Creating a Dialogue and Character Sketch
Directions: Take notes from your sources in the chart below. You do not have to compose complete
sentences. See my sample for more information.
Research question: _____Is stem cell research ethical?_________________________________
Claims:
Claim/Perspective #1:
Stem cell research is not ethical.
Claim/Perspective #2:
Stem cell research is ethical.
Major
Authorities:
Bioethicists, politicians, pastors,
right-to-life activists, some politicians, George
W. Bush, ethical philosophers, Christopher
Smith, Mark Johnson
Bioethicists, politicians, pro-choice activists,
some politicians, Barak Obama, ethical
philosophers, Michael Sandel
Support
(reasons,
facts,
numbers,
statistics,
studies,
analogies,
authorities’
statements,
examples,
hypothetical
situations,
personal
stories) each
offers for its
claim:
Assumptions
of each
claim (values
and beliefs
1. Stem cell research is often done from
IVF frozen embryos, which are human
lives (Smith).
2. “Adult stem cells may be just as useful
in finding cures for diseases “ (“Adult
Stem Cells”).
3. If these frozen IVF embryos were not
used for research, they have the
potential to be “adopted” and grow
into children (Smith).
1. Stem cell research is often done
from IVF frozen embryos, which
are not human lives, though they
have the potential to become
them (Sandel).
2. Adult stem cells are not as useful
in finding cures for disease (“Stem
Cell Basics”).
4. Destroying a few lives for the potential
betterment of many others’ lives is not
right (Smith).
3. Many of these frozen embryos will
be discarded anyway, so at least
those embryos should be used to
advance research that might help
people someday (Parkinson’s
Disease and Potential Cures).
5. Embryonic stem cell research, because
it destroys lives, devalues all life
(Johnson).
4. Destroying embryos, which at this
point are just clusters of living
cells, in order to potentially help
others is the right thing to do.
1. Human life begins at conception
2. Embryos are human beings at their
earliest stage or at least potential
human beings, and therefore deserve
5. Embryonic stem cell research does
not destroy lives, but values life by
trying find cures to diseases like
Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, etc.
(Sandel).
1. Human life begins somewhere after
conception during the growth process
2. Embryos are clusters of living cells that
may, if many conditions occur, grow
that underlie
each
perspective):
respect.
3. Destroying some form of life to save
many lives is not ethical
into human beings. Yes, they deserve
respect, but that does not mean
banning research on them.
3. Destroying some form of life to save
many live is not ethical
Character Sketch
Directions: Describe two different people from each side of the issue. You may discuss this with a
partner. Afterward, present your character to the class.
Claim/perspective:
Stem cell research is not ethical.
Stem cell research is ethical.
Name:
Christopher Smith
Michael Sandel
U.S. Representative
Professor of Philosophy
Republican
Democrat
Car make and
model:
Major in college:
Ford F 150 Truck
Toyota Prius
Law
Philosophy
Religious
affiliation (if any):
Christian
No affiliation
TV shows they
watch:
The O’Reilly Factor, 24, Meet the Press
This American Life, Meet the Press, LOST
Hobbies, interests,
or favorite books:
Fishing, Bible study, hunting
Gardening, reading, boating
Values and beliefs:
All human life should be protected and
nurtured.
People’s rights and health are of utmost
importance in most debates.
Profession/Job:
Political affiliation: