...Claim: Embryonic stem-cell research is not ethical because it kills them, it relies on killing young life, others complain against such research on medical grounds, and it wastes resources that could be more wisely spent on grown up stem-cell research and real treatments for patients. The first reason that embryonic stem-cell research is not ethical. Is that according to the article Embryonic Stem Cell Research: experts debate pros and cons, “Other say it kills them.” Because in a scientific way to say it is that the removal of stem cells from this type of embryo requires its destruction. In a simple way, it requires that a human life to be killed. That is another reason that embryonic stem-cell research isn’t ethical. The second reason...
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...Scientific research has come a long way since the first use of human embryos to treat and prevent diseases. The polio vaccine was invented in the 1950’s from the use of human fetal kidney cells, fetuses in uteri were used to develop techniques like amniocenteses and improving knowledge about congenital heart disease in the 1970’s, and in the 1980’s the transplantation of fetal tissue into adults to help with serious conditions like, diabetes or Parkinson’s (Gold, 2004). While there has always been concern and controversy over the use of human embryonic cells, today the debate is ethical. This ethical debate lies within the destruction of human embryos in order to use them for medical research. This paper will talk about how two different theories; utilitarianism and relativism view this ethical issue and the problem it presents, as well as my personal views on use of embryonic stem cell research. The theory of utilitarianism determines what is best by looking at the results of an act. According to Mosser (2010, section 1.7), “utilitarianism argues that, given a set of choices, the act we should choose is that which produces the best results for the greatest number affected by that choice.” When looking at the use of embryonic stem cells for research, utilitarianism looks at the end result. Embryonic stem cells have the potential to save lives by curing diseases and through the use of transplantation. While some utilitarianism’s may still view the destruction of these cells as the...
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...With recent progress in stem cell research, scientist may be approaching an amazing brake though towards the cure. Living an everyday life with such a horrendous disease like ALS is a very tough thing to do, mentally and physically. Embryonic stem cells are being used in order to help reduce the symptoms caused from Lou Gehrig’s disease and hopefully another step forward towards the cure. People in the community, who are against abortion and the use of embryo stem cells, are highly against this and are beginning to protest against the ALS Foundation website. The research I have conducted has taught me about man kind and what we are willing to do once we understand the reality of a subject or disease. We as humans are not always as harsh and rude, when we are faced with death or disaster, we always seem to find a way to come together and help each other in a time of need. Although ALS researchers may not be using the most standard types of research, at least the scientist are still trying. The important thing is that we are coming together, as a community, and trying to support people in need from this terrible...
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...Can We Afford to Not Explore Stem Cell Research? An Argument in Support Stem Cell Research John P. Bailey English Composition, ENG101V2A Professor Rosenberg August 8, 2011 Abstract In recent years, a battle has resurrected between fundamentalist conservatives and science and medicine. Fundamentalist-minded religious factions have made a hard line stance that embryonic stem cell research is destructive towards life. Stem cells can be derived from the destruction of human embryos. Fertility clinics, the largest provider of stem cells, supply for research embryonic cells and in-vitro-fertilized embryos. The scientific world has asserted that embryonic stem cells have a regenerative nature and possess the potential to repair almost every type of damaged tissue. In terms of medical advancement, the future benefits of stem cells are tremendous. While examining the sources of these embryonic stem cells and their alternative disposal, I will assert that ignoring embryonic stem cell research is tantamount to neglectful suffering and death. The possibilities of the associated medical advancements are enormous. Can We Afford to Not Explore Stem Cell Research? An Argument in Support Embryonic Stem Cell Research Embryonic stem cells are in the vanguard of research with the greatest potential in the biomedical world of today. Stem cells have unheard of qualities that strike the medical field as...
