Stem cells: Nursing professional’s scientific and ethical conception

Abstract

This study analyzed nursing students’ speech on the use of embryonic stem cells (ESCs) in researches and potential therapeutically procedures, by means of exploratory qualitative inquiry involving speech analysis. Ihe analysis suggested that, despite the conceptual bases on ESCs are relatively correct, the conceptions on their use in bioethical context were strongly based on information disseminated by the medias. Concerning the ethical questions, the speeches were ambiguous sometimes, even if it could identify them as either opposing or advocating the use of the ESCs in research and therapeutics. Ihe set of results suggests the necessity of the bioethics debate of controversial issues, like the ESCs, being incorporated in the agenda of the professional collectives so these represent legitimate bridges between the production of the scientific knowledge, the ethical discussion and dissemination of these information to society.