The human body is made up of more than 200 different types of specialised cells, most of which are dedicated to performing only one function. Stem cells, however, are unique, in that they have the ability to divide and multiply indefinitely, and can differentiate into almost any cell type. They thus have the potential to cure a great range of debilitating diseases, including Alzheimer's, Parkinson's disease, and most forms of Cancer. While stem cells occur at any age, they are neither as versatile nor abundant in the adult body as embryonic stem cells, which can only be obtained from fertilised human embryos. The embryos, which are usually about a week old, are destroyed in the process, and it is for this reason that stem cell research is considered highly controversial. .
As potentially groundbreaking as this research is, there are many who oppose it. The argument most often put forward is that embryos are people, and it is always morally wrong to kill people. But stem cells, and the embryos they come from, are not people. An "embryo- in this context is a group of about 100 cells, too small to see with the naked eye. It is not conscious. It has no capacity to feel pain. It does not think. It does not reason. It has no conceptual awareness. It does not feel emotion. It does not have a conscience. It has none of the defining qualities of a human being. Granted, it is technically a living thing. But if the very fact that this group of cells is technically alive makes it immoral to facilitate its death, then it should also be unethical to destroy plant life, eat meat, fight viruses and kill household pests. Insects have more awareness than human embryos in this stage of development. How many people do you hear advocating the right-to-life of a mosquito?.
Embryos have no awareness at all. They are not human, and to think of them as such, at the expense of the countless living, breathing, self-aware people dealing with terminal diseases that could potentially be cured, is frankly ridiculous.
The Benefits of Stem Cell Research Stem cells are undifferentiated, primitive cells with the ability both to multiply and to differentiate into specific kinds of cells. ... Isn't the regrowth of tissue in stem cell research the same principle? ... Religious groups argue that stem cell research is unnatural. ... The Ethics of Stem Cell Research. ... Fertility Advocates Endorse Stem Cell Research. ...
The future of stem cell research is extremely bright as well. ... Also, the controversy surrounding stem cell research was exaggerated due to the fact that the research method used prior to 2007 concentrated on Embryonic Stem Cells. ... All of these arguments against stem cell research should be cast aside because of the huge benefits that stem cell research can bring to every one all over the world. ... I just do not see the benefit of hindering any form of stem cell research. ... "Bioethics and The Stem Cell Research Debate." ...
However, embryonic stem cell research should not be restricted due to ethical concerns because embryonic stem cell research can be done in a way that satisfies both scientists and pro-lifers, specifically, by performing research only on those embryos that would otherwise be discarded during the in vitro fertilization and by creating strict regulations to uphold a proper code of ethics. ... In his article "Old and New Ethics in the Stem Cell Debate," Richard Doerflinger makes an argument against embryonic stem cell research by exploring its possible ethical implications. ... In "Em...
Cloning, and Stem Cell Research Technology has advanced a great deal within the past few years. ... Kass, was picked by President Bush to head an advisory panel on stem cell research. ... Politicians are also very interested in the debate over cloning and stem cell research. ... So I thought it wise to see what he had to say about stem cell research. ... Bush explained that through private research, over sixty diverse stem cell colonies already exist. ...
Stem Cell Research - The Debate INTRODUCTION: Contemporary medical research and technologies have presented humankind with complex ethical questions and moral realities never conceived. ... This technology is stem-cell research. ... STEM CELL RESEARCH OVERVIEW - WHAT ARE STEM CELLS?... Stem cell research was a victim of these constructed blockades. ... After opposing the public funding of the research during his campaign, Bush decided to support the research and allow government-sponsored research to utilize the sixty existing embryo's stem cells for further research. ...
Embryonic Stem-cell Research is the study of the natural nutrients inside an unborn fetus. ... Embryonic stem cells are pluripotent, that is, they have the unique ability to develop into any of the 220 cell types in the human body. In addition to their versatility, embryonic stem cells are easier to grow in the laboratory than adult stem cells. ... Other religious groups do not take a position on the issue, and some, including many Jewish and more liberal Christian groups, support embryonic stem cell research. ... In each one are so-called stem cells that can grow into any kind of human tiss...
Cloning, and Stem Cell Research Technology has advanced a great deal within the past few years. ... Kass this past year was picked by President Bush to head an advisory panel on stem cell research. ... Politicians are also very interested in the debate over cloning and stem cell research. ... So I thought it wise to see what he had to say about stem cell research. ... Bush explained that through private research, over sixty diverse stem cell colonies already exist. ...
This is precisely what stem cell research does to potentially thousands of human beings. ... Before starting the process of researching the stem cell, it must first be created and extracted. ... To obtain the stem cells, the researcher must now take those same embryos and cut them open, thereby killing it and ending its life. ... If the purpose of stem cell research is to save lives why not try to avoid using the human embryos at all costs. ... With stem cell research thousands of potential lives are being destroyed in order to experiment with possible cures for illnesses. ...
Stem cell research becomes a new frontier in medical science magazines. ... What does the society think about this matter and how does it impact to our ethics and culture? ... After six months, the WARF established a non-profit institute, the WiCell Research Institute, to distribute stem cells for research and to conduct basis stem cell science. ... There is a difference between ethics and personal moral opinions. ... She said that by restricting human embryonic stem cell research, we could slower scientists' progress in producing "the best source of stem cells for future therapies&#...
