Ethical Concerns Of Stem Cell Research

Stem cell research, one of the most exciting and controversial ethical issues in medicine today, continuously makes headlines with new developments. This topic concerns medical professionals, scientists, ethics forums, and even politicians, but many people do not know what to conclude from the controversy surrounding it. Dr. Elizabeth Crouch1, a genetics professor of the Biomedical Science Department of Texas A & M University, argues that it is vital that students entering medicine be educated about the ethical issues surrounding stem cell research. She explains:

There are multiple ways for stem cells to be obtained such as: Taking the cells from aborted embryos or fetuses, umbilical cords, adult tissues, or artificially creating embryos with a process known as a somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT). In this process “the nucleus of an egg is removed and replaced by the nucleus from a mature body cell, like a skin cell” (Arnes). Also known as cloning. However, creating embryos like this do not create stable stem cells. And taking stem cells from umbilical cords has the possibility to transfer unknown genetic disease and “has not yet demonstrated health and

“While we must devote enormous energy to conquering disease, it is equally important that we pay attention to the moral concerns raised by the new frontier of human embryo stem cell research. Even the most noble ends do not justify any means.” This quote comes from former president George W. Bush during a radio conference where he discussed his decision to allow federal funds to be used for stem cell research only in cases where the embryos were not harmed. While still in the beginning stage of exploration, stem cell research, and more specifically embryonic stem cell research, has become a topic of great debate. The ethics and procedures involved have come into question not only by the Catholic Church, but also by many citizens and even our presidents. The morality of this new scientific development lies in the way these stem cells are obtained. For scientists to acquire embryonic stem cells they must be removed from a destroyed embryo. For some this is just a small obstacle or nuisance in technicalities as to what a human being is, while for other it is seen as murder and the taking of a life before it even had a chance. Another reason the use of embryos is frowned upon is because of the alternate and successfully proven approach of using somatic stem cells, which do not require any human life to be harmed. The Catholic Church, being an institution of God and supporting all life, for obvious reasons cannot be a supporter of embryonic stem cell research because of the

With the possibility to cure all those diseases, no one should have an issue with such positive outcomes. Yet in reality, ethics plays a huge role against science research like embryonic stem cells. The embryonic stem cell treatments have cured some diseases such as vision loss and diabetes. In addition, the embryos that are used to research embryonic stem cells are not considered human and should not be considered as murdering a human being. Furthermore, with the possibility of receiving IVF

Stem cells are unspecialized pluripotent cells capable of renewing themselves through cell division and can be influenced to become specific cells with special functions. (Source F). It is no exaggeration to say that harnessing the amazing regenerative properties of stem cells will greatly aid the medical field in finding cures for debilitating chronic diseases. On February 1, 1961, Dr. James Till and Ernest McCulloch established The Foundation for Stem Cell Science and incredible advances have continued. The most recent happened on February 20, 2016 when stem cells were used to replace part of a human brain. (Source E). Their regenerative properties can be utilized to repair organs such as eyes for the blind, or hearts for those suffering with cardiovascular disease. Stem cell therapy can

“At its core, this issue forces us to confront fundamental questions about the beginnings of life and the ends of science. It [stem cell research] lies at a difficult moral intersection, juxtaposing the need to protect life in all its phases with the prospect of saving and improving life in all its stages.” George W. Bush in his address at the Bush Ranch in Texas precisely captures the essence of the issues surrounding stem cells. “Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that have the capability of self replication as well as being able to give rise to diverse types of differentiated or specialized cell lines.” (Stien). Researching these cells can lead cures some of the most devastating ailments. Despite the research’s vast

The medical advances of donor organs and organ transplants have made incredible leaps and bounds in recent decades. Today we can grow stem cells from normal skin tissues, but there are still ethical arguments against the practice of using stem cells for medical procedures. Being able to produce these stem cells from our body tissues is a huge bound forward in medical advances. With that, it is possible to create an organ for the individual who needs it; increasing the organ's viability and ability to be used; ensuring there is no damage or contaminates from donor organs. Now of course even lab-grown organs have its list of ethical backlash that it has faced in recent years. Medical professionals and scientists are already growing organs