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...STEM CELL & CELL CULTURE Differences between embryonic and adult stem cells. One of the differences between embryonic and adult stem cells is the cell potency. Cell potency comes from the term potential and basically means a cells’ potential to differentiate and take on different functions. Embryonic stem cells are pluripotent and thus can form all types of cells (endoderm, mesoderm, and ectoderm). Adult stem cells on the other hand are mostly multipotent, meaning the cells can only differentiate to different cell types from the same tissue of origin. For instance, blood stem cells can differentiate into many different type of blood cells but cannot differentiate to become muscle or neuron cells. To put it simply, adult stem cell are more specialized (focused on a particular tissue lineage) whereas, embryonic stem cells are more versatile. (Stem Cell Research- Pros and Cons, Date retrieved: 17th September 2011) Another difference between adult stem cells and embryonic stem cells is the ease of culturing these cells. It is significantly easier to cultivate embryonic stem cells in comparison to adult stem cells. Adult stem cells are hard to isolate in mature tissue and have a hard time surviving past a few generations during the in-vitro culturing. Considering stem cell therapy requires a large amount cells, embryonic stem cells are a more feasible alternative as they can grow rather easily in the lab. (Stem Cell Information, Date retrieved: 20th September 2011) However...
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...Research paper on Stem Cell Research Legislation and the related legal issues: What is the history of Stem Cell Research Legislation in the United States? How does it compare to comparable statutes in the rest of the world? In this paper talk about what the current legislative state of affairs is and where the law on stem cells in the United States should go in the future and why. Make sure you use ample research and cited sources to support your arguments but make sure to state your own opinion on the issues as well. Stem Cell Research TJ AS OF: 2/4/2009--Introduced. Stem Cell Research Improvement Act of 2009 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct and support research that utilizes human embryonic stem cells, regardless of the date on which the stem cells were derived from a human embryo. Limits such research to stem cells that meet the following requirements: (1) the stem cells were derived from human embryos donated from in vitro fertilization clinics, were created for the purposes of fertility treatment, and were in excess of the needs of the individuals seeking such treatment; (2) prior to donation, it was determined that the embryos would never be implanted in a woman and would otherwise be discarded; and (3) the individuals seeking fertility treatment donated the embryos with written informed consent and received no financial or other inducements. Requires the Director of the National Institutes of...
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...may have heard of stem cell research. Embryonic stem cells have the amazing ability to theoretically grow back any body part. They have the potential to morph into any of the 220 cell types found in the body (Robinson 1). It has the restoration power capable of reestablishing functions of the body as well, such as eyesight. The drawback to stem cell research is that it requires baby fetuses to acquire the material. Stem cells differ from other cells in the body, as they are capable of dividing and rebuilding themselves for long durations of time. This is unlike muscle cells, blood cells, or nerve cells. They are not able to replicate themselves, while stem cells can do it many times. This means that if stem cells are kept in a laboratory over a long period of time, they can yield many other stem cells. Another property of stem cells is that they are unspecialized, meaning that they do not help with anything in the body. For example, they are not able to help the heart pump blood in the body. However, stem cells can become heart muscle cells and blood cells, which could do that function. A third property of stem cells is that they become specialized cells. This is called differentiation, when the stem cell morphs into a cell that will have a specific function in the body (Robinson 1). In the last five years, China has increased its research funding greatly in the field of stem cell research. They have been focusing mainly on bone marrow and embryonic stem cells. China has already...
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...Embryonic Stem Cell Research In 1998, the world was introduced to the start of embryonic stem cell research. It has since been the topic of a heated debate between politicians, religious figures, ethicists, theologians and scientists. It raises the question of whether or not the ends justify the means. Many people seem to have a different answer to this question but the overall response from a Catholic position, from an individual and Catholic Church standpoint is loud and clear: embryonic stem cell research is immoral. The sanctity of life is held in high regard in the Catholic tradition, therefore making embryonic stem cell research morally wrong. To justify this, it is important to consider whether or not an embryo is a human from perspectives that are for and against this research, and their justifications. Whilst there is no united Catholic view, drawing from traditional ethics and Catholic principles can give an estimate of the overall Catholic perspective on the treatment of human embryos as opposed to the foreseen medical benefits on the other end of the spectrum. In a broad sense, the use of human embryos is unjustifiable and wrong in the eyes of the Catholic community, no matter how promising the benefits are as it involves the killing of an embryo, and thus by extension, can be regarded as murder. “We value the preciousness of life…as far as IVF embryos are concerned, those who have the responsibility make those decisions, have already made an important ethical decision…the...
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...Stem Cell Research Michael Koehler BCOM/275 April 27, 2015 Mrs. Johnson Stem Cell Research There are an estimated three million adults and children fighting Type 1 Diabetes in the United States alone, with that number growing by more than 15,000 cases per year. Over the course of the past fifteen years, scientists have discovered that using human embryonic stem cells can soon cure not only Type 1 diabetes but other such illnesses like Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, Lou Gehrig’s disease and many others. Although nearly 65% of Americans are in support of Embryonic Stem Cell Research, there are still a large group who is against the study and use of human embryos ("Type 1 Diabetes Facts", 2015). Faith As an appeal to their faith, most of the people who fight the use of embryonic stem cells, view the embryo as human, even though it is retrieved early, during the stage of development when an embryo is still a zygote. The Catholic faith believes that life is sacred from the moment of conception, saying that the use of embryos is “immoral, illegal and unnecessary” (US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health, 2009). Say a woman is facing the choice to abort her baby because it will be born with birth defects or illness or because it is a baby being born from rape, religious belief is much more lenient on the choice she makes. What if a woman already has...
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...30 years there has been debate over Stem Cell Research. In November of 1998 when researchers first reported the isolation of human embryonic stem cells. The discovery, made by Dr. James A. Thomson, a biologist at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, offered great promise for new ways of treating disease. With this great discovery much debate came over stem cell research. Even though Dr. Thomson research was extraordinary this topic has been in debate for over thirty-years. During this time the legislation had been revised to in compass new advancement in the research along with protect the public interest. The question that is continually being evaluated is the use of stem cell ethical. In 1973, Supreme Court decision in Roe v. Wade rules that decisions about abortion are private, between a woman and her doctor. Some States may not forbid abortion in first two trimesters. This decision sparks a large, politically active anti-abortion movement that opposes research on embryos. Members of Congress become concerned about research exploitation of embryos and fetuses that will be aborted. (Wertz, 2002) In 1974,Congress applies its own temporary moratorium on federally funded clinical research on embryos and embryonic tissue, including research on IVF, infertility, and prenatal diagnosis, until national guidelines can be established. A de facto moratorium continues until the present. Basic, non-therapeutic, research using embryonic cells continues, out of public view. Congress...
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...Shelley Gouin November 10th, 2015 Persuasive Speech/ Stem cell research I. Introduction A.Attention: Did you ever wonder if our generation could ever cure cancer or even give a paraplegic a chance to walk again? Stem cells could be the real answer to these questions. Stem cells are reproductive cells that adopt the qualities of the tissue that it is surrounded by, therefore becoming a part of the tissue itself. B. Thesis statement: Stem cell research has generated new information about basic cell system that is critical to understanding the causes of disease, such as cancer. C. Preview: The state of California has become a world leader in stem cell research. According to the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine, stem cell research has the potential to also treat diseases that are currently burdened with high health care costs. These specific diseases include heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, or diabetes. II. Body A. If stem cell therapy becomes a cure for these diseases it would cripple the healthcare system. Even if stem cell therapy doesn’t entirely cure a disease, reducing its impact would be a massive economic benefit. 1. Most therapies would allow individuals to go back to work. a. This would also allow the caregivers for these individuals to go back to work again. 2. Stem cell research is expected to boom in the biotech industry, bringing new companies to the state of California and creating high paying jobs. a. Individuals states have passed...
