Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research Essay

Through change and uttermost struggle, the people who care about a subject always seem to push through for what they believe in. For the sake of Embryonic Stem Cell research, the advocates tried their best to show the advancements stem cells may withhold, and for the people who disagree with the research, always seemed to put a new light on the subject, simply humanizing the research. Although the destruction of a human embryo is not something many people would view as ethical, it is something that could hold much promise for those who suffer from terminal illnesses (Sherley). When the miracle of assisting those who could not reproduce children through In Vitro Fertilization transpired the world of stem cell research was acquired (Tauer 924).

“How can the use of stem cells be so controversial?”, one may ask. If the stem cells are donated out of free will or were going to be destroyed anyway, how can putting them to better use be controversial? Sure, a potential life must be destroyed to save a life, but only before one can tell that it is a human. Should the use of stem cells for medical research and use be regulated? These questions and more will be discussed and pondered throughout this paper.

One of the most controversial topics these days is Stem Cell Research. There seems to be a split opinion among societies about the research and whether it is socially and morally acceptable. As a society, we need to open our minds to the possibility of broadening our scientific horizons with stem cell research, and take the time to learn and understand whatever we can about it.

Embryonic stem cell research is a hot topic of debate in our modern age, as scientific development continues to push the boundaries of ethics. The debates lies in whether or not it is helping or hindering society, as the procedure involves the manipulation of a human embryo.

In the past decade, stem cell research has gained popularity in the biomedical field. Many scientists believe stem cells could be the breakthrough tool that is necessary to change the way we understand medicine. The same scientists feel stem cells, embryonic in particular, open the door for many opportunities to cure diseases that are otherwise known as incurable. However, the benefits of embryonic stem cell research do not outweigh the value of a life that never gets to begin. While there can be benefits to stem cell research, embryonic stem cell research is unethical because stem cells can be found in other places, the research is not always effective, and it ultimately destroys a human life.

Embryonic Stem Cell Research holds the key to unlocking cures for many currently considered “incurable” diseases and even though Embryonic Stem Cell Research holds the potential to alleviate malicious disabilities, replacing harmful cancer cells and regrowing new tissue; with a little guidance from scientist. Embryonic Stem Cell Research is one of the biggest controversial topic centered primarily on the ethical implications of the destruction and use of the embryos during research. Since Stem Cells are the source of all tissues in our body, understanding how they develop and work will give scientists a better understanding in human biology, in health and sickness.

Opponents to stem cell research challenge that “demand for embryos may encourage laboratories to grow them for the sole purpose of research, in effect producing embryos with the knowledge that they will be killed in the process” (Preface to “Is Stem Cell Research Ethical?”). Because of the medical benefits of adult and induced pluripotent stem cells, the use of embryonic stem cells have decreased. To continue searching for more possible cures of stem cells, excess embryos to the “needs of in virto fertilization, rather than be destroyed, [] should be used for basic biomedical research” (Embryonic Stem Cell Research Fulfills Christian’s Duty to Save Lives). Although embryonic cells are one stem cell that researchers are exploring, these types of cells are not the only types. Researchers are exploring more alternatives to embryonic cells including the induced pluripotent stem cell and stem cells from other types of blood that have shown promising results and may soon end the testing on embryonic cells. In fact, in the case of Joe Davis, Jr. and his brother, the younger brother survived infancy. The treatment allowed both brothers to live healthy lives. “More than 90% of the work involving stem cells is not controversial,” the morals and ethics of using the embryo tends to be the deal breaker (A Beginner’s Guide to Understanding Stem Cells [analysis]). The majority of stem cell research is like most other treatments: there is some risk to the patient but the results of the procedure are projected to be worth it. As stem cell research becomes more popular, opponents challenge that “there has been a proliferation of websites offering dubious treatments, luring people with incurable diseases who are emotionally vulnerable” (What Lies Behind the Hype and Hope of Stem Cell Research and Therapy [analysis]). No matter what the treatment is, there will always be scam websites

