Stem Cell Research Debate

Imagine a world free from disease. The idea of a utopian society has been far from reality until the research from embryonic stem cell therapy surfaced. Since former president George W. Bush banned federal funding on embryonic stem cell research in 2001 it has caused a halt in advancements and caused controversy in the public. According to an article by Beau Watts, an accredited physician; embryonic stem cells are pluripotent cells (Beau Watts). This means they have not decided what function they perform yet. Since the cells do not know the function, it can be determined by scientists. As described in the “Guidelines for the conduct of human embryonic research” by the international stem cell society; medical professionals can take an embryonic stem cell and “reprogram” it to eliminate the disease. Today 2,200 people died from heart disease (American heart association). Heart disease is only one of many diseases that can be cured by embryonic stem cell research. Religious and/or conservative groups now condemn the research, for multiple reasons. Embryonic stem cells are donated by patients of in-vitro fertilization. After a “round” of IVF, they can choose to donate, freeze, or discard their leftover embryos. Embryos contain two layers, it is the innermost layer that contains the cells used in embryonic stem cell research (Society for stem cell research). It is very important to know that, the embryos that could be used in the research are donated upon request of the patient.

Most people are against Embryonic Stem Cell research mainly because they consider it unethical to use aborted fetuses for research. The two main issues concerning the research are the ethics (Cons) and the benefits (Pros). In any scientific case, ethics must always be considered. But the use of fetuses is something that is of the utmost importance. The costs are generally measured based off of people’s feelings, morals, and knowledge about the subject up for debate. The use of aborted fetuses for stem cell research may have many positive outcomes that can come of it, but many negative outcomes as well; If using aborted fetuses for research can, in the near future, save lives, then it is a research that should be supported, even though some

“I truly believe that stem cell research is going to allow our children to look at Alzheimer’s and diabetes and other major diseases the way we look at polio today, which is a preventable disease” (Solomon). Susan Solomon has founded the New York Stem Cell Foundation and has been seen as the hero for stem cell scientists around the world. Over the past couple years, stem cell research has been at its high; scientists all over the world are using these cells to try to find new ways to cure life threatening diseases. Some have used stem cells to treat patients who have been brain dead recently and these cells made the dead portion of the brain start functioning again. Also, some scientists and doctors have

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.

Embryonic stem cell research has been a heated debate for upwards of 30 years due to the controversial nature of extracting embryos for research purposes. Recently the ban for federal funding to research embryos has been lifted; therefore, sparking even more debate on whether or not embryonic stem cells research is ethical. Embryonic stem cell research is the extracting of embryos in order to conduct research in cell repair and growth. There are two moral principles to choose between: is it used to prevent or help suffering and pain, or should we respect the value of human life? Embryonic stem cell research is considered murder by many. Also, with thousands of embryos preserved in in vitro fertilization (IVF) clinics, “it appears that there

Stem cells were first isolated and cultured in November of 1998 and have been surrounded with much debate and controversy since day one. “Although the ethical debates have been mostly static and have closely mimicked the ethical debates over abortion, the political determinations concerning federal funding of stem cell research have gone through numerous evolutions in the years since the first hESCs were isolated and cultured” (Saltzberg 505). Research is currently being conducted on stem cells, but only with private funds. The federal government has a ban on funding embryonic stem cell research because of the controversial issue of using embryos and fetuses. However, because of the possibility of a renewable

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

Because of their ability to differentiate into specialized cells, embryonic stem cells can have the potential of treating a wide range of diseases. Some of these diseases include heart disease, Parkinson 's disease, and diabetes (Kelly 5). The regenerative properties of stem cells allow scientists to potentially restore damaged muscle, and perhaps even damaged nerve tissue. The discovery of embryonic stem cells is so important that it opened up a new field of medicine called regenerative medicine. Although embryonic stem cells are not the answer to all diseases known to man, other types of stem cells are being used to effectively treat

“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

At first glance, in the case of federal funding for embryonic stem cell research, it seems too obvious to protect. Why not provide support for research, are promising for the treatment and management of disastrous diseases, such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, diabetes and spinal cord injury of the government. Critics of stem cell research offer two main influences: Some believe that stem cell research is wrong, despite worthy goals, because it involves the destruction of human embryos; Others fear that even if research on embryos is not wrong in itself, it will open the way for the slippery slope of inhuman methods such as embryo farms, cloned babies, the use of spare parts and the commodification of human

The mid 1800s marked the beginning of stem cell research through the finding that some cells had the ability of regenerating other cells. The first embryonic stem cell lines were developed by James Thompson (University of Wisconsin-Madison) when he isolated cells from the inner cell mass of early embryos. In 1998, the same year of James Thompson’s discovery, “John Gearhart (Johns Hopkins University) derived germ cells from cells in fetal gonadal tissue (primordial germ cells). Pluripotent stem cell ‘lines’ were developed from both sources. The blastocysts used for human stem cell research typically come from in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures” (AllAbout 2002-2014, 1). This type of embryonic stem cell research quickly fueled ethical controversy.

Using embryos for research is referred to as embryonic stem cell research and it mainly focuses on stem cell lines (Hug, 2015). These cells have been taken out of human embryos which come from the inner mass of blastocyst (Kington, 2009). They have the ability to divide without differentiating for a long period of time when cultured and are also known to grow into cells and tissues that form the three primary germ layers (Kington, 2009). The resulting research and their uses are the topic of consequentialism debate concerning both intrinsic and extrinsic values. The consequences of their use include the destruction of the embryos and therapeutic cloning (Hug, 2015). Although their use can have devastating results, there are some positives to

Furthermore, stem cells can be useful for treating many diseases because of their wide variety of use. They are taken from a healthy part of the body, such as an organ or bone, and then replaced into a patient’s damaged body part. The healthy cells

Potential applications of therapies and treatment developed from embryonic stem cells include treatment or diabetes, heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. Adult stem cells have been used in trials to treat diseases with limited success and it is still being researched and developed for potential mainstream use if successful applications are discovered.

One popular type of stem cell research is embryotic stem cell research. Embryotic stem cells are undifferentiated cells that show promise in the treatment of heart disease, cancer, spinal cord injuries, diabetes, and Parkinson’s disease. Undifferentiated cells are cells that have the potential to become any type of cell they want, but once grown with a certain type of cell they will differentiate, or mature into that specific type of cell (Farrell and Carson-Dewitt). Embryotic stem cells can be used to replace different tissues in the body after a serious accident. Experts say, “Stem cells are expected to be the most useful in treating multigenic diseases – those that arise from problems with various genes and are