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...Stem Cells For as long as humans exist optimal health will continue to remain necessary for a productive life. As new medical discoveries are made each year humans become healthier, and their life expectancy increases. Stem cell research, a relatively new field, aims to improve and lengthen human life. The possibility that stem cells could cure many long term health problems makes this research beneficial to the human race. The value of stem cells comes from their ability to replicate many times and develop into tissue. Scientists suggest that stem cells have the ability to treat debilitating health problems such as: Alzheimer’s disease, spinal cord injuries, strokes, burns, heart disease, diabetes, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis. Scientists obtain stem cells from embryos, adult tissue, umbilical cord blood, and bioengineered cells. The major controversy surrounding stem cell research and therapies is due to the fact that embryos are destroyed when harvesting the cells. Embryonic stem cells, also called blastocysts, exist in three to five day old embryos. Destroying embryos brings up ethical concerns for many individuals. Despite this controversy scientists aspire to use embryonic stem cells because they can differentiate into every type of cells, whereas adult stem cells can be differentiated only into the cells, from where they were originated. In order to decide how one feels about stem cell research, one must first decide when life begins. Does life begin the...
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...Stem Cell Research Legislation and the Related Legal Issues LAWS 310, Legal Environment Course Project Week 6 October 4, 2011 “In the beginning there is the stem cell; it is the origin of an organism's life. It is a single cell that can give rise to progeny that differentiate into any of the specialized cells of embryonic or adult tissues.” STEWART SELL, Stem Cells Handbook Have you ever thought that humans would eventually see the day where we could cure the incurable? That there would be a solution to cancer, AIDS, and birth defects? A miracle among human beings is being researched and it is thanks to stem cell research. Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research (ESCR) is probably the most significant and compelling area of medical research today, whether in reality, or perception, or both. Stem cell research is used for investigation of basic cells which develop organisms. The cells are grown in laboratories where tests are carried out to investigate fundamental properties of the cells. Any step of advancement in this research can create a cure in the world of sickness in ways that were only imagined (Haydock, DeJesus, 2011). The use of stem cells could potentially cure diabetes, Parkinson's disease, spinal cord injuries, heart conditions, and more. The history of stem cell research has endured quite a journey. From being a breakthrough in science to being banned by the President, Embryonic Stem Cell Research has come a long way in the fight to be viewed as ethical and...
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...Stem Cell Research One of the numerous scientific topics that creates a great divide between Americans and political party platforms is the approval or disapproval of stem cell research. There is very firm support and opposition to this topic, and it can often provoke heated discussions amid the general public and those in academia. The core of the debate specifically revolves around embryonic stem cell research and the ethical implications that come with experimentation on human embryos. When discussing stem cell research it is important to obtain some background information to know where the debate originated. “There are three main sources for obtaining stem cells - adult cells, cord cells, and embryonic cells” (Stem Cell Research Pros and Cons). Stem cells are cells that are capable of taking on the form of various types of cells. Research in the 90s began the scientific world’s fascination with stem cells. As studies have progressed, scientists have performed experiments on all three types of stem cells in order to differentiate the stem cells with the purpose of finding possible cures for serious illnesses such as leukemia and even cancer. Doctor Irving Weissman of the American Medical Association states, “Rare leukemia stem cells and cancer stem cells have been isolated that contain all of the tumorigenicity of the whole tumor, and it is their properties that will guide future therapies” (Weissman). Stem cell research opens a world of possibilities for the medical...
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...IS STEM CELL RESEARCH ETHICAL? Is Stem Cell Research Ethical? Devry University ENGL 135: Advanced Composition Fall Session B 2011 Is Stem Cell Research Ethical? For about a decade now, stem cell research has been heavily debated across a wide continuum of people who have a stake in this argument whether it is for personal and/or professional reasons. One of the main reasons for this debate stems from the deeply underlying ethics that lie beneath this issue. To some people with religious and politically conservative convictions stem cell research is sometimes described as an act against God; therefore, the question of whether stem cell research is ethical or not becomes highly relevant and debatable (as well as also being highly charged) these days. However, when viewed from a different (and perhaps rational) lens other than a religious one, stem cell research could also be thought of as a miracle treatment. The reasoning in which it is known as a miracle treatment is simple because it would help end some people’s unnecessary pain and suffering. With this research they are finding that stem cells could help those who are struck with diseases such as lupus, arthritis, breast cancer, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis and even diabetes, along with the most traumatic medical conditions as well such as a spinal cord injury. These days there are several topics that no one likes to talk about, unless these topics are extremely close to the person that they are discussing...
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