Do you agree or disagree with the phenomenon of stem cells by taking ethical concerns into consideration? The state of stem cells will be able to regenerate medicine with ethical concerns being taken into account. I therefore agree that ethical values and concerns have to be taken into account with stem cell research. Do researches of stem cells include its history and success Compile a questionnaire Extract data from questionnaires Conclude from data results Evaluate the importance of the research and the usage of stem cells Stem cells are a class of undifferentiated cells that are able to differentiate into specialized cell types. According to Peter Crosta from Medical News Today (2013), stem cells come from two main sources: Embryos formed

Although there are endless possibilities, one of the key issues that has faced stem cell research is the ethical means of this method of research. As stated before, embryonic stem cells have the greatest potential to cure diseases, but they are also the ones that raise a key ethical question. That question is whether or not it is worth to destroy embryos and to put a mother’s life on the line to acquire these stem cells. There are multiple views on this topic, some people, mostly religious, believe that all life begins at conception (“Stem Cells” 1). This is the biggest problem facing stem cell research, and there is no clear or definite answer. Others, however argue that since the embryo is undeveloped and does not have a nervous system or

Stem cells have shown a lot of potential to cure many life threatening diseases like Diabetes, Heart disease, Parkinson’s disease and many others. The use of stem cells can highly benefit a lot of people’s lives and improve their health. Stem cells can be implicated into society in the near future, only a few more tests need to be done. They will have a huge impact on society and it will change the way the world uses medical assistance.

Stem cell research has been controversial since its development. Stem cell research has faced large opposition particularly from religious groups and churches and has been supported by various medical and research organisations. The major ethical concern over stem cell research is over the primary source of these stem cells. Stem cells can be obtained from embryos or from less controversial sources such as bone marrow. Groups opposed to stem cell research are mostly concerned over the destruction of the embryo in embryonic stem cell research. Embryonic stem cells are obtained from human embryo’s which are in the blastocyst stage. Stem cells are typically obtained from four to five-day old human embryo’s which results

The report gives a thought regarding the ethical issues identified with culture of stem cells. The feeling of the general population with respect to stem cells culture is considered in this assignment. This assignment gives a thought regarding the information collection technique and the investigation of the information. Ethical and religious issues related to stem cells research are discussed in this assignment. The task will comprehend the perspective of the people with respect to stem cell culture and will take choice about opening of the research laboratory.

Stem Cells can help science in many new areas of medical research. Science needs to pursue research that can have unknown

Stem cell research generates important and unique opportunities offered in the medical community to create major scientific advances. Adult and embryonic stem cells have the potential to treat and cure diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, spinal cord injuries, stroke, burns, heart disease, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, muscle damage, diabetes, and some cancers (Stem Cell Basics: Introduction). In 2001, 3,000 Americans were killed every day by these diseases according to Shane Ham (Human Embryo Experimentation 67). Laboratory’s studying stem cells scientist gain information about the cells essential properties and what makes them different from specialized cells (Stem Cell Basics: Introduction). These stem cells are different than specialized cells because embryonic stem cells could possibly help create replacement cells. The replacement cells are created to replace many different kinds of tissues and organs, like the heart, liver, and pancreas (Brown). Adult stem cells treat leukemia, heart

Stem cells can turn into many different types of cell, depending on the conditions around them. The cells around them send out chemical signals that tell the stem cells what type of cell to turn into. Some of these types include blood cells, cartilage cells, fat cells, nerve cells, absorptive cells, goblet cells, Paneth cells, enteroendocrine cells, follicular cells, epidermal cells, muscle cells, and neurons. In order to make specific cells, scientists change the environment that the cells are in. they do this by surrounding the stem cells with the desired replicated cell. In 1998, scientists discovered a method to derive stem cells from human embryos by extracting a mass of cells and then growing the cells in the laboratory.