As mentioned in the last post one factor that affects the establishment of universal ethics guidelines are the inter-looped cultural differences. For example, in embryonic stem cells one of the biggest questions is what defines "Death."

     There are four main time periods where the definition of death shifts.

•      Cell Viability- 1month

•      Development Arrest- up to 4 months
• cell growth is stunt meaning that no further development could take place

•      Cardiovascular- 5-9 months
• Heart stops

•      Neurological- 7-9 months
• Brain can no longer function (brain dead)

http://euthanasia.procon.org/view.answers.php?questionID=000197

This article from pro con reflects some of the different descriptions of what death is considered.