Ethical Theories of Embryonic Stem Cells

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Researching the future potential of embryonic stem cells is the new hot topic debate in ethics. The moral objections from two opposing sides clash in a political and ethical battle of who is correct. Each faction tries to define the classification of what deserves unalienable human rights. Likewise, determining what is classified as human behavior such as sentiment, interests and pain has been the ground on which pro-stem cell research stand. Since these embryos share only genetic similarities and no human characteristics, it is permissible to this stance to kill them in the name of medicine. On the other hand, anti-embryonic stem cell research believes that the human life begins at conception. Consequently, the status of the embryo is considered human and should deserve respect and rights the same as a human. In this term paper, two differing argumentative articles will be analyzed for ethical theories.
The reason researches in the biomedical field want to harvest and test stem cells are because of their unknown capabilities to perhaps cure Alzheimer’s, osteoporosis, cancer, heart disease and spinal cord injuries. Research has been slowed by differing opinions on the definition of the status of the embryo as morally or genetically human. Richard M. Doerflinger calls this difference of opinion a “confrontation between religion and science” (Doerflinger, 2010).Stem cell research is focused on embryos that are donated by couples who have created embryos through in-vitro fertilization (Steinbock, 2007). The question researchers, funders, politicians and citizens are asking is when does the human life begin? Furthermore, ethicists are looking to determine what makes something human the rights that it deserves.
One peer reviewed art...

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...tarianism, Kantianism and situation ethics. Killing innocent embryos in the name of medicine could benefit the greater good but the premise of killing the beginning of a human life is morally borderline.

Works Cited

Hollinger, D. P. (2001, 11 15). Stem Cells & Our Moral Culture. Retrieved from The Center For Bioethics & Human Dignity: http://cbhd.org/content/stem-cells-our-moral-culture
Saeed, H., & Iqtedar, M. (2013, September). Stem Cell Function and Maintenance- Ends that Matter: Role of Telomeres and Telomerase. Department of Bio-Technology & Microbiology, Lahore College for Woman University, 38(3), 641-649.
Smith, W. J. (2011, December). Building a Bridge Over Troubled Stem Cell Waters. Center for Bioethics and Culture, 11(12), 6-9.
Steinbock, B. (2007). The Science, Policy, and Ethics of Stem Cell Research. Reproductive Biomedicine Online, 14(1), 130-136.

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