What´s Embryonic Stem Cell Research?

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.

Embryonic stem cell research is important for further development in the medical field. It strongly supports the idea that every life has value, an idea known as human dignity. Human beings are created in the image and likeness of God, and thus, are all equal. The idea of radical equality before God leads us to think no less of someone regardless of their physical appearance, religious beliefs, cultural background, or anything else. It is through virtues such as charity, mercy, and justice that our human dignity is preserved. By living through these virtues and realizing how to effectively instill them within us, we are able to live a virtuous life. This paper argues that although issues involving embryonic stem cell research are controversial, research in this area is typically permissible for further development in the medical field when looking to preserve human dignity. In order to defend this thesis, this paper will be structured into three sections as followed: the description of embryonic stem cell research, the development of a moral lens, and the moral argument and analysis of this case.

It can easily be seen that the potential scientific advance and discovery strongly outweigh any moral or legal implication imposed by religious or anti-abortion groups. Because embryonic stem-cell research has such a vast potential, it involves a net gain of life, and may eventually evolve to lose any legal or moral troubles, it should be considered one of the most useful and funded forms of scientific

The studying of stem cells is a very controversial issue that has been around since 1998 when the research of the use of embryonic stem cell treatment began. The main issues surrounding the discussion of treating people with life-altering disabilities through the use of these pluripotent cells is the ethicality of the matter and whether or not it is a savage act against a fetus. Many who oppose the use of these stem cells derived from excess embryos use the formerly stated opinion to support their argument, while those who are pro research argue that the destroying of one life could save another. The core complications that arise in studying stem cells lies in many Christian-like ethics and morals, otherwise called Christian bioethics. These are rooted in the modern day controversies arising due to advancements made in biology and medicine, mixed with religious views that argue against it. The conflicting interests of the polar opposites which are scientists and those with religious views have caused many complications along the way to discovering new treatments and cures for diseased cells. This bumpy road which has refrained scientists from making tremendous breakthroughs must smooth itself out, and the only way possible is through coming to an agreement that certain stem cell research should be practiced, such as the IPSC and adult stem cells, and others like the

The importance of ethical issues is often understated in public knowledge. Embryonic stem cell research should be of the utmost importance in the American society due to increased federal funding and the promises research in this field hold. As with many other controversies, embryonic stem cell research can be described as a dispute between religion and science due to the destruction of a viable human embryo. Depending on the status an individual grants an embryo will likely determine their stance on the issue. Next, many changes in legality and public acceptance have prompted leaders to increase funding and expand research nationally. Since taxpayers’ dollars are at work, the public should be aware of this prevalent and advancing ethical issue and be informed of its specifics. The public should also be aware of the advancements in healthcare that this research promise. Due to the changes in funding and legality, many discoveries have been made, pushing this science further. Many scientists believe embryonic stem cell research holds the key to curing many bodily injuries and deadly diseases such as spinal cord and brain injuries, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s. Also, many scientists conceive that, in the future, it will be possible to “grow” human organs from an individual’s stem cells for transplantation. The latter are only a few of the plethora of anticipated and promised treatments research in this field holds. Lastly,

In humans adult stem cells, not embryonic stem cells, have been used in therapies for more than forty years. People with blood disorders have used stem cell therapy to take the opportunity to improve upon their life. On the other hand, embryonic stem cells have a very high potential to treat or even cure numerous diseases like diabetes and heart disease. They are much more versatile in their usage compared to adult stem cells. Another practical use for embryonic stem cells is to treat damaged nerves ("Testing The Use…”). These nerves could have been impaired in a spinal cord injury. As of today, scientists have already performed stem cell transplants in people whose cells were damaged through chemotherapy of disease.

Recently in the scientific world, the field of embryonic stem cell research has become a popular topic and has been the subject for many heated debates. Experts in the field of stem cell research promise that this will be the future of medicine; that stem cells will be the cure to all the debilitating diseases and afflictions of today, such as Alzheimer’s disease, heart disease, cancer and nerve damage. The truth about embryonic stem cell research is that it is not as hopeful and as revolutionary as it seems. Many problems that will negate the use of stem cells will and have already begun to arise, especially in areas concerning health risks to the patient, opportunity costs and human rights (Condic 803). Taking into account all the

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.

Despite the new technological advances that bring promise to many medical treatments, few issues cause concern when implementing the research into clinical studies. Many ethical dilemmas slow the progression of research due to the variety of opinions influenced by moral beliefs. Resembling abortion, the process of fetal stem cell research includes destruction of the embryo five to seven days after conceived, in order to obtain the needed stem cells. Stem cells main function is to divide and regenerate into new more specially designed cells. In 1981, mice stem cells were obtained but over ten years later, researchers were able to extract stem cells from human embryos. It is believed the stem cells of a human embryo could better the treatments of birth defects, diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and cancer. The finding of these stem cells and their uses established a moral standstill within medicine and society.

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.

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.

Embryonic stem cells research has challenged the moral ethics within human beings simply because the point at which one is considered a “human,” is still under debate and practically incapable to make a decision upon.

Opponents to stem cell research challenge that “demand for embryos may encourage laboratories to grow them for the sole purpose of research, in effect producing embryos with the knowledge that they will be killed in the process” (Preface to “Is Stem Cell Research Ethical?”). Because of the medical benefits of adult and induced pluripotent stem cells, the use of embryonic stem cells have decreased. To continue searching for more possible cures of stem cells, excess embryos to the “needs of in virto fertilization, rather than be destroyed, [] should be used for basic biomedical research” (Embryonic Stem Cell Research Fulfills Christian’s Duty to Save Lives). Although embryonic cells are one stem cell that researchers are exploring, these types of cells are not the only types. Researchers are exploring more alternatives to embryonic cells including the induced pluripotent stem cell and stem cells from other types of blood that have shown promising results and may soon end the testing on embryonic cells. In fact, in the case of Joe Davis, Jr. and his brother, the younger brother survived infancy. The treatment allowed both brothers to live healthy lives. “More than 90% of the work involving stem cells is not controversial,” the morals and ethics of using the embryo tends to be the deal breaker (A Beginner’s Guide to Understanding Stem Cells [analysis]). The majority of stem cell research is like most other treatments: there is some risk to the patient but the results of the procedure are projected to be worth it. As stem cell research becomes more popular, opponents challenge that “there has been a proliferation of websites offering dubious treatments, luring people with incurable diseases who are emotionally vulnerable” (What Lies Behind the Hype and Hope of Stem Cell Research and Therapy [analysis]). No matter what the treatment is, there will always be scam websites

Francois Rabelais, the famous Renaissance humanist, once said, “Science without conscience is the death of the soul” (Rabelais, Francois). Since the late 1960’s, this has been the stance for opponents of embryonic stem cell research. This is saying, if we are willing to take a fertilized embryo and kill it before it has even had time to develop, where is our conscience, our heart? We consider this form of stem cell research to be immoral and unethical. Scientists are looking for alternatives to this method of harvesting stem cells, similar to adult stem cell research, to provide a better, more humane approach to this breakthrough in science and medicinal therapy.

Stem cell research has been around for almost 200 years, but the research done has only skimmed the possibilities that there is with stem cells.