The Issue Of 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.

The members of the Catholic Church and many Catholics, oppose the use of embryonic stem cells because it means destroying an innocent human being at any stage in its life. Although they do not oppose the research as a whole, they believe this can further humankind and can save millions of lives. The Catholic Church does encourage scientists and other researchers to continue their experimentations with the use of other sources of stem cells, like adult stem cells, for example.

The Alliance for Aging Research is a non-profit organization that promotes the use of federal funding for embryonic stem cell research. As an agency geared toward improving the health of human beings as they age, some of their responsibilities include lobbying for federal legislation, conducting studies and surveys, and creating and distributing educational materials to health care professionals and the public. With Baby Boomers closely reaching the later stages of life, this group has found themselves focused primarily on research programs for the geriatric.

Stem cell research is a fairly controversial topic in the United States. Stem cells are cells that have the potential to become certain types of cells throughout a human body. There are a few types of stem cells, which are embryonic stem cells, adult stem cells, and induced pluripotent stem cells. Embryonic stem cells are the most controversial due to the manner from which they are obtained. Embryonic stem cells are pluripotent cells gathered from the inner cell mass of a blastocyst, which is an early-stage embryo that contains about 50-150 cells. However, the extraction of these cells causes the blastocyst to be destroyed, which is what raises many flags to people. The controversy of stem cell research began as early as 1996 when congress

This debate examines the controversies that arise regarding stem cell research and whether or not the cell is an inherent human person. She points to five values that one, as a catholic theology thinker, should focus on. These five values are: The value of nascent life, the value of moral virtue or moral integrity, the value of medical benefits, the value of distributive justice or just institutions, and the value of a social ethos of generosity and solidarity (Lysaught, page 696). One of the most important values that Lysaught touches upon would be the value of moral virtue. Specifically from the Christian standpoint, morals are key to fulfilling a virtuous life. Lysaught claims that, “This value may be translated into the principle that one ought always to act with moral integrity and never act against one’s conscience” (Lysaught, page 699). Here, Lysaught is arguing for the importance of our own free will as well as the inherent values that we as people are capable of using. Most arguments in favor of stem cell research come from the research that shows the promising potential use of the cells, such as treating or potentially curing diabetes, spinal injuries, Alzheimer’s, and many other life threatening chronic diseases. This hope for the cells however comes at a serious cost according to Christians. A Christian

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

Stem cell research, one of the most exciting and controversial ethical issues in medicine today, continuously makes headlines with new developments. This topic concerns medical professionals, scientists, ethics forums, and even politicians, but many people do not know what to conclude from the controversy surrounding it. Dr. Elizabeth Crouch1, a genetics professor of the Biomedical Science Department of Texas A & M University, argues that it is vital that students entering medicine be educated about the ethical issues surrounding stem cell research. She explains:

One of the biggest problems that biomedical scientists struggle with today is finding a cure to cancer. Thousands of scientists across the world devote their time and resources to solving this puzzle and saving thousands of lives. Over the last few decades, technology and medicine has advanced significantly increasing the life expectancy of the average human life. However, further steps need to be taken to achieve what doctors and scientists have set out to accomplish. In order to do this, many believe that embryonic stem cell research could be the key to unlocking a variety of medical problems. However, in the early 2000’s, the United States saw a significant decrease in federal funding available for this research. This could set back the medical advances by years if researchers could not continue their work. A decrease in restrictions while increasing federal funding for embryonic stem cell research is vital for taking steps forward in ethically finding cures for many injuries and diseases that affect millions of people every day.

