Simran Mann
Negative Opinion Paper
Biology 3000
Harvesting Embryonic Stem Cells
Harvesting embryonic stem cells can be an argumentative topic with differing opinions. I believe by researching and experimenting on embryonic stem cells, the results can be beneficial to society through medical treatments. I believe this research will benefit medical science into further advancement.
The human body contains more than 220 differentiation cell types that are acquired from a collection of cells that are referred to as embryonic stem cells. Furthermore, these cells originate from an embryo, within the inner cell mass of a blastocyst that is known to be five days old. Moreover, these cells are classified to be pluripotent, which can individualize inside any three layers of the germ. Thus, embryonic stem cells are able to reform relatively any part of the human body. In addition, these cells are capable of cloning endlessly. As a result, these cells can benefit in medicine for both regenerative medicine and medical research.
Regenerative therapy is the process of reconstruction or substitution of new tissue developed with the supervision of embryonic stem cells caused by obscured and impaired tissue from a disease or injury. Therefore, when the stem cells are injected into the patient’s body, those cells locate to the injured area and begin to diffuse and expand by renewing the injured cells; thus, recovering the bodily functions in that area. A few of the illnesses that can be treated through the help of embryonic stem cells are genetic diseases, blindness, Parkinson’s disease, spinal cord injuries, numerous cancers, type one diabetes, and etc.
According to many scientific studies, an embryo is not considered human till it carries out human functions. In the course of harvesting, the embryo is considered to be a bundle of cells like any other cells contained in the human body.
Therefore, if we can either fractionally or completely treat primary disabilities, why don’t we make use of the stem cells? The condition of the embryo is the principal argumentative topic in this research. However, there are numerous approaches of obtaining embryonic stem cells without the procedure of killing the embryo. One process involves obtaining adult stem cells also known as somatic stem cells.
Stem cells have the ability to produce many organs, including but not limited to the heart and spinal tissue. I am a supporter of harvesting the embryonic stem cells to help treat patients around the world. At the end of the day, many women by choice get abortions done, is that not considered “killing a life”? Is that not considered “a sin”? So why not use the embryonic stem cells to help the people in need. I question society by asking them, why would you be opposed to harvesting embryonic stem cells if benefited a member of your family?
In my opinion, it is irrational to put the cells from an immature embryo over living human beings that are living an inadequate life with no decision-making ability. I believe that it is unethical to allow millions of people to suffer, when there are possible treatments available. I think it is ethical to demolish embryos that have not yet started to perform human functions. For example, an eighteen-year-old woman had stem cells embedded into her spinal cord; thus allowing her to take control of her bladder. In addition, this young woman was able to motion her legs and toes after suffering a fatal injury from a brutal car accident that left her spinal cord detached. There is another real life example of three boys in Los Angeles whom all went through stem cell therapy over a bone marrow transplant to treat their damaged immune system. The three boys were treated with harvested stem cells from an umbilical cord blood.
In my opinion, there is no reason to believe the elimination of embryos will threaten public value’s due to numerous years of embryos being constructed for IVF thus, no compelling development has been shown in how society values human life. In addition, the surplus of embryos is going to a waste when the time restriction for preserving stem cells in the freezer has lapsed. Therefore, it is best to utilize them in stem cell research that could treat people. Nevertheless, I believe it is moral to use embryos for treating diseases.
For some, destroying the embryonic stem cells is considered murder; however, I believe that the outcome is beneficial both in the short and long run, when saving the lives of patients diagnosed with chronic diseases. Harvesting stem cells symbolizes medical advancement towards identifying cures for countless disorders. In my opinion, killing a fetus is considered to be an immoral act; however, the same cannot be said about the elimination of an embryo that has no human functions. The harvesting of embryonic stem cells is moral as long as the cells are obtained during the blastocyst phase.
Various countries and religions have deliberated their opinions and moral reasoning’s on harvesting embryonic stem cells. Technology is advancing and our society is emerging. Therefore, prehistoric values and principles need to be reevaluated in order to distinguish between what is right or wrong; and moral or immoral for the present. For example, Buddhist and Hindu leaders are claiming the importance of harvesting embryonic stem cells due to the righteousness of its outcome. Many Hindu followers are accepting this research, as long as, the embryos are less than fourteen days old. The reasoning behind this finding is that the embryo is very young and has not developed human functions. Furthermore, many followers of the Islamic and Jewish faith are now supporting the harvesting of stem cells. However, the main difference is that the Islamic viewpoint is that the embryo has a time limit of fourteen day while the Jewish belief is that the embryo lasts for forty days.
If harvesting embryonic stem cells were honestly believed to be very immoral, then society would have tried harder to ban the research. I believe that my generation is open to new research and accept change when it betters society. Therefore, it is envisioned by many that harvesting embryonic stem cells might be one day accepted by mankind due to the willingness of accepting the advancement of stem cell technology. Similar to these visionaries, I too hope that people accept harvesting of stem cells because many lives can benefit from this advancement.
In my opinion, every embryo is not planned for birth nor every sperm is accounted to develop an offspring. Therefore, if embryos are considered to be viable, so are eggs and sperm. If all three are essentially considered to be “alive,” then society should condone that few embryos are applicable for research material; if not, then we should prevent the acceptance of masturbation considering it a “destruction of sperm” or “killing lives.”
In addition, I believe that embryonic stem cell research will benefit medical science into further advancement, which will eventually reconstruct society’s approach of human life and the benefits of natural resource (embryos for treatment). The source of embryonic stem cells is not the only ethical point to consider, but instead to look at the bigger picture of being able to save numerous lives.

In the human body, there are more than 220 different cell types. All of those cell types are derived from a cluster of cells known as embryonic stem cells.