Stem Cell Research has been a controversial topic to the public ever since its introduction in 1998 after a scientist James Thomson derived stem cells from human embryos. Stem cells are cells that have the extraordinary ability to “give rise to all cells and tissues in the body” (Holland, Lebacqz, & Zoloth, 2001). Stem cells thrilled scientists. They offered the potential in curing many diseases. They offered the ability to restore organs; one could save failing organs by injecting healthy cells into the damaged parts, this process is called regenerative medicine. Stem cells offered endless possibilities. However, the public didn’t know how to deal with it. They were conflicted on whether it was ethical to destroy human embryos or the miraculous

No medical advancement has ever been met with unanimous acceptance because it is in the nature of man to not only question the present but the future. Stem cell research currently presents itself as the nearest medical advancement in time of strong contentious social and political climate. The debates on the scientific, political, and ethical implications are intertwined in a discourse that practically leaves the United States at a standstill in amidst this scientific revolution. Some of the questions that seem to permeate this intersecting debates include what is a stem cell and what are the implications of the different type that exist? Also, how will stem cell research and use might affect the scientific and

Francois Rabelais, the famous Renaissance humanist, once said, “Science without conscience is the death of the soul” (Rabelais, Francois). Since the late 1960’s, this has been the stance for opponents of embryonic stem cell research. This is saying, if we are willing to take a fertilized embryo and kill it before it has even had time to develop, where is our conscience, our heart? We consider this form of stem cell research to be immoral and unethical. Scientists are looking for alternatives to this method of harvesting stem cells, similar to adult stem cell research, to provide a better, more humane approach to this breakthrough in science and medicinal therapy.

In recent years there has been lots of studying and scientific research regarding stem cells. Now there are people who wish to more widely implement it. I am arguing that stem cell research should be limited by the government because in many cases it is unethical and potentially dangerous. I will prove this by showing all of the ethical and moral standpoints, also the potential dangers with experimentation on humans.

In conclusion, stem cells are the tremendous promise to understand and to cure a verity types of diseases. They represent the powerful hope to remove the misery for thousands of patients who deal daily with a debilitating disease. As any new therapy, stem cells have many obstacles. A lot of things that scientists should learn to overcome the technical obstacles. Only Knowledge is their weapon. Stem cells research remains one of the hottest ethical debate over nations. Stem cells require an honest and a pure answer that religious people have to say regarding when human life begins. Stem cells covered with political gamesmanship, where some government’s implications limit stem cells research. There are many questions remain without answers: Will

Stem cell research is capable to cure many diseases, as well as eliminating donor organ rejection, which has been one of the medical difficulties. In spite of having these potentials, the research done so far has been problematic and resulted in more unresolved complication than success. As cited in Healey (2007, p. 25), Sherley (2006) stated “[t]hese defects [from stem cell genetic program] will certainly render tissues derived from them ineffective and potentially dangerous.” On the other hand, it has enhanced the level of study, for being able to provide a path for the study of early human development. Moreover, the trials for new drugs are accessible and early prevention for certain disease could be carried out. Clearly, the future of stem cell research cannot be justified in terms of its

Scientific research of all kinds is viewed by some as controversial, with one of the most controversial of these being the study of human stem cells. From the first uses of this technology there have been many who have fought to stop it. However, current advances in medical research have made it possible to reduce some of the negative stigma surrounding stem cell research and will lead researchers to develop new cures and other applications that could turn the health care industry further toward the current trend of preventative medicine. Much of the negative connotation surrounds the types of cells used and how they are harvested. New discoveries and techniques have allowed for alternate sources of stem cells and that research has led to new views of the cells and their functions. All of this has, in turn, led to new information about many genetic diseases and possible treatments using stem cells.

Stem Cell Research is the new frontier of Medical Science that the world so sorely needs. Every day thousands die from disease and disabilities that could be treated or possibly even cured through the use of stem cells; however these people continue to die as political and medical dignitaries argue over the ethics of the issue. The common “ethical issues” used to argue against stem cell research generally fall under the realm of religious constraints; however with the unresolvable differences between religious views, there will never be common ground on which the issue could be resolved. Even with the simplest scientific procedures there is always someone somewhere willing to argue the ethics, but their voice is overpowered by the benefits