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?
First, it is necessary to explore the background of stem cells and answer the questions that everyday people aren’t sure about. In the UK a recent study showed that 90% of adults aged 16+ had heard of “stem cells” but only 34%
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Plus the potential of stem cells are so vast that this may just be the tip of the iceberg. “Stem cell transplants have already changed—and saved—thousands of lives around the world. They have already been used to treat more than 75 diseases, including numerous types of malignancies, anaemia’s, inherited metabolic disorders and deficiencies of the immune system.” (Stem Cell Research News, 2010)
Stem cells have not only treated many diseases but have shown the potential to treat many more.
Stem cell research into heart disease has shown some very promising results. The potential method in using stem cells to treat heart disease is by replacing all of the damaged heart tissue with healthy
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Some believe that the benefit is much greater than the ethical problems and therefore, further developing our stem cell research is a must; “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. The fact that the cells may come from embryos is not an objection, because the embryos are going to die anyway.” (Hawkings, 2006)
However, many people who believe that life starts from the moment of conception are against embryonic stem cell research because they view the destruction of the blastocyst as ‘murder’. While others believe stem cell research is putting too much power in the hands of our scientist, who they believe are “playing god”?
Stem cell research may solve many medical problems and cure diseases. Cancer to Alzheimer’s, Diabetes to Parkinson’s, Multiple Sclerosis to Huntington’s, and possibly many more may all be solved by further stem cell research. But stem cell research may not be the “miracle” cure some hope it may be. If the research ends up showing us nothing, imagine how much time, money, and effort was wasted when it could’ve been spent on other treatment. With the uncertainty of stem cell research and the moral and ethical minefield we have to ask ourselves if it is all really worth
If we were unable to research or experiment to better our society, we would not be anywhere near where we currently are in the medical world. The benefits of stem cell research really could push us that much more forward and get us that much closer to possibly finding cures for incurable diseases. This is a huge milestone for science and should continue to be researched. However, no matter the benefits stem cell research has and will remain an ethical debate for many years to come. We need to be able to open our mind to all the opportunities that stem cell research could generate instead of automatically jumping to conclusions regarding
Stem cell research has been quite a controversial topic since its origin in the 1960s by Gopal Das and Joseph Altman. Of course, anything that uses a human embryo would be. Stem cell research could open a vast number of new doors for modern science, it could let us test new drugs, one of which could be the unfound cure for AIDS or Alzheimer’s disease. However, this branch of science comes at a high price, the price of a human life that is only five to six days
Do the benefits of stem cell research and more specifically embryonic stem cell therapy outweigh the ethical controversies? Answer/Thesis Claim: Stem cell research and therapy is a promising field being held back by ethical issue. Stem cells are a regenerative medicine that can cure numerous diseases such as, cancer, diabetes, leukemia. The main ethical question society presents is, when does life start and what is ethical? The future of medicine and abolishment of diseases is being halted by ethical stigmas, once society accepts this form of regenerative medicine disease control and abolishment will be available.
Medicine has evolved tremendously over the past few centuries, but there are still many bodily conditions that are yet to be treatable. However, the use of adult stem cells is proving to be an extremely effective method to cure a wide range of medical disorders. While little funding is available for stem cell research, the outcomes are beginning to look promising. In the article, “Adult Stem Cells Are Already Curing Diseases,” Jean Peduzzi Nelson, a stem cell researcher from Wayne State University, argues for more funding and research in the area of stem cells. She presents instances in which stem cells have worked to help cure certain conditions and backs her argument with data to support her reasoning. Nelson’s argument sufficiently persuades readers of the necessity of stem cell use as she begins and concludes her argument convincingly, gives the reader some insight as to how stem cells work, and uses personal examples to demonstrate how stem cells have directly helped cure certain medical conditions.
Stem cell research is often at the forefront of heated ethical debates due to its assessment of human life. If stem cell research cannot be ethically defended, then it should not be conducted. “You cannot defend a study ethically unless the presumed cost is lower than expected benefits. The cost-benefit analysis of scientific research needs to include human/animal discomfort/risks, environmental issues, material costs, etc” which is necessary to support the positive outcome which the research claims to provide (experiment-resources, 2008).
