The Ethical Debate of Embryonic Stem Cell Research

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.

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.

When talking about the ethical issue surrounding embryonic stem cells their are 2 main moral principles:

Imagine a world where people only talk about cancer and a desperate need for organ donors as part of a history lesson. Medical advancements have brought technology closer to making that world a reality. Recent advancements in knowledge of stem cell research has already created the ability for doctors to print a functional organ just as easily as people can print a persuasive research essay. With great medical advancements comes great controversy. The main way researchers have been studying stem cells is by harvesting undifferentiated embryonic stem cells. Those who oppose embryonic stem cell research claim that stem cell harvesting damages and kills the un-born embryo; however, because of advancements in the stem cell harvesting process, embryos are not required to harvest embryonic stem cells and embryonic stem cell research can lead to great medical advancements. What is the main reason the embryonic stem cell research is controversial?

I believe that embryonic stem cell research should be allowed in the United States. From previous encounters with the topic I have learned that the many benefits that can come from stem cell research are without a doubt astounding and unimaginable. There are simply endless possibilities that can arise if the research was allowed to be conducted. From giving back vision to rebuilding tissue, any advance in stem cell research would be beneficial to the medical world. With the help that the advances would make, this world could come closer to many cures to diseases that are to come, and to diseases that we have already.

There are many diseases that have the potential to affect every single person in the world. Some are curable and some are not. However, some cells called stem cells may impact and help many people. Stem cells are what are called undifferentiated cells, which means that they are not specialized cells. However, they can develop into all different kinds of cells within the body. So through this, stem cells control the development of the body by evolving into the cells the body needs to survive, or even replacing worn out or destroyed cells (Levine and Miller 294-297). These cells can reproduce to make more of themselves through cell division. In the long run, stem cells enable the body to continue functioning and to stay healthy (Stem Cell).

The society is not at an agreeable point when it comes to the research of stem cells obtained from human embryos. The disagreement narrows down to a clash between the two fundamental principles of ethics: The duty to prevent and alleviate suffering, and the duty to respect the value of human life. In most situations, both principles can be satisfied. However, in the research of embryonic stem cells, it might not be inherently possible.

Many of the ethical debates about embryonic stem cells involve when a human being is actually defined as a human. Embryonic stem cells can be taken from the blastocyst, a very early stage of development that is a hollow ball with about 150-200 cells and is barely visible to the naked eye. According to the 2010 statistics of the World Health Organization, worldwide 5.7 million people die of Alzheimer’s disease, and 10 million people die of Parkinson’s disease each year. Both Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease are currently incurable, but with the use of stem cells, scientists can find a cure for many diseases across the country. If scientists can sacrifice something for the greater good of mankind,

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.

This day in age disease, infection, disorders and mysterious syndromes are more present now than ever. */***You forget to wash your hands after using the restroom? You just spread viruses like E.Coli and put someone 's life in danger*/***. But in a world full of diseases that are seemingly becoming harsher and more resistant to conventional treatments, answers to the latest ailments are popping up in the form of miniscule pieces biological tissue called stem cells. Stem cells are pluripotent cells that are present in all living organisms and have pi

We are entering a brave new world where one can grow a heart in a petri plate then go on to surgically putting it into a real living boy who desperately needs it. This sounds like a tale of fiction. However now, scientists are currently working to produce such organs that save lives and obviate the usual failure and feared rejection by the recipient’s body. Stem cell research has traditionally been perceived to be horrific when it destroys a living embryo itself in the process. However new sources and methods are thought to be the solution to stem cell and organ formation, especially since scientists use different way to go about the production of the stem cells. Various methods are now nearly usable and even in place in the last several years alone. Stem cell research is a viable growing field of interest.

Stem cells have become one of the largest and controversial research fields in the Department of Regenerative Medicine. They are often referred to as the “building blocks of nature” due to their ability to transform into any type of cell in the human body. The controversy behind the use of stem cells is the possible chance that stem cells can regenerate organs, and cure life-threatening diseases. This topic has been publicly discussed among scientists and healthcare professionals. There are different types of stem cells, such as regular, cancer, embryonic and adult (Jun Zhang et al. 2). This brings up ethical concerns: whether destroying the embryo is worth stem cell research/ transplantation (Jun Zhang et al. 3). Also, if stem cell research is cost effective. Stem cell research will allow people to gain further knowledge on the benefits on the use of stem cells, and how it can bring new innovations into the medical field. The benefits weight out the cons. Stem cell development continues to rapidly grow through research, which has unraveled its possible benefits in organs, cancer, neurologic and cardiac diseases. The United States government should fund stem cell research because this advance in medical research can create cures to life-threatening diseases.

Ever since the first human embryos were grown in a laboratory, the world of regenerative medicine has experienced the revolutionary uses of embryonic stem cells. However there are concerns about embryonic cell research crossing ethical and humane boundaries. Recently a discovery of the long term health benefits from stem cells that has allowed people to see beyond the concerns (“Human cloning legislation in Congress”). The U.S. is the forefront for groundbreaking research but is also home to the strongest opposition. Despite the concerns over the controversial methods that embryonic stem cells suggest, this research is a useful tool in the fight against fatal and necrotic diseases.

The use of cells in medicine is not ethical.it is not ethical because they can cause immortal cells . according to the article Henrietta lacks immortal cells it states that Henrietta died of cancer that was caused by immortal cells .this tells us that when stem cells are used they make your cells stronger causing them to live longer or forever .cells in medicine should not be used because immortal cells cause cancer causing your death

Stem cell research has been controversial since its development. Stem cell research has faced large opposition particularly from religious groups and churches and has been supported by various medical and research organisations. The major ethical concern over stem cell research is over the primary source of these stem cells. Stem cells can be obtained from embryos or from less controversial sources such as bone marrow. Groups opposed to stem cell research are mostly concerned over the destruction of the embryo in embryonic stem cell research. Embryonic stem cells are obtained from human embryo’s which are in the blastocyst stage. Stem cells are typically obtained from four to five-day old human embryo’s which results