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Do the advantages of stem cell research outweigh the disadvantages
Debate over government funding of stem cell research
Stem Cells moral dilemma
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Stem cell research is one of the most controversial topics of debate that has caught the attention of both politicians and scientists. Pro-life supporters feel the moral cost of continuing experimentation outweighs any possible benefits, however researchers think the potential of stem cells is both awe-inspiring and mystifying. To fully understand this debate a person must be informed on the stem cell research’s history and scientific details. Stem cell research has recently become a big topic, however stem cells were first found in the early 80’s with the discovery that stem cells are essential for developing organisms. Stem cells are non-specialized cells that have the potential to produce specific cells such as, tissue cells, blood cells, bone cells, brain cells, and etc. Although there are stem cells in adults the most potent cells are in embryos, which are typically taken from aborted fetuses between the fifth and ninth week. Experimentation on these compromised fetuses brings ethics in the equation; as a result sparking the controversy, is the practice of stem cell research ethical? Scientists support stem cell research because they believe it is the key to finding cure for many disease’s that could save people’s life. Researchers and scientists agree that stem cells can even fix aliments such as blindness and deafness. Through stem cell experimentations medical professionals have been able to successfully cure people from diseases that they believed were incurable. Many people are unsure of how this procedure works but in Karen Kaplan’s article “Stem cell treatment for diabetes”, Dr. Richard Burt explains, Stem cells have the potential to repair or replace damaged tissue or cells. There are three main sources for obtaini... ... middle of paper ... ...sica. "The Great Debate Over Stem Cell Research." Time 11 July 2001. Nickerson, Colin. "Studies cite new process for stem cells." The Boston Globe 7 June 2007. Kaplan, Karen. "Stem cell treatment used for diabetes." Los Angeles Times 11 Apr. 2007. Babington, Charles . "Stem Cell Bill Gets Bush's First Veto." Washington Post 20 July 2006 Peterson, David G. "What's proposal 2 about?" Central Michigan Life 29 Oct. 2008. Jones, David. "A Submission to The House of Lords Select Committee on Stem Cell Research ." The Linacre Centre for Healthcare Ethics (2000). Green, Ronald M. "The Stem-Cell Debate." 3 Nov. 2001. Google. CMU Park Library. 27 Oct. 2008 . Hodges, Mark. Destructive Embryonic Stem Cell Research. n.d. 9 Nov. 2008 .
The cells unique nature has scientists intrigued to do research with the focus of finding a way that these cells can be used to replace patients’ injured or diseased tissues. Advancement is made to all the three types of stem cells namely embryonic stem cells, adult stem cells in addition to induced pluripotent cells. Embryonic cells are the building blocks of an embryo that is developing, and can develop into almost all body cell types. Somatic cells are found in the body tissues. They renew and regenerate in healthy bodies. The third type which is induced pluripotent is genetically modified embryo cells from skin cells.2 Research on these cells are geared towards saving humanity; a noble course.
" An Overview of Stem Cell Research | The Center for Bioethics & Human Dignity."
...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?
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.
Francis (Ed.), At Issue. Should the Government Fund Embryonic Stem Cell Research?. Detroit: Greenhaven Press. (2009). (Reprinted from, n.d.) (Reprinted from Science Magazine, 22 September 2006) Retrieved from http://padme.cochise.edu:2067/ic/ovic/ViewpointsDetailsPage/ViewpointsDetailsWindow?displayGroupName=Viewpoints&prodId=OVIC&action=2&catId=&documentId=GALE%7CEJ3010587207&userGroupName=sier28590&jsid=67271fc8c381f89007dff41cfd3813e6
Reaves, J. (2001, July 11). The great debate over stem cell research. Time, Retrieved from http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,167245,00.html
Stem cell research must be performed in order for scientists to develop a method full capable of repairing cells. The benefits of stem cell research greatly outweigh the controversies. In the long term, increased ability to cure diseases would decrease the cost of healthcare globally. In the short term, a lot of money is needed to obtain the knowledge required to save lives. In the long run, stem cell research is worth the money spent. This is only achievable if stem cell stu
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
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.
Encyclopedia of Stem Cell Research.
Hirsen, James L. “Who’s the Victor on the Stem Cell Debate?” 7 Aug. 2001. 24 Sept. 2007 < http://www.firstliberties.com/stem_cell_debate.html>.
Anderson, Ryan. "Stem Cells: A Political History." First Things. First Things, November, 2008. Web. 10 Feb 2012.
Exploring the role of stem cells in cutaneous wound healing: Katherine Lau, Ralf Paus, Stefan Tiede.
The stem cell research controversy is one of the major headlines in bioscience and has been discussed and debated numerous times throughout the last decade or so.
Regenerative medicine also seeks to understand the ability of a tissue or organ to repair itself. Many adult tissue contain stem cells but are at times not functional or is impaired by disease. Using factors to activate and promote instrinsic repair in a diseased organ opens up whole new prospect for therapies targeted toward many degenerative diseases.[9]