According to Nancy Reagan, “Embryonic stem cell research has the potential to alleviate so much suffering. Surely, by working together, we can harness its life-giving potential.” The increase in understanding of what is possible with stem cells, has led the topic of stem cell research to become one of the biggest social issues of our time. Over the last couple of decades, it has come down to two main types of stem cells: embryonic and those derived from adults. This is where the lines are drawn and arguments break out, because of personal morals and ethics. However, most people feel that stem cells are a great alternative to other treatments - until the topic turns to embryonic stem cells, in which a human embryo must be killed in order to harvest these cells. This means that stem cells can be one of two things: 1) stem cell research could be the miracle cure we have been waiting for, or 2) it will it be the cause of World War III.
The field of stem cell research remains highly controversial because of its ethical and moral values. “Despite the news in 2006 that researchers had found a way to harvest human embryonic stem cells without having to destroy embryos, controversy still surrounds potentially life-saving stem cell research.” (Gruen, 2007). Due to the strong emotional responses to some of the subject matter by the pro-lifers and certain religions and politics in general, I will attempt to explain different sides of embryonic stem cell research (ESC). This study describes what viable embryos are and the issues connected with them. Are stem cells viable embryos? Can they ever be a human being? Stem cells are no more than a precursor for some type of cell. They are not tiny embryos nor can they ever become embryos. Are human embryonic stem cells embryos? Although stem cells of themselves are not embryos, they are pluripotent; they can develop into any cell or tissue of the body. They are not capable of forming a new individual, as a fertilized egg or single cell taken from a four-cell embryo might if cultured in vitro and placed in a uterus. Stem cell research has become a subject of political discussion in recent years because of its social and ethical implications, but what is the big controversy with stem cell research? Most diseases are caused by the death of healthy cells in a particular organ. Parkinson’s disease is caused by the death of brain cells that produce a chemical call dopamine and diabetes is caused by the death of insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. None of these organs can replace the cells that die. With stem cell therapy, these cells can be replaced. Researchers and scientists study stem cells to get a basic understanding of the process in cell development and disease. “The opposition of research on human embryos usually start and finish their argument with the claim that the human embryo is, from the moment of conception,a living, innocent human being. But the morality of using a being for research should depend on what the being is like, not on the species to which it belongs.” (Singer, 2001) This being of 64 cells has no brain and has never been conscious and can feel no pain. Take for instance researchers who do research on rats, the rats are not capable of preferring not to be in situations that are painful and frightening to them.
There are several approaches in researching stem cells. The two most common are by embryonic and adult stem cell research (Childress, 2004). Embryonic stem cell research utilizes fertilized embryos to extract stem cells from. It uses a process called In Vitro Fecundation (IVF). In other words, these embryos come from eggs that were fertilized at in vitro fertilization clinics but were never implanted into a woman’s uterus. These cells can grow in special solutions in petri dishes or test tubes in laboratories. Because stem cells are extracted from human embryos, a large about of opposition and issues are raised about its ethic...
"Stem cell research is the key to developing cures for degenerative conditions like Parkinson's and motor neuron disease from which I and many others suffer." -- Stephen Hawking
Stem cell research on embryos is a major moral dilemma. This research is called embryonic stem cell research. In embryonic stem cell research, a scientist takes an aborted fetus or embryo and takes its stem cell, which then destroys the fetus. When the embryonic stem cells are taken from the embryo they can multiply rapidly, making many more stem cells. The embryonic stem cells are very useful because they are undifferentiated. This means they can still take on any form or role of any type of cell the body needs. Taking embryonic stem cells from embryos is useful in medicine and treatments for diseases that as of now have no cures. The therapeutic possibilities include Parkinson’s disease, diabetes, heart disease, Alzheimer’s, stroke, spinal cord injuries, burns, arthritis and cancer. Embryonic stem cells work to help cure diseases because of the fact that they can turn into any cell type the body needs. Scientists can manipulate embryonic stem cells into the cells that their patients need. The major questions regarding stem cell research are is it morally permissible to destroy an embryo in search of cures of diseases? Those who are against embryonic stem cell research would argue that stem cell research destroys a potential human life. On the other hand, those who are for stem cell research would argue that genetic tests and stem cell research can help detect and find cures for diseases that as of right now have no cures. In embryonic stem cell research it all comes down to the question do we sacrifice a few embryos to possibly save millions of people with diseases? The answer is not black and white. There are always different perspectives. People look at situation a little different. Some say it is wrong to dest...
