Essay about The Heated Debate Concerning Stem Cell Research

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

The embryonic stem cells can be a very good use in surgeries. Can even help cure cancer. But why embryos? Why not use adult stem cells. By permitting this research we don't only increase the number of dangerous procedures women go through. But we also make people think that abortion is a good and can help others. Not everyone agrees with the destruction of their embryos to do research. Some others simply just don't want to get their embryos experimented on. By this research abortion would most likely have to become legal. These treatments go against our lifes rights. The people in need of these treatments would most

What if there was a way to cure previously in-curable diseases with the help of something in the very first stages of human life, but thousands upon thousands of lives had to be taken to perfect the use of this material? That is exactly what is happening with embryonic stem cells around the world. Pro-life activists, who originally organized to stop the abortions of unborn fetuses, were most angered with the process of actually destroying an embryo solely for research purposes. However, scientists, such as Dr. Andrew Yeager of the University of Pittsburgh, argue that embryonic stem cells are the future of medicine. “This is really where, I think, so much of biomedicine is going to be going in the twenty

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

Imagine living in a world without cancer, Parkinson 's, or even diabetes. While everyone may wish this is true, people are against a way that researchers can make this possible, which would be by the use of stem cells. There is major controversy on whether or not stem cell research should be allowed, especially when it comes to embryonic stem cell research. Although many consider it to be killing a potential life form, embryonic stem cell research may eventually be acceptable to use because there is consent and a lengthy process to make sure the donor understands what their embryonic stem cells will be used for. That may be viewed as a much better

We live in a world where genetic sciences have gone beyond laws, and past the imagination. We have come to a point where we don’t know anymore what is right, and what is wrong. We have to decide. In fact, studies are made on embryonic stem cells that for now have the purpose to better our overall health. These stem cells are extracted from extra IVF embryos; they are used and destroyed. While it’s true that this research could cure serious illnesses as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and orphan diseases for example; however, it’s also true that ending a potential life is immoral and illegal. We could definitely find an alternative to the embryonic stem cells to develop the science.

“Over 100 million Americans suffer from diseases that eventually may be treated more effectively or even cured with embryonic stem cell therapy. Some researchers regard this as the greatest potential for the alleviation of human suffering since the advent of antibiotics” (White). However, not everybody agrees with this. While embryonic stem cells offer much hope for medical advancement because of their ability to grow into almost any kind of cell, the moral debate of the destruction of an embryo continues. Embryonic stem cells are taken directly from an embryo before the embryo 's cells begin to develop into their specific cells. While there may be promise of embryonic stem cells triggering medical advancements, the ongoing controversy continues to hinder research.

Embryonic stem cell research has been an issue in America for right around 35 years. Essentially, what this is, is letting a fertilized egg turn into an embryo, which contains many stem cells. To be obtained though, the embryo must be damaged.Resulting, in killing this pre-born child. To me, this is not the best way to obtain the cells researchers really need.

These cells were named IPS cells. Stem cells can also be found in adults, children, infants, placentas, umbilical cords, and cadavers. These cells can then be reprogrammed into IPS cells. The difference between embryonic stem cells and IPS cells is that IPS cells can be obtained without harm. These cells have been proven to be more effective. Currently, according to a website called stemcellresearch.org there have been seventy three adult stem cell research treatments, and zero embryonic stem cell research treatments. Scientists have been successful with using IPS cells to treat diseases like Parkinson`s disease, autoimmune diseases, stroke, anemia, cancer, heart attack, and diabetes. Dr. Oz even said on the Oprah Winfrey Show, “I can take a little bit of your skin, take those cells, get them to go back in time so they are like they were when you were first made, and then they will start to make that dopamine & I think those cells, because they won’t be as prone to cancer & because they’re your genes will be the ones that are ultimately used to cure Parkinsons.” If IPS cells are more effective than embryonic stem cells, and can be obtained without harm, then why should researchers waste their time with embryonic stem

