...Embryonic stem cells