The study of stem cells in today’s biomedical world is heavily focused upon by the public. Stem cells have the ability to treat a wide range of diseases and conditions that millions are plagued with around the world. These cells transform into different tissue types provisional to their surroundings. The variety of stem cells serve to repair many forms of damaged human tissue. With that said, there is only one type of stem cell that can provide regeneration of any kind of tissue. The Embryonic Stem Cell (ESC) is the one cell that can change peoples lives forever. However, some may carry a dim view of the ESC. As their name suggests these cells are derived from embryos. This means, in order to acquire this type of cell from embryos, it would involve in the elimination of an embryo. Evidently, an abortion would have to take place. Since the subject of abortions has always erupted into debates, many people have been reluctant to take either side. With an option to finally put the suffering of mankind to rest, it has been brought to the attention of the medical world. Given brief knowledge of what stem cells are and where they come from, those affiliated with it are forced to make the ethical decision of whether saving an existing life is worth curtailing a potential life. Of course with this controversial issue there are people that are advocates for stem cell research and others are 100 percent against it, filled with fear and hatred of this new discovery. These cells are literally a matter of life or death, but can save lives ensuring them to be longer and healthier.
In American society today, we are dealing with an ethical dilemma about the use of embryonic stem cells. Technological advances have increased dramatically, which gives us the ability to experiment on developing human life from the point of conception all the way to birth. Americans are currently in everlasting debates about whether it is ethical or not to use embryonic stem cells to research possible treatments for diseases. There are many people in favor of this for the advancement of human beings, but also there are many pro-life individuals who are opposed because of the overall outcome of embryonic cells. In order for an individual to make a sound conclusion about embryonic stem cells, they should first know what a stem cell is and the different types of stem cells that exist. It is also important to get insight from other individuals or groups of people about different views such as how to distinguish when human beings start to exist or what standpoint they take on the destruction of an embryo. It also does not help that U.S Presidents implemented different solutions to the problem, which all leads up to the ethical dilemma that human beings are faced with.
A stem cell is a cell which can differentiate into any other type of cell in the body. It can become a blood cell, a liver cell, or even a nerve cell. The only problem with stem cells is that they can only be found in the bone marrow of living humans or the gonadal tissue of developing fetuses. There are many people who believe that stem cells are the miracle cure for cancer, Parkinson’s, and many other terminal diseases, but there are large groups of people opposed to the use of stem cells because of the means by which they are attained. This debate will go on indefinitely, because there are prodigious amounts of support for both sides of the issue. The many benefits of stem cells out weigh the ethical issues behind the retrieval methods.
Stem cells are undifferentiated cells, or cells that can differentiate into different cells. Stem cells are often divided into two different classes: embryonic and adult. Adult stem cells can turn into many, but not all, cells, allowing these cells to be used in the treatment of some problems. Because of this, adult stem cells are often considered “multipotent”. Embryonic stem cells can become any type of cell and any organ, creating great optimism in medical fields. Because of this, embryonic stem cells are often considered “ pluripotent”. Although there are great developments that can come out of stem cell research, there exist many problems that concern many, but not necessarily most, people. These include the classic arguments concerning whether or not an embryo can be considered “ human” and whether or not lawmakers have any right to prohibit or inhibit scientific development.
Imagine getting in a serious car wreck. You get bruises everywhere else, but have serious injuries to the spine. With today’s medical remedies, you might never walk again. But with the help of stem cell research and cures, a cutting-edge medicinal technology, things that seemed impossible are now within reach. However, as with all new medication, it raises some ethical questions and concerns, especially about the obtaining and use of embryonic stem cells versus adult stem cells. Consensual embryonic stem cell research is ethical and should be used in place of adult stem cells because embryonic stem cells are fresh and have no prior programming, the research will greatly benefit the human race, and embryos do not have a consciousness, therefore are not sentient.