Essay on Stem Cell Research: Scientific Advancement vs. Human Rights

There are two different types of stem cells that are used in research: embryonic stem cells and non-embryonic “somatic” or “adult” stem cells, (NIH). Embryonic stem cells are derived from human embryos and are usually obtained through the process of in vitro fertilization in a laboratory setting. According to Bevington, embryonic stem cells are left over from attempted fertilization in fertility clinics and are donated to research by the patient with consent, (Bevington 2005). What makes embryonic stem cell research unethical is that the human embryo is destroyed through the research process. Adult stem cells are found among differentiated cells in a tissue or organ. The purpose of adult stem cells is to

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 have become a subject of much interest and debate in politics, the scientific

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.

In the past two decades, many technological and scientific advances have been made in order to make life easier for many people who suffer from cancer, disease and sickness. Among these advances there is something revolutionary called stem cells. Stem cells can help restore and regenerate almost all parts of the human body such as the heart, kidney, liver, and many other organs. Although stem cells offer a lot, there are many views against and for stem cells, and among these views lies the debate of whether stem cells should be legalized or not (NIH 2). Stem cells offer exciting new opportunities in the field of science such as regenerating human body parts, but many people are still debating whether or not the use of stem cells is

All the human embryonic stem cell lines currently in use come from four to five-day-old embryos left over from in-vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures. In IVF, researchers mix a man 's sperm and a woman 's eggs together in a lab dish. Some of those eggs will become fertilized. At about five days the egg has divided to become a hollow ball of roughly 100 cells called a blastocyst which is smaller than the size of the dot over an “i”. ("Myths and Misconceptions About Stem Cell Research.")

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 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

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.

Adult stem cells are thought to be undifferentiated cells. According to the NIH, the main goal of adult stem cells is to repair and renew cells and tissue in the body (Stem Cell Basics). Compared to embryonic stem cells, adult stem cells origin is undetermined. However, scientists are excited over the recent discoveries emerging from research. Researchers have found adult stem cells are in the brain and heart where they believed stem cells would not exist. These findings can continue to help scientists develop research in which adult stem cells could become the basis of transplantation-based therapies (Zawada and Kalumuck). If scientists are able to control these cells in laboratories, they could develop transplant stem cells that could even rejuvenate a heart. If the heart is rejuvenated it could circumnavigate a heart transplant (Zawada and Kalumuck). Other examples of conditions that could be cured with rejuvenation are Diabetes, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, strokes, burns, spinal injuries, and more (Stem Cell

Stem cells can be classified in one of three categories: embryonic stem cells, somatic or “adult” stem cells, or induced pluripotent stem cells. Embryonic stem cells, as the name suggests, come from embryos. Only relatively recently have stem cells actually been made from human embryos; from 1981 until 1998, stem cells were grown exclusively for laboratory mice from mice. Today, however scientists are able to grow stem cells through a few techniques. One such technique uses embryos left over from in vitro fertilization. These embryos are willingly donated to research facilities. To obtain stem cells from actual embryos, scientists transfer cells from the existing embryo into a dish full of a culture medium that serves as nourishment to the cells. Here, the cells divide rapidly and can then be transferred into more culture dishes and allowed to grow further or be used in scientific research (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services). The acquisition of embryonic stem cells can be somewhat controversial. For instance, many believe that it is wrong to sacrifice embryos for stem cell research. However, many embryos used to create stem cells are ones that would have gone to waste in a fertility clinic’s freezer anyways. So instead of wasting the unused embryos, we are putting them to good use and

While some people might say that stem cell research is immoral and unethical, others believe that it is a magical solution for almost any problem, thus leading to a very controversial issue. Scientists have been searching for years for ways to eradicate incurable diseases and perform other medical procedures that yesterday's technology would not fix. With the rapidly arising, positive research on stem cell technology, the potential that exists to restore any deficiency is in the same way, likely to destroy humanity. America is suffering from its inability to choose who holds precedence over this issue. Too many of us find it impossible to reach a basis for which our differing opinions can be shared and formed into a universal and

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 cells are found in early embryo (blastocyst), the foetus, umbilical fluid, the placenta and umbilical cord blood.(9) During the stages of life after birth and the rest of life stem cells continue to reside in many parts of the body including skin, hair follicles, bone marrow and blood, brain and spinal cord, gut, lung, joint fluid, muscle and fat just to name a few.(9) Researchers are trying to harness the regenerative potential of stem cells to be able to grow new cells for medical treatments that require the replacement of damaged cells in the body.