Controversy surrounding research and therapeutic use of stem cells has been a contentious and socially polarizing matter for a few decades. Arguments lie largely between the scientific community and the general public, although intragroup disagreements also persist today. These disparate views for and against stem cells arise out of the bioethical implications of an inchoate innovation, the general public’s tenuous understanding of the underlying technology itself, and sociopolitical ideologies. Due to the somewhat aged debate, recent revelations and advancements have changed the principle arguments and should be addressed accordingly.
Society tends to only focus on the black and white when it comes to controversial issues and forgets about the gray area that is almost always there. Embryonic stem cell research and treatment is no exception to this phenomenon. Kristina Hug writes about what she believes to be the four arguments for the ethical dilemmas surrounding stem cell research in her article titled “Embryonic Stem Cell Research: An Ethical Dilemma”. Like the authors of the previous article mentioned said, Hug agrees that the two moral principles that stem cell research forces us to choose between are the duty to respect the embryo versus the duty to protect the sick. However, they offer other views along the spectrum and reasons why people are for and against each viewpoint. The first viewpoint provided states that “the embryo has full moral status from fertilization onwards”. It says the criteria for ‘personhood’ is notoriously unclear and different people define what makes a person a person in different ways. Ones who agree with this statement argue that development from an embryo into a baby is an ongoing process and it is impossible to pinpoint when exactly personhood begins. They also argue that an embryo is simply a person in the embryonic stage and although it does not currently have the characteristics of a person, they will eventually become a person and should be given the same rights and respect people receive. The second viewpoint states that “there is a cut-off point at fourteen days after fertilization”. The source says that some people argue that a human embryo deserves special protection from around day fourteen after fertilization. A reason why people argue that point is that fertilization is a process, not a ‘moment’ and an embryo in the earliest stages is not yet clearly defined as an individual. The third viewpoint in this
“Embryonic stem cell research will prolong life, improve life, and give hope for life to millions of people,” said politician Jim Ramstad. This is a very powerful statement, and a very accurate statement. The solution to curing many diseases is just around the corner because of the advancements in embryonic stem cell research. The much needed support of society can speed up the progression of this research so lives can start to be saved. Embryonic stem cell research should be pursued because it has the potential to help or even cure many diseases, shows more promise than adult stem cells, and is morally ethical.
Using Embryonic stem cells, there is a chance that over 80 diseases could be cured. These diseases include diabetes, spinal cord injury, and maybe even cancer. Despite all the possibilities that stem cells offer, some feel that the methods used to obtain embryonic stem cells are unethical; However, there are actually many reasons to continue stem cell research. Embryonic stem cell research should be funded because the blastocyst, or embryo, is willingly donated, and can’t feel pain. Although many people say that the
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.
Imagine living in a world without cancer, Parkinson 's, or even diabetes. While everyone may wish this is true, people are against a way that researchers can make this possible, which would be by the use of stem cells. There is major controversy on whether or not stem cell research should be allowed, especially when it comes to embryonic stem cell research. Although many consider it to be killing a potential life form, embryonic stem cell research may eventually be acceptable to use because there is consent and a lengthy process to make sure the donor understands what their embryonic stem cells will be used for. That may be viewed as a much better
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
In discussions of Stem cell research, one controversial issue has been should human embryo stem cell research remain legal. Most Americans will readily agree that do to their unique regenerative abilities, stem cells offer new potentials for treating diseases such as diabetes, and heart disease and Stem cells may one day be used to make cells and tissues for therapy of many diseases. Examples include Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, spinal cord injury, heart disease, diabetes, and arthritis. Where this agreement usually ends, however, is on the question of whether Stem cell research is ethical or unethical. Whereas some are convinced that Stem cell research is unnecessary Adult stem cells are proving to be a viable alternative, others maintain that Stem cell research is the future cure for many diseases and can be beneficial to us. My own position is Stem cell research on human embryo stem cell shouldn’t remain legal.
Heart disease, cancer, and diabetes have drastically hindered or even taken the lives of people you may know and love. While these three diseases consistently rank in the top ten leading causes of death in the United States, we as a country are steered toward pharmaceutical drugs in order to mask their life altering affects on us. The United States should no longer focus on masking and “just getting by”, but instead push to become the world leader in adult stem cell research and therapy in order to heal and restore life for millions of americans. The topic of stem cells almost automatically associated with being morally unjust, illegal, and unnatural.
Stem Cells have been overhyped, overpromised, and have built a false sense of hope in many suffering from dibilitating diseases.