Embryonic Stem Cell Research Ethics

The Ethical Considerations of Embryonic Stem Cell Research

1. America has always been a nation divided; something that is woven into the country’s very fabric. One of the most divisive issues is the debate over embryonic stem cell research. This issue boils down to a debate about what constitutes humanity, and whether something that could be considered unintelligent life should be afforded the same rights society has bestowed upon itself. Opinions surrounding this debate are often deeply rooted in religious dogma and scientific theory. Both sides believe strongly that they are fighting to save human lives and are desperate to do so at almost all costs. The high stakes of this battle make it difficult to stay neutral, and it is crucial understand

Wade. While Roe v. Wade allowed for legalized abortion, it also cut the ability of the federal government to use federal funds to further research on embryonic stem cells. Roe v. Wade is linked to the core of embryonic stem cell research because the government felt that acceptance of the research might encourage more women to have abortions. Critics of abortion are also often against research involving embryonic stem cells. In addition to the Roe v. Wade decision in 1973, a year later in 1974 the federal government placed a moratorium on federally funded research on embryonic stem cells among other things until national ethical guidelines could be established. A national Ethics Advisory Board was established in 1974; however by 1980 funding dried up, leaving a void in ethical guideline regulation. Oversight that was left over was then handed over to the national Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). In 1995 Congress officially banned federal funding for research on embryos, a ban which still stands to the present day. The big break in embryonic stem cell research came in 1998 when scientists at the University of Wisconsin isolated human embryonic stem cells for the first

These feelings come from the deep seated belief that embryonic stem cells are humans. This is where the real meat of their argument comes from. According to Robert P. George and Patrick Lee, “That is, from the zygote stage onward, the human embryo has within it all of the internal information needed—including chiefly its genetic and epigenetic constitution—and the active disposition to develop itself to the mature stage of a human organism.” Because a human embryo possesses the information to become a full grown adult, critics of stem cell research argue this makes the embryo human. Neither side is arguing that anything that qualifies as human should be treated immorally or unethically and therefore the assertion is that embryos deserve the same respect because they are human as well. Again it is important to note that the argument being made that embryos are humans is not due to the fact that they possess the full genetic code. Proponents of stem cell research are often quick to point out that somatic cells also possess the full genetic code, but they don’t take into account that somatic cells are not self-developing like embryonic stem cells. This ability to develop makes embryonic stem cells special. They are part of embryos and part of the human family. These live no matter how small should not be sacrificed. Human life should