Embryonic stem cell research is the study of stem cells derived from the undifferentiated inner mass cells of a human embryo. For many years now, the ethics of embryonic stem cell research has been argued. A recent advance in this line of research is the ability to clone the embryonic stem cells, which allows for researchers to create a completely compatible embryonic stem cell to the individual’s tissue type. Though this new science may be very beneficial, not everyone can agree on the ethics of it. While the National Bioethics Advisory Commission approves of stem cell research via in vitro fertilization, they are strongly opposed of the cloning of embryos, which is expressed in Volume I Report and Recommendations of the National Bioethics Advisory Commission, “Issues in Human Stem Cell Research". On the other hand, Dr. Katrien Devolder, the writer of the article, “Creating and sacrificing embryos for stem cells” is devout to the advocacy of embryonic stem cell research which includes the use and derivation of stem cells from spare in vitro fertilization embryos as well as the creation of embryos for these purposes. Embryonic stem cell research has accomplished so much for for medicine, it would be a shame to not continue it because of opposing views that could easily come to a mutual consensus.

“The misleading debate on stem cell research” written by Mona Charen is a cautionary tale of the escalating manner in which life will be dehumanized should society begin to support this research with federal funding. Stem cell research crosses a moral line that society should be reluctant to cross even for the best intentions (Charen). Stem cell research has been picketed by pro-lifers since the first whispers of its use. The results of stem cell research are rarely attacked since we really don’t know the fruits of such research without funding and supporting it. In the United States, stem cell research remains legal, however it is not funded by the government. Germany, Italy, Portugal, Luxembourg, and Austria all have a ban on it, begging the question to be asked “What do they know that we don’t?” (Charen). Going a step further we are warned that scientists have been frustrated by their inability to ascertain certain results, speculating things will go a step further. What is to stop the research from moving forward to allowing an embryo to reach a later stage of development (Charen)? It is easy to shame society into shying from the idea of growing embryos for spare body parts to be dismantled by mad scientists, and yet that is not where the argument currently lies. Instead, scientists use embryos that will be discarded and whom the owner has agreed to their donation to science. It is wrong to take a scientific matter and wrap it in a morality issue.

“The issue is debated within the church, with people of different faiths, even many of the same faith coming to different conclusions,” Bush said. “Many people are finding that the more they know about stem cell research, the less certain they are about the right ethical and moral conclusions.”

Stem cells have shown a lot of potential to cure many life threatening diseases like Diabetes, Heart disease, Parkinson’s disease and many others. The use of stem cells can highly benefit a lot of people’s lives and improve their health. Stem cells can be implicated into society in the near future, only a few more tests need to be done. They will have a huge impact on society and it will change the way the world uses medical assistance.

Due to this topic being so controversial, many people such as Senators, the media, and cartoonists have been voicing their opinions publicly. One such public opinion is a political cartoon created by Gary Varvel. A scientist is shown throwing embryos into an active volcano labeled "Stem Cell Research." Behind him are three barbarians carrying a platform filled with cans of human embryos exactly like the one the scientist is emptying into the volcano. The scientist is asking the barbarians, "What makes you think this is human sacrifice?" From the cartoon, one can determine that Gary Varvel is against stem cell research.

Research on stem cells is knowledge constantly being explored about how an organism evolves from a single cell and how cells in good condition are put in place of cells that no longer work. The outcome that is anticipated from doing this research is that if scientist can fine tune stem cells into regular cells like blood or heart muscles and put it back into the body, then possibly they may find a cure for some of the widespread diseases that exist in our world today such as diabetes, leukemia, and many more by replacing those weak cells with youthful cells. Eventually this research might lead to realistic, reasonably priced ways to get rid of many diseases through DNA engineering but is it really worth

Stem cell research, a controversial scientific and medical topic that puts the phrase “the ends justifies the means” to the test. Although life saving and revolutionary in the medical field, disputes about how moral it is surrounds the practice and research. Why it’s controversial comes from how stem cells are retrieved. There are different types of stem cell research but the most controversial is the gathering the needed cells from embryos and fetuses. The embryos and fetuses often come from abortions which is another very controversial topic in the US. Stem cell research has been surrounded with questions and debates that has lasted ever since it has come to society’s knowledge. With both sides of the government adding