The Great Stem Cell Debate
In 1998, President Bill Clinton issued a National Bioethics Advisory Commission to begin to study the question of stem cell research (Stem Cells Fast Facts). Since then many advances have been made and stem cells have been used to aid in the alleviation of several medical conditions such as macular degeneration, bone marrow deficiencies, and growing new sheets of new skin for burn victims (Hug). Even though there is much stigma surrounding stem cell research, the medical benefits far outweigh the cons of it. One of the main kinds of stem cells use in this research are embryonic stem cells. Embryonic stem cells are obtained from embryos that develop from eggs that have been fertilized in vitro (Stem Cell
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For those who believe the human embryo deserves some measure of respect, but disagree that the respect due should equal that given to a fully formed human, it could be considered immoral not to use embryos that would otherwise be destroyed to develop potential cures for disease affecting millions of people. An additional concern related to public policy is whether federal funds should be used for research that some Americans find unethical. (Hanna)
Where someone stands on the definition of a human is where they stand on stem cell research. 68% of Americans support stem cell research yet the other 32% are pausing the progress (14 Noteworthy Embryonic). More here Embryonic stem cells are just one type of stem cells. The second most popular type is adult stem cells. This kind of cell is usually found in much smaller numbers and are found in most adult tissues like bone marrow or fat (Stem cells: what are). When it comes to what they can be used for, adult stem cells are far less diverse. An adult stem cell is considered to be multipotent, meaning it can develop into a different cell type, but it is more limited than a pluripotent embryonic stem cell (What is the Difference). Not only are they harder to differentiate, but they are also harder to find (Stem Cell Basics). Adult stem cells are rare in the mature tissue of an adult and, therefore, harder to isolate and obtain (Stem Cell Basics). Most cell replacement therapies require stem cells
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.
Embryonic stem cells have numerous and amazing uses. Stem cells are unspecialized cells with the ability to replicate and renew themselves. They have the ability to transform into many kinds of cell types within the human body. They divide and create a new cell, having the potential to infinitely replenish cells. There are two types of stem cells: embryonic and somatic. Embryonic stem cells are from a fetus and can become all cell types in the body. Somatic stem cells are from an adult and can become only certain things due to the origin of the cells. Scientifically
In order to understand arguments against the use of stem cell technology in the United States, it is crucial to understand the sociopolitical background of its constituents. America is well known for having a varied and diverse ethnic background composing of immigrants from around the world, but in 2012, 73% of Americans claimed Christian affiliation (3). This overwhelming majority of Christianity means that its accompanying religious beliefs emerge in many aspects of our sociopolitical ideology. Much of the opposition to stem cell technology is grounded in the Christian tenet of anti-abortion, which is the source of embryonic stem cells. Although embryonic stem cells are still the gold standard in research and therapeutic use, use of non-embryonic stem cells such as induced pluripotent stem cells is rapidly increasing and does not require
Do No Harm: The Coalition of Americans for Research Ethics takes a very firm stand against the use of federal funding to aid in embryonic stem cell research. This coalition was founded by 8 extensively educated medical professionals, with the majority of them having specialized backgrounds in ethics or bioethics. The basis of their stance on the argument lies with the legally recognized practice of informed consent that requires a physician to do no harm to a patient. Their argument is that embryonic stem cell research that requires the destruction of a human embryo for the greater good of medicine legally, morally, and ethically defies the informed consent practice.
Those in support of embryonic stem cell research claim that the week-old blastocysts from which embryonic stem cells are derived are merely a cluster of cells and thus do not constitute a human being. Because these cells are “not human,” the embryos should not be afforded the same human rights as are granted to other more advanced stages of cell growth. Many liberals and conservatives alike argue that the potential benefits far outweigh the moral concerns, and for this reason, embryonic stem cell research should be pursued. President Obama issued an executive order revoking President Bush’s previous order that limited funding of research involving human embryonic stem cells for its violation of human rights:
There are many benefits that come from stem cell research; the government should be more open to obtaining stem cell research in other manners because it can be used to regenerate brain cells, it promotes nerve repair, and insulin secreting cells. If the government was to be more open to obtaining stem cell lines in other ways than just donations from fertility clinics, there would be much more stem cells available to be cultured. Since there have been so many limitations set on stem cell research, it has been difficult for scientist to find the many benefits of stem cell therapy. As far as we know, stem cells could be used for the possible cure of incurable diseases such as, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, diabetes, and paralyzed human beings. Alzheimer and Parkinson’s disease are caused primarily due to the loss of brain cells, which our body does not regenerate. With other common diseases such as diabetes, stem cell therapy can play a role if they promote insulin secreting cells, which are the cells that humans with diabetes are lacking. It is very likely that these incurable diseases can be cured by stem cell therapy if it became easier to obtain such stem cells.
When the topic of stem cell research, and/ or treatment, people generally automatically jump to the conclusion of embryonic stem cells, when in retrospect according to Eurostemcell.org, an organization based website that is dedicated to supplying the public with the latest news and information on stem cells. According to the article there a few different types of stem cells. The first type of stem cell is, embryonic. Embryonic stem cells are grown in a laboratory from embryos cells at an early stage. The second type of stem cell is tissue stem cells. Tissue stem cells are found in all different parts of the body. Lastly the third type of stem cell is, Induced pluripotent stem cell (iPS), or 'reprogrammed' stem cells. IPSC are similar to embryonic stem cells but they are from adult specialized cells.
Patrick Guinan says that the ethical view of embryonic stem cell research needs to be questioned because it kills off something that has the ability to be a human being (Williams). Some people may think that but Catherine Waldby says that the embryo as just an “idea of human life” (Lauritzen) and finds no destructive behavior used in stem cell research. Even though the issue over stem cell research goes on, sixty-seven percent of Americans say they support the use of embryonic stem cell research (Hall).
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.
Stem cells have an interesting history that has been linked with debate and controversy whenever it is brought up in a conversation in today's society. However, most people do not know the reasoning behind stem cell testing or using them to benefit society. It all started in the mid 1800s, stem cells were discovered as the cells that were the "building blocks of all the other cells." They serve as the body's own repair system. Stem cells can be vary in size, how they are obtained, and their benefits, they can help solve problems of an everyday human being, and can possibly find a cure for some of the most heartbreaking diseases on the planet.
Embryonic stem cells are used to generate new cells of almost any kind though the right stimulation (2008, explorable.com). Stem cell research is used for the investigating basic cells, which can develop into any organ in the body. Then embryonic stem cells are developed from a female egg after
Stem cell research is a highly debated topic in today’s scientific community. Some see the problem as sacrificing the lives of unborn children to save the lives of others or let millions of people suffer from diseases that could be cured; however, it does not have to be as black and white as that. I believe that with proper funding better, safer, and less controversial ways of cultivating stem cells can be found. Stem cells could provide the answers to many of the problems facing the medical community today, save countless lives.
Therefore, one must remember that we should respect what is living and what is not. Though researchers labeled the 'spare embryo' and 'research embryo', it is still wrong to use human embryo's for research to cure diseases.
Basically, stem cells are cells humans and mammals have that have the capability to become specialized (Aldridge 1). “There are three kinds of stem cells: embryonic, adult, and cord 1blood” (“Stem Cell Research” 1). Human embryonic stem cells are the most useful, because they can turn into any of 210 or more different tissues that are present in adults (“Stem Cell Research” 1). Cord blood stem cells are extracted
Contrarily, supporters of embryonic stem cell research argue that such research should be pursued because the resultant treatments could have significant medical potential. In addition, leftover embryos could be given with permission and