Cody Kojima
Mr. Higa
Capstone
2 October, 2014
Stem Cell Beats Ethic Issues Stem cell research is the most controversial topic in the health field since abortion. Stem cell research however, has the potential to unlock an infinite amount of possibilities as well be the key to curing patients with terminal illnesses. Many people from around the world have their opinions on this type of research dealing with ethics, politics, and religion. The most efficient way to study stem cells is taking them from donated embryos (which have been banned in the United States). This research process is claimed to be unethical. The fact is that stem cell research if ever accepted in society, will lead to one of the biggest, if not the biggest medical revolution in the twenty-first century. Stem cells are basically undeveloped cells. Though this may sound insignificant, these cells have the potential to develop into any cell during the early development stages. The goal of stem cell research is to use these cells to cure degenerative and terminal illnesses such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, heart disease, lung disease, and various types of cancer. The purpose of researching these stem cells is to see what else they can develop into thus creating more possible cures for patients. It seems like a simple science experiment but it is truly the exact opposite. Anything having to do with the embryonic membrane such as abortions brings up many controversial issues. In 2005, the North East
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.
The transfer of information, often shared through scientific reports and research, puts this topic in a highly international spotlight. Many supporters believe that stem cells will be able to help solve once untreatable diseases or injuries such as spinal cord injuries, skin burns, Parkinson’s disease, and some blood disorders. However, the main argument is if stem cells should be used in finding therapeutic treatments. The use of embryonic stem cells is viewed by many as a moral inconsistency; it is opposed by religious organizations and individuals believing that this research should be abandoned and existing, alternative methods be adapted.
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
This report describes how ethics involving embryos has been ongoing for 25 years but has significantly increased with the stem cell controversy. Another issue brought up by this report is whether or not federal funds should be spent on an issue that is so ethically
Stem cells are cells that are found throughout the human body. They reproduce over a long period of time without changing. Stem cells can produce specialized cells, such as brain, muscle or lung cells. Stem cells in the last few years have recently made a big debut because medical professionals have discovered so many unique qualities to stem cells. They are on the cutting edge of medicine because of all their uses and the qualities that make them so unique from any other cell in the body. Stem cells have the power to make so many breakthroughs in the medical world. Medical researchers have all ready found so many ways that stem cells can be used for the better of so many people. Genes play an important role in determining what genetic traits or mutations we receive. Researching stem cells can help determine this. Stem cell research is useful for learning many things about human development and about how the body has the power to repair itself. Researchers are finding new ways each day that stem cells can be used and the possibilities that they find for stem cells could be endless. A few ways they can be used to treat diseases, be used as graphs for burn victims or surgical use, and even to correct birth defects. The pros of stem cells are limitless.
There is a debate over the ethics of stem cell research and many people on opposing sides of the issue are not aware of all aspects. In order to intelligently debate the legal and ethical issues regarding stem cell research, one must understand what stem cells are, the applications currently available, and the impact of the research. It is also important to understand the distinction between adult and embryonic stem cells before exploring their uses and impacts
Embryonic stem cell research is widely controversial in the scientific world. Issues on the ethics of Embryonic Stem (ES) cell research have created pandemonium in our society. The different views on this subject are well researched and supportive. The facts presented have the capability to support or possibly change the public’s perspective. This case study is based on facts and concerns that much of the research done on embryonic stem cells is derived from human embryos. This case study will provide others with a more in depth view of both sides of this great debate.
As long humans have existed, having good health continues to remain crucial for a longer lasting life. As scientists find new medical discoveries throughout time, humans get healthier and their life expectancy goes up. Stem cell research is a new type of field of research, its goal is to improve and
Embryonic stem cells research is the most debated type of stem cell research. The moral standings of embryonic stem cell research have been debated since the research started. The side against the research claims that it is wrong to value one’s life above another and that the elimination of the most basic form of life is murder. While the side supporting the research claims that the research could bring about the cure for many types of diseases and help save the lives of millions. Embryonic stem cells are controversial because of how they are obtained and used. While the two sides argue over whether it is moral or not, they both agree that adult stem cells have potential without the moral dilemma.
In the past decade, stem cell research has gained popularity in the biomedical field. Many scientists believe stem cells could be the breakthrough tool that is necessary to change the way we understand medicine. The same scientists feel stem cells, embryonic in particular, open the door for many opportunities to cure diseases that are otherwise known as incurable. However, the benefits of embryonic stem cell research do not outweigh the value of a life that never gets to begin. While there can be benefits to stem cell research, embryonic stem cell research is unethical because stem cells can be found in other places, the research is not always effective, and it ultimately destroys a human life.
Stem cell research is turning into an issue that may have the likelihood to one day transform many of our lives and the way we live. The issue is faced each day in research facilities all way across the world as researchers consider the results and advantages of their work. Stem cell research is also an issue highly debated inside the church, with people of various religions, even a hefty portion of the same, coming together to create different opinions and values. Many people are finding that the more they think about stem cell research , the less certain they are about the ethical and moral conclusions.
There are millions of people in the world right now that have serious diseases. Stem cells can develop cures for these serious diseases. Funding stem cell research can allow for the transplant organs and tissues in the body. The funding of stem cell research can progress our understanding of diseases form in our body. Finally, stem cell research can come up with a cure for diseases, like cancer and Alzheimer’s disease. In Summary, the use of stem cells for scientific research is ethical because it can be used in organ and tissue transplanting, advance our understanding of how disease progresses, and the development of new treatments for diseases.
Once the stem cells are delivered near the damaged areas of the heart, the regeneration of cardiac (heart) cells is possible. There is a lack of understanding on how or why specifically the stem cells turn into heart cells. “Recent studies indicated that the benefits associated with adult stem cell injection might come from paracrine effects, the effect of a nearby cell sending chemical and electrical signals to the stem cell, and not from myocardial differentiation” [6]. Experiments show that bone marrow stem cells “produce and secrete a broad variety of cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors, [all of which] promote cardiac repair [7]. These paracrine factors “influence adjacent cells and exert their actions” on the damaged cardiac cells [7]. It might be that the stem cells do not even differentiate into cardiac cells, but instead promote repair through exchanges of signals. “Recent work suggests that coupling of myocytes to adjacent cells, tissues, and extra cellular matrix results in external cues that shape ventricular myocytes architecture” [8]. Basically, the surrounding heart cells connect with the stem cells to essentially form the shape of the original area of the heart. The cells “wrap around the ventricular cavities in the developed heart” [8]. The many therapies discussed in the previous section “assume that transplanted cells will support…ability for differentiation and functional integration into the host
! Throughout most of our lifetime on Earth many have pondered the thought of how they
b. Stem cells can also be used for drug discovery which can help to identify drugs which can be used for particular diseases. Scientists can grow tissue from stem cells and then to search for new drugs. This can improve drug function or alter diseases and how these drugs might affect different organs.