The role of an expert discussion panel on shaping the views of the undergraduate in health sciences on the use of stem cells and pre-implantation embryos

Abstract

Introduction: There are four objectives to this paper: (1) To determine whether undergraduates enrolled in Health-Sciences studies agree with the use of human stem cells for medical research, treatment and genetic uses. (2) Whether they would consider the use of pre-implantationembryos for medical research. (3) Whether attitudes toward the previous two issues are linked to gender, field of study, transcendental/spiritual convictions and political biases. (4) A panel of discussion will modify their opinion. Results: The present study shows that, before attending a discussion panel session, media was the main source of information that the students had on the surveyed topics. A discussion panel was useful for clarifying respondents’ opinions on the explored items. Significantly, the discussion panel had an influence on those respondents who did not have a formed opinion on the explored items. Conclusions: A discussion panel is a convenient, but limited tool, in the shaping of undergraduate opinions on ethically controversial scientific matters.