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Controversy of stem cell research
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Moral Acceptance of Stem Cell Research on Fertilized Human Embryos What is Stem Cell Research? Stem cell is a research is a new type of technology that is concerned with the study of primitive human cells. There are more than 220 cells in a human body including blood cells and brain cell and scientists and researchers are very hopeful about discovery of new means of treatment with help of these cells For decades, scientists and doctors have been studying the biology of the stem cells to understand how these cells work and how they can be used to treat various diseases and disorders like diabetes, heart diseases, Alzheimer’s disease and vision and hearing loss among others. As these cells can give rise to any tissue found in the body, they provide endless potential for medical applications. With help of stem cell research, the doctors are now able to provide treatment to patients suffering from leukemia, lymphoma, other blood disorders, and some solid tumors. It is important to know that human stem cells come either from embryos or adult tissue. Embryonic stem cells can be created solely for the purpose of stem cell research or they can be the leftover from other processes, such as from in-vitro fertilization (IVF). Fertility treatments usually result in multiple embryos creation and while only the most viable ones are used, others are left unused which can be either discarded or donated to others needing fertility assistances or even donated for research. The Ethical Issue with Stem Cell Research The embryonic stem cells are particularly easy to extract than the adult stem cells. Also, the embryonic stem cells are said to be more useful and effective than their adult counterparts. Much of the stem cell research debate cent... ... middle of paper ... ...s are favorable and s/he is health. Unless a human being is healthy, life is worthless. Life is only good with health and if stem cell research is doing a good job by protecting our existing and future generations from suffering and pain, it is only right that we should accept stem cell research as being morally right. We must know that the embryos will never be implanted in a healthy uterus and brought to term and see life as others. On the other hand, these fertilized human embryos are performing a far greater and noble duty, as they are being used for research that will bring a revolution into man’s life and improve life for the coming generations. The debate on stem cell research will never end between science and religion. However, for the sake of humanity, it should be morally accepted considering the great benefit stem cell research is doing for mankind.
Stem cells are the building blocks of the human body. Embryos consist of unspecialized stem cells that transform into the various specialized cells in the body such as cardiac, muscle or bone cells. Fetuses also have stem cells. However, the stem cells are divided into types like muscle, bone or nerves and don't perform a specialized function. Surprisingly, adult bodies also contain stem cells. In adults, stem cells are undifferentiated but limited to specific tissue type. When needed, the stem cells transform into the cells needed for repair and maintenance. The most common source of adult stem cells is bone marrow. Researchers also acquire stem cells from umbilical cords. Without stem cells, embryos could not develop into fetuses and adult
Stem cell research: Stem cells are cells that are at an early stage of development. This means they have the ability to turn into any type of cell in the body. Some research is currently focusing on whether stem cells can be turned into muscle cells and used to regenerate damaged muscle tissue (American Thoracic Society Consensus Statement, 2004).
Which is why discussing the legality of researching stem cells is complicated. Scientific discoveries and advancements in healthcare are some of the most important things on this planet. However, people's faiths and morals are important as well and must be respected. No one can say absolutely whether or not stem cell research is ethical since the answer stems from opinions. Whether you follow Divine Command Theory or Utilitarianism, both are simply opinions on what is right and
Because stem cells are essentially a blank slate, scientists are theoretically capable of growing any human tissue cell. There is enormous medical potential in this. Stem cell research is the next step in advancing the medical field. It is comparable to the discovery of penicillin or the inoculation for smallpox.
Stem cell research began in 1956 when Dr. E Donnall Thomas performed the first bone marrow transplant (“Adult stem cells are not more promising,” 2007). Since that time, research has evolved into obtaining cells from a variety of tissues. According to stem cell research professors, Ariff Bongso and Eng Hin Lee (2005), “Stem cells are unspecialized cells in the human body that are capable of becoming cells, each with new specialized functions” (p. 2). Stem cells are in various adult tissues, such as bone marrow, the liver, the epidermis layer of skin, the central nervous system, and eyes. They are also in other sources, such as fetuses, umbilical cords, placentas, embryos, and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), which are cells from adult tissues that have been reprogrammed to pluripotency. Most stem cells offer multipotent cells, which are sparse...
The conflict surrounding stem cell research is, with ethical consideration, whether it is a good or bad. The majority of Americans are advocates due to the possibilities of medical advancement, thus saving thousands of lives. Those in opposition believe that it is against
Stem cells are a type of unspecialized cells that can revive themselves through the process of cell division (Abdel-Salam and Oma, 2011). They have a phenomenal potential to differentiate into other specific cell types in a living organism. These cells can also be activated to turn into organ-specific cells or tissues with defined activity but only under specific experimental set-up. Stem cells have the ability to remain as they are or divide further to renew deteriorated and damaged tissue cells. Recently it has been discovered that stem cells can be used to treat Alzheimer’s disease, but still a lot of clinical trials are being conducted to find a specific government approved treatment.
As for me I believe that that embryonic stem cell researches should be used in the biomedical field because however you see the embryo as alive or not, the research will always go in the same way as one of the moral dilemma that says "duty to prevent or alleviate suffering" as it could help millions of people with incurable diseases.
Embryonic stem cells are derived from a four or five day old human embryo that is in the blastocyst phase of development (see figure 5). The embryo’s that are used for stem cell research, are extra’s that have been created in IVF clinics (in vitro fertilization), that are no longer needed. Embryonic stem cells are totipotent (cells with the potential to develop into any cells in the body). Scientists have discovered an alternative to embryonic stem cells, these cells ...
There are many different types of stem cells that are being looked at for research. These include embryonic stem cells, adult stem cells, and induced pluripotent cells. Embryonic stem cells are cells that have the potential to produce many different cells in the body. They are cells that are tak...
Monroe, Kristen, et al., eds. Fundamentals of the Stem Cell Debate: The Scientific, Religious, Ethical and Political Issues. Los Angeles/Berkley: University of California Press, 2008. Print
Those who favour stem cell research are optimistic about the continued developments in stem cell research will open doors to many breakthrough discoveries in biomedical science. The scientific and ethical questions arise as rapidly as the reaching of milestones in stem cell research. There are two main types of stem cells, namely embryonic stem cells and adult stem cells. Adult stem cells are undifferentiated cells in our body. But they have restricted-range of cells that they can further differentiate. On the contrary, embryonic stem cells have the ability to differentiate into nearly two hundred cell types in the human body, called pluripotency. The process of harvesting embryonic stem cells involves destruction of embryos (Mooney, 2009).
The wide range of prospective uses for stem cells could greatly improve the health and wellbeing of many people. In stem cell treatments, undifferentiated cells are programmed to form specific cells, which can then be transplanted to the afflicted area. Stems cells can possibly treat afflictions including “Alzheimer’s diseases, spinal cord injury, stroke, burns, heart disease, diabetes, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis” (“Stem Cell Basics”). Another important use is in drug testing. Drugs can be tested on stem cells that develop into the target tissue before using it on human test subjects, which improves safety. Finally, transplantation of organs created from stem cells could eliminate the need for human...
As Christians we are instilled with the belief that all life is sacred from the moment of conception. But what if science could develop a cure for degenerative diseases using research which contradicts the firm beliefs of the Catholic Church. Could you trade your beliefs for a cure? The research into stem cells is proposing this very solution to modern day society. As technology gets more advanced we are constantly gathering more and more information about the science of human life. With this in mind however, who gets to decide when the cost of breaching human rights and decency out weighs the benefits. Embryonic stem cell research takes excess embryos from in-vitro fertilization and aborted fetuses to conduct research. The research is invasive and leads to the death of the fetus. How can we as Catholic’s who are called to be socially just promote this research when it challenges our beliefs to such a degree. The research of embryonic stem cells is a desecration to the validity and sacredness of human-life and is therefore murder of human beings. The means of gaining material for this research promotes disrespect for the dignity of human life, murder, and also interferes with God’s plan for humanity.
Could you imagine being able to create new organs, tissues, muscles, and even food? With embryonic stem cell technology, believe it or not, these things are possible. Stem cells are the body's raw materials. Specifically, they are cells from which all other cells with specialized functions are generated. Under the right conditions in the body or in a laboratory, stem cells can divide to form more cells called daughter cells. These daughter cells either become new stem cells or turn into specialized cells with a more specific function, such as blood cells, brain cells, muscle cells or bone cells. The possibilities are almost endless. The debate and main issue with this technology is that the actual stem cells come from embryos. Embryos are an unborn or unhatched offspring in the process of development. Although there is controversy surrounding these cells, embryonic stem cells should continue to be researched and used, because they have so much potential.