Despite advancements in the areas of bioethics and stem cell research, the public remains uninformed about the bioethical stem cell debate, according to a thesis by undergraduate research fellow Logan Boatman.
Boatman said those who do not actively seek out information about bioethics and adult stem cell research will be oblivious to what issues face them.
"I'd say the media has only given a very basic view of the scientific and moral issues at large. It doesn't really go into any depth," Boatman said.
Stem cells are unspecified "master cells" that the body can use to regenerate organs. Since they can be harvested from only embryos, the bioethics debate centers on whether those embryos are alike, said Wendy Covert, an '03 Aggie graduate who holds a bachelor's degree in chemistry.
Boatman, a senior history major from McKinney, Texas, said he was trying to find a middle ground between his major and his future.
"I have a personal interest in this. I'm a history major, and I'm going to med school so I wanted to combine those two interests," Boatman said.
"Stem cells are a pretty heavy-hitting issue in science today."
Boatman analyzed four major media outlets and how they portrayed the debate on stem cell research. In his study of The New York Times, The Washington Post, Time Magazine and Newsweek, he found their coverage leaving much to be desired.
"They haven't missed it entirely; it's more of an error of omission," Boatman said. "I'd like to see more attention paid to what's going on in science. Your typical article will merely rehash the whole debate without telling you anything new."
Boatman has worked closely during the process with his adviser, Anthony Stranges. Stranges said Boatman has been a pleasure to work with.
"I've had Logan for two classes: a history of science class and history of science seminar," Stranges said. "He's an excellent student; he speaks well, he writes well and his paper was exceptional. He's a an exemplary student all around."
Both Boatman and Stranges agree that an educated public is important because it determines the direction policymakers in Washington, D.C., will take.
"It's a sensitive issue. Most of the public is not really well-informed," Stranges said.
"There are so many misconceptions out there about what stem cells can do. It's total misinformation, and in many cases whoever speaks the loudest and longest, but not necessarily the best, will carry the weight."
Honors program executive director Edward Funkhouser said programs like the undergraduate research fellowship give students an edge in post-graduate studies.
"Students who participate in the honors program and become university undergraduate research fellows are able to 'test-drive' graduate school as they complete their baccalaureate degrees," Funkhouser said.
Barbara Gastel, professor of journalism, medical humanities and biotechnology, was a plenary speaker at the Sixth Undergraduate Conference In Bioethics 2003. She said Boatman's work will prove beneficial for his future.
"I'm very pleased to see that he did his thesis on this," Gastel said.
"Writing a thesis is a very valuable experience, and it appears he is addressing a very serious and important topic."
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