Prompt: Why Stem Cell Research Shouldn’t be Considered Morally Unethical?
A brief introduction to stem cells; Stem cells are cells that are undifferentiated, or, simply put, a cell that has not yet been given a job, such as cells that create molecules. In recent years, scientists have discovered the potency that stem cells contain, due to their versatility. For example, stem cells could be studied and used to cure a man of liver disease, a child’s handicap, a woman’s breast cancer, etc…, etc…. One may now be asking themselves? “That’s great… then why are so many people against stem cell research? What could possibly be the drawback? “. You see, stem cells are acquired by human embryos, or, in Layman’s Terms, unborn fetuses. Take for
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Kinsley even uses his Parkinson’s as an example of the good stem cells can bring the ill if used properly. Furthermore, he explains that stem cells used in research mostly originate from abortion clinics, meaning that embryos were already “dead” to begin with, thus for the most part, the moral implications lie more with abortion, rather than stem cell research. To elaborate, stem cell research mostly uses that which can’t be born in the first place, instead of that which can. However, one must keep in mind that the embryos are already aborted mostly. Some stem cells still originate from the same place as the research, but, rather than blatantly using aborted embryos, they produce the stem cells, making them more immediately accessible and less controversial.
Speaking of life, much debate occurred over whether or not an embryo should be considered a human. Patrick Lee, and Robert P. George, two of these individuals, Lee, a professor, and George, a politician, have often collaborated on many articles about stem cell research, and have gone on record by agreeing that embryos are in fact human from conception(33-41). The two argue that, from conception, an embryo immediately strives toward purposeful development. They then go into the science behind this claim. For our purposes, we won’t go into the science behind said development, because there is too much information
Stem Cell research and its funding have caused a lot of controversy throughout the past years. Stem cells are cells that are present in all living organisms. These cells have the potential to grow into any type of cell, including blood cells, nerves, muscles, and pancreatic cells. Stem cell research is essential because of the beneficial aspects it has to offer. Stem cells could potentially treat conditions such as Alzheimer 's, Parkinson 's, birth defects, strokes, Diabetes, cancer, and help in the reconstruction of severely damaged organs. Although stem cell research withholds great potential for many medical advances, a lot of controversy surrounds the sources and methods of obtaining stem cells and the possibility of improper usage of the knowledge acquired from research and experimentation. It is necessary for scientist to continue research as well as recognizing any ethical issues that may be present.
Stem cells are a topic that may be unfamiliar to many people. Before the article is read, the reader knows that the author, Jean Peduzzi Nelson, is well educated on stem cells as she researches and studies stem cells at Wayne State University. This immediately establishes the writer’s credibility before she begins to propose her argument. Nelson’s background greatly strengthens her argument as it shows that she is an expert in the field of stem cells and allows the
Stem cells are cells with the potential to become any type of cell in the body. There are two different types of stem cells: adult stem cells and embryonic stem cells. Adult stem cells are very valuable and are used mainly to treat blood diseases, but sometimes adult stem cells from the brain are used to treat neurological diseases. Adult stem cells can also be difficult to recognize in the adult body. Embryonic stem cells are more flexible than adult stem cells and can be used for a bigger variety of diseases (California’s Stem Cell Agency,2011). Some people do not believe in the use of embryonic stem cells, because they believe they are killing future life. Despite the controversy over how stem cells are gathered, stem cells have undeniable
Stem cells were first discovered during an experiment with mice in 1981 ("Stem Cell Information"). Scientists extracted stem cells from embryonic mice, which led to the discovery of vitro-fertilization in 1998. Virto fertilization is used to conceive a child in a laboratory, for parents who cannot conceive naturally. The fertilized egg is then implanted inside a mother's uterus and a child begins to form. Without the discovery of stem cells, this process might not have been able to give parents the children they have always wanted ("Stem cells: What they are and what they do"). However, this is causing some controversy in today's society. Embryonic stem cells are obtained from embryos not placed inside a female. Researchers felt it could harm or even kill the undeveloped child, so they felt the only solution was to grow the fertilized eggs in laboratories. The embryos are grown in labs with consent from their donors. The stem cell obtained from these embryos are being used to benefit burn victims so they could grow healthy skin, people with spinal cord injuries so they could have the chance to walk again and even people with type I diabetes to help produce their own insulin. If these cells are able to be manipulated enough, there might even be a cure for cancer or any other heart breaking diseases wrecking havoc today (Mayo Clinic Staff). Stem cells are also
Embryonic stem cell research can be easily defined. A stem is defined as something that is developed from. A cell is defined as a microscopic living organism. According to Dennis Hollinger, "Embryonic stem cell research uses from the embryo's inner cell mass that give rise to each of the human body's many different tissue types"(1). In our modern day society, stem cell research has become a controversial topic. Several people strongly oppose the idea of the research, but many are struggling for the continuance of the program. Embryonic stem cell research should be allowed to continue because it aids in the search of cures for diseases, offers an alternative to discarding unused embryos from in vitro fertilization, and is supported by the
My first piece of evidence is according to Embryonic stem cell therapy “morally unacceptable,” Professor Harry Moore’s alternative view, says “An estimated 56 diseases have been treated with the use of adult, human stem cells.” Also according to Embryonic stem cell therapy best route, Josephine Quintavalle’s alternative view, says, “If transplanted these cells might halt and even cure patients of diseases such as Type 1 diabetes, Parkinson's disease or heart failure.” My reasoning for this is stem cells can cure various different
The stem cell controversy has been going on for many years. The two basic controversies surrounding stem cell research is whether or not it is morally justifiable, and if stem cells will ever live up to the medical promises. Most of these controversies concern embryonic stem cells more than any other stem cells. Embryonic stem cells are unspecialized, but have the ability to divide and make specialized cells like muscles, nerves, and skin cells. These cells are found in the early stage of human development. When the human egg is fertilized by sperm and becomes a blastocyst, which is basically a cluster of stem cells, the harvesting for embryonic stem cells begins. In order to harvest the stem cells scientists basically destroy the blastocyst. The embryonic stem cell is an efficient treatment for a variety of diseases that affect many human beings. Those diseases include Parkinson’s, muscular dystrophy, heart diseases, diabetes, vision and hearing loss, or even spinal cord injury.
Stem cell research and engineering is a widely disputed topic that often divides people in science, ethics, and religion. In order to fully understand the controversy surrounding this area of scientific research and discovery, one must be informed as to what stem cells are. In the article, “Human Embryonic Stem Cells: Research, Ethics and Policy”, stem cells are described as “primitive cells with the capacity to divide and give rise to more identical stem cells or to specialize and from specific cells of somatic tissues” (Wert 672). Essentially, stem cells can potentially provide an unlimited supply of cells that could form some or all body cells. This ability to transform into different types or all types of cells depends of the type of stem cell, which can be divided into embryonic stem cells and adult stem cells (Bishop 1). Embryonic stem cells are extracted from preimplantation embryos and are pluripotent, meaning they possess the ability to form cells of all tissues in the adult human body. Adult stem cells, however, are limited to what tissues they can transform into.
What if millions of Americans could have their lives changed for the better? This could be a reality if human embryonic stem cells research (HESC) was regulated and funded by the government. The reason for the lack of human trials is that many believe the use of stem cells is unethical. This combined with the fact that the process is extremely expensive, and it goes against many people’s religious or morals beliefs. Thankfully, under President Obama, the restrictions formally placed on the research have been reduced resulting in many scientific breakthroughs. For example, it is believed that diseases such as Parkinson 's, heart problems and even spinal cord injuries could be better treated or completely
The first point brought up is that you have to kill the embryo to harvest the cells. This is essentially killing a human being to benefit others. Another issue stems from this; using an evil means to secure a good outcome. Even though an embryo is killed, good is created from it. Many people could be saved from the possible cures created. This is, however, similar to when German doctors studied the brains of murdered Jews. They were convicted at the Nuremberg trials even though they were working for the “common good.” Today all results the Germans found are refused to be published because of the circumstances they were found in. Another reason that embryonic stem cell research is morally wrong is that the rationale used to say that an embryo is not considered a person “strips all human beings, born and unborn, of inherent dignity.” Embryos are not considered people but deserve “profound respect.” In this case, right and wrong it determined solely because of an act. Actions are considered moral if they increase benefits and decrease pain for the greatest number of people. If this is the case then what if killing a child in the Roman Coliseum helps 50,000 sadists permanently overcome depression at the expense of only one person experiencing pain? Does that make it
Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) are derived from a week old human embryo (blastocyst), often developed from unused in vitro fertilised eggs. They are pluripotent, meaning they are capable of undergoing directed differentiation and developing into a plethora of cell types. They have to potential therefore to cure a vast number of diseases, including Parkinson’s, diabetes, spinal cord injury and heart diseases (V. Rebecca, 2013). Those who support the ECS research state that the week old blastocysts are purely a cluster of cells, not a human being. However those who detest the research view the week old blastocysts as an embryo, a human life. This is where the parties differ in arguments and ethical values, therefore bringing about the heated debates.
Stem cell research has already identified potential diseases it could combat against; from Cancer to Alzheimer’s, Diabetes to Parkinson’s, Multiple Sclerosis to Huntington’s, and possibly many more. With such a wide array of possible beneficial outcomes of further researching stem cells, is it ethically sound? Or is this putting too much power in the hands of our scientist, who some believe are “playing god”? It is quite evident that there are great possibilities from further researching stem cells, but at what cost?
“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
Stem Cell Research is a topic that Americans feel very strongly about, making it a highly contentious topic in the U.S. . Those who support Stem Cell Research believe it gives ample opportunity for the discovery of innovative, and lifesaving medical treatments, and not all times results in the destruction of an embryo. Some supporters point out that stem cell research results in new information that could help improve the quality of life for those who are suffering from diseases currently without curesd, among other things. Furthermore, stem cell research could potentially replace animal testing. For instance, according to “Stem Cell” neuron replacement can be used as a treatment for patients suffering from Parkinson disease (stem cell 2016).
The phrase “stem cell” calls to mind images of controversy: Pro-life picketers outside abortion and in-vitro fertilization clinics, patients with chronic disabilities waiting on a cure, scientists in a lab experimenting with a petri dish. These cells offer unimaginable opportunities for regenerative medicine because they can retain the ability to differentiate. Stem cells are classified as either adult or embryonic. Embryonic stem cells can