embryo during the eighth day of development, whose practice violates human life while researchers highlight the incredible and potential medical benefits as understanding and curing diabetes as well as the Parkinson's disease. Apart from this, popular science has also been involved in said controversy. Popular science plays a fundamental role in disseminating information, being an interpretation of science in a totally distorted way that is easy to understand for the public. Unfortunately, this led us to jump into premature conclusions. Due to the complexity of the stem cell research all the popular knowledge related to it should be avoided to prevent misleading information. By the other hand, peer review is an effective and fundamental element in science to carry out a correct scientific process, making sure that all published information is rigorously evaluated. Peer review allows the scientific community to spread high-quality research materials with information that can be trusted. In conclusion, as stem cell research continues to evolve, it is essential to address the emerging ethical issues, critically evaluate popular science reporting, and enhance the soundness of the peer review process. Balancing scientific progress with ethical considerations, promoting accurate and balanced reporting in popular science, and strengthening the peer review system are crucial for the responsible advancement of stem cell research. By navigating these challenges, we can harness the full potential of stem cells while upholding ethical standards and scientific integrity. References Stem cells: What they are and what they do. (2022). Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/bone-marrow-transplant/indepth/stem-cells/art-20048117 Bishop, A. E., Buttery, L. D., & Polak, J. M. (2002). Embryonic stem cells. The Journal of Pathology, 197(4), 424–429. https://doi.org/10.1002/path.1154
