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Chapter 11 ethical and bioethical issues in medicine
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Have you ever seen a movie or read a book where they can tell what your child will look like or if they have a disease or birth defect. Or have you ever wondered how the world would be shaped if we could have clones or even erase genetic diseases. All of these things are theoretically possible with stem cell research. If we are able to reach this point what would we have to sacrifice in the process. To understand humanity would we have to sacrifice the values that truly make us human? What would the fail rate be if we are able to genetically enhance the human body? The first step to the research is to be able to have large enough cell colonies (a cell colony is where a group of cells are grown to be researched on) but even cell colonies can in many religions some include christianity, Judaism, and Islam they believe the embryo does not become human until 40 days. this is important because the next quote is talking about these facts given by many religions “I think we need to see the embryos as God sees us. In the eyes of God, we don’t seem like much” which is a quote from Eric Cohen, director of the Bioethics and American Democracy Program at the Ethics and Public Policy Center in Washington, D.C. ("Stem cells, through a religious lens") so Cohen is saying it doesn't matter how small the life is it's the fact that it could be considered a human life or that it can become human life is the reason we shouldn’t kill the embryo. Another point is if we are looking at it from God's point of view and tamper with or improve this embryo aren't we playing god, and no one should have that kind of power. Religion isn't the only point against stem cell research but the price of these procedures. the reason this is an argumentative point is that because of the price only the rich would receive this treatment. The cost for these would gradually or should gradually decrease as decades go by. another financial point is since World War Two there has been financial problems with the health care system. It would not help that most of the budget and focus has been not on curing it but the major focus has been to controlling
Are stem cells ethical to use in medical research? The most basic cells in the human body are stem cells. Because doctors use stem cells for medical treatment of chronic ailments, stem cells play an important role in human medical research. However, despite the benefits of stem cells in medical treatment, controversy surrounds the methods employed to obtain them. Should researchers continue to use stem cells?
Stem cell therapy is a controversial topic that falls on the list of things not to discuss over thanksgiving dinner, very much like religion and politics. While the potential of stem cell research and therapy stand to make leaps of progression in cures for disease like Cancer and Alzheimer’s; Pros, Cons and morality still surround the issue.
...ns of a morally questionable nature. It is necessary that our practices remain ethical and that we uphold the value of a human life, as this is the cornerstone of human society. Embryonic stem cell research is one such operation that forces scientists, policy makers, and the larger society to define what constitutes a human life and to find an answer to the crucial question: Is it morally acceptable to violate the rights of a human life for the for the sake of medical progress?
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
Benefits of stem cell research can be overwhelming. Today, millions of people around the world suffer from incurable diseases. Stem cell research could help the scientific community find a breakthrough in developing a cure. By observing stem cells develop into mature human tissue, scientists can better understand how embryos develop. “Normal” human development can be recorded. This knowledge can be used to help prevent birth defects, for instance.
A more recent discovery, made in 2014, stem cells are being created from cells of young mice, this involves taking mature cells from mice and turning them into embryonic like stem cells, this new technique has not yet been tested in humans.
...g stem cells destroys potential life, the benefit to the greater good greatly outweighs the destruction of potential life. In a perfect world with an unlimited amount of stem cells all diseases and illnesses could be cured. Those working in the medical world can greatly improve the quality of human life using stem cells. With stem cells, people will live longer, healthier, lives. Many diseases would be completely eliminated. However, only when scientists and doctors fully understand how to implement the embryonic stem cell, can all this happen. When the doctors and scientists have all of the lines they need, then they can cease destroying embryos to obtain the stem cells they require (More Ethical Stem Cells). The biological world and the field of stem cells specifically, require the support of the federal government as well as the people to make all this possible.
If we are not responsible for biotechnology and cloning, human nature can be altered into a new type of “human” or rather we will create something inhuman. Modern day biotechnology and cloning are advancing so quickly that it brings concern to human nature. With the rapid advancements, life may be able to be prolonged for eternity. Some argue that because cloning stem cells is beneficial to humanity, it is ethical.
Behind every misunderstanding and protest of science, there is an immense amount of research available to debunk the misconceptions spread amongst the public. This includes how necessary established and ongoing stem cell research and treatments are to life-threatening diseases and injuries. The research goes towards how stem cells can potentially treat cases involving Parkinson’s disease, cancer, and damage to the spinal cord. (Murnaghan, 2017)
From the discussion above it is very clear that there are different opinions on the pros and cons of stem cell research. Based on the recent researches, scientists have the capability to work out the alternatives for embryonic stem cell research. And the usefulness compare to embryonic stem cell remains unknown. Undeniably, the stem cell research issue has its most complex parts to be resolved and surmounted. But perhaps we can disclose the way to carry out stem cell research with the balance of bioethics and most importantly, do no harm for humankind one day.
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.
By applying research from cloning normal cells to cloning stem cells, a wider range of people can be helped, and the cost of procedures will be lowered. Scientific research into cloning will allow doctors study how to safely replicate
Stem cells offer exciting promise for future therapies, but significant technical hurdles remain that will only be overcome through years of intensive research. Stem Cells have the incredible potential to develop into many different cell types in the body during early life and growth. Scientists primarily work with two kinds of stem cells from animals and humans. The embryonic stem cells and the non-embryonic stem cells. Stem cells are the cells from which all other cells originate. In a human embryo, a large portion of the embryo’s cells are stem cells. These stem cells can be used for cell-based therapies. Cell-Based therapies are treatments in which stem cells are induced to differentiate into the specific cell type required to repair damaged or destroyed cells or tissues. Stem cells are versatile and offer the possibility to treat a number of diseases including Alzheimer’s, stroke, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, etc. The problem is that for the process of embryonic stem cell research and embryo will be destroyed if used. This raises a moral issue and questions of whether stem cell research is unethical or not.
Human Genetic Engineering: Designing the Future As the rate of advancements in technology and science continue to grow, ideas that were once viewed as science fiction are now becoming reality. As we collectively advance as a society, ethical dilemmas arise pertaining to scientific advancement, specifically concerning the controversial topic of genetic engineering in humans.
While I, along with many other pro-life advocates, believe that human life is set into motion the minute of conception, there is a major group of individuals who would beg to differ. They are strong believers that the embryo is only “potential human”. Many abortionists place confidence in the idea that the embryo is not to be considered as a full human, due to the idea that it is depending fully on its mother. Although this reasoning seems plausible, when analyzed a little deeper, that does not seem to be the case. Imagine the following scenario. A man is driving down the busy road on his motorcycle. All of a sudden, the man loses control of his bike and collides with a car passing him on the road. This man is then rushed to the emergency room where the doctors discover that, although blessed to still be alive, he is completely paralyzed. He now depends exclusively on the health care providers, family and friends for all aspects of his life which he used to be able to complete independently. Does this full dependence on others dehumanize him in any way? No. This man is still a human “by nature”. The paralyzed man’s situation is now comparably similar to the human embryos’. According to the textbook Basics of Biology, life starts at fertilization. This is when the sperm joins the oocyte. In order to distinguish whether an organism is living or not, there are several crucial char...