Stem Cell Research in Ethics

Stem cells are cells that have the potential to develop into different types of cells in the body. Stem cells also act as a repair system for many tissues in the body by dividing repeatedly to replenish other cells within a person (National Institutes of Health). Stem cell research seeks to further the advancement of the use of stem cells as well as to find an ethical way to study them. In November 1998, researchers found a way to isolate and culture human embryonic stem cells, (Bevington 2005). The ethics of stem cell research has been debated over the years and some people fully support the use of stem cells, whereas others are completely against the use of stem cells. This has been an ongoing battle for scientists over the span of two decades prior to the 1998 finding.

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 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

Embryonic stem cell research is a very controversial topic in today’s world. A stem cell is

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

“Now science has presented us with a hope called stem cell research, which may provide our scientists with many answers that have for so long been beyond our grasp.” (Nancy Reagan). Most cells within our bodies perform one specialized task. Contrary to these single job cells are stem cells. These cells are unspecialized and can morph and perform any task that is needed within the body. However, the way that stem cells are harvested has caused a lot of controversy. The way that the stem cells are taken destroys the embryo. We should support the recent decision to allow embryonic stem-cell research in the United States and federally fund the work to use these stem cells to cure diseases. Better stem cell research would provide safer procedures and medical practices for everyone.

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.

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.

Stem cell research will bring about revolutionary medical advances that could provide relief from maladies ranging from blindness to spinal injuries. Though scientists have made progress using adult stem cells, the use of embryonic stem cells for research is still absolutely necessary. Restrictions on federal stem cell funding will slow potential medical breakthroughs, cripple the scientific community, and put the United States at a competitive disadvantage (“Stem Cell Research.”)

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

Science has gone where no one has ever been before, and on the way it has interfered with some important ethical beliefs. Stem cell research is one of the leading ethical problems in the world today. It is the most talked about issue, and it has even made its way to the White House for the president to voice his opinion. The debate lies on whether it is ethical or unethical to destroy an embryo for the purpose of research.

Cloning shows a promising future in the medical field. Scientists have faith that stem cells show reassuring sources for advance remedies. With recent advances in research, scientists can possibly create cures for several diseases and create stand in tissues developed from a subject’s body cells (Follow-up). Stem cells are known for their wide variety of uses. Because of this characteristic, scientists can do almost anything with them making them beneficial to medical research. Eventually, scientists hope to manipulate cells into a wide variety of organs and tissues to help treat people with an assortment of illnesses. Once researchers can understand what causes these diseases, they will eventually be able to prevent them with genetic engineering. Recently, Israeli scientists announced that they have managed to grow embryonic cells to create specific organ cells like those from the heart and pancreas (Hope). President Obama reinforces the idea that “these tiny cells may have the potential to help us understand, and possibly cure, some of our most devastating diseases” (Follow-up).

Stems cells, in the recent times have become one of the most disputable and controversial areas of research. Stem cells are undifferentiated and immature cells that have the capability to divide and mature into other specialized cells in the body. Therapeutic cloning (in diseases such as Parkinson’s, Multiple sclerosis) by creating embryonic stem cells from somatic cells by the process of somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) is gaining more interest in the scientific community. Within this context, we shed light on the misconduct and morale breach by a South Korean scientist Woo- Suk Hwang and the ways we could prevent such incidents in the future.

Science has presented us with a hope that can revolutionize medicine called stem cell research, which may provide answers to what have been for so long beyond our grasp. It holds enormous promises for alleviating human suffering and improvement of human condition that will benefit millions of people. This could give us infinite possibilities and extend our lives greatly, but could it also change our society? As we advance forward into the pursuit of regenerative properties of stem cell, we deserve the choices that stem cell might someday offer and harness its live giving potential.

“Embryonic stem cells...are in effect, a human self-repair kit,” (Christopher Reeve, activist – Larry King show). For the advancement of science, stem cells are infinitely valuable, especially when considering all the potential applications in the field of medicine. Stem cell usage is a very controversial topic, because most people think of abortions, cloning, and other negative topics when they hear the term stem cell.