What I had previously learned in my Biology was that all living things have cells. And according to the Research Gate each embryo has around 100-150 cells. So I personally think that it is killing/ taking a life. Also when reading a statement from the NIH website I now see the disadvantages for the person donating the embryo. Not only can someone else have a complications with the retrieval process but the embryos can be used for women who want children and can’t have them according to the NIH. Beyond the many benefits of embryonic stem cell research the negatives seem to out rule them. I personally am thinking of what can be replaced or what can happen to the person who donates the embryos. So I think that embryonic stem cell research should be avoided because everything would be easier and less

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,

Unlike some patients and physicians, embryonic stem cell researchers are in complete agreement of using embryos in research or treatments. These researchers see the promise in creating an abundant supply of any type of cell, as well as understanding the development of diseases or disorders in early life. According to the article “Stem Cells” by Insoo Hyun, the most important thing to consider about using embryos is that they increase our understanding of how people grow early on in life, and the stem cells that come from them unveil misconceptions behind different malformations in the body (2018). Junying Yu and James A. Thomson express in their article “Embryonic Stem Cells” how researchers view this resource, stating that, “Human embryonic stem (ES) cells capture the imagination because they are immortal and have an almost unlimited developmental potential (Fig. 1.1: How hESCs are derived). After many months of growth in culture dishes, these remarkable cells maintain the ability to form cells ranging from muscle to nerve to blood—potentially any cell type that makes up the body” (2016). Despite the great controversy that surrounds embryonic stem cell research, researchers are still hard at work to support and progress this vastly growing study to help improve the lives of people everywhere. Supporting and advancing this research is the best course of action, considering it would benefit the most amount of people. There should not be any exceptions to its use, but religious individuals or physicians may believe in placing restrictions depending on their unique stance. The support for this cause is unwavering, there is a great amount of potential and there is absolutely no reason to slow or halt its progress towards helping patients with disorders or

A life for a life. Embryonic stem cells have become a popular alternative for scientists to use during research. Scientists boast about the unlimited possibilities of embryonic stem cells in medical studies, but research has yet to establish any progress. Unlike embryonic stem cells, adult stem cells have already established several cures and have made a significant contribution to medical research. Adult stem cells provide a superior method of regenerative therapies, reparative medicine, and bioengineered organs; however, despite common belief adult stem cells do not harm the life of a fetus, and have made more progress in curing several diseases such as acute myelogenous leukemia.

Steven Weinberg, a famous theoretical physicist, once said, “It does not help that some politicians and journalists assume the public is interested only in those aspects of science that promise immediate practical applications to technology or medicine” (Doc, 2016, p. 1). Though this refers to many, if not all, fields of science when there are new technological advances, there is one in particular that falls under this assumption. There are two basic fields within stem cell research and the one under the most scrutiny is embryonic stem cell research. To be able to use their stem cells without killing them has not been developed yet, so many articles on ethical concerns of stem cell research are focused on this specific topic. Many areas of science are treated as unethical, but stem cell research, which is considered the worst,could single-handedly reshape the world as we know it.

The scientific knowledge gained from stem cell research has proven very useful, yet the knowledge did not come without the destruction of human embryos. According to Healy, Bernadine P. “The Government Must Regulate Stem Cell Research”, ”stem cells” come from human embryo or fetus that is at its first stage of development in which it is in its single cell form before it starts its development stage or complex stage (Bernadine). What this means is, stem cells, at its single cell stage doesn’t have any function, however, scientist have figured out how to transform stem cell into just about anything they want them to be. For instance, scientist are using stem cells and changing them to anything that is practical to the human body such as grow muscle, skin, nerves and even human appendages. In spite of the advances that have been made because of stem cell research, and the entire groundbreaking medical and scientific advances, scientists want to start clone farming human embryos to further scientific research since human embryos are hard to come by. The problem that comes with stem cell research is the idea that human embryos are very well human being and they need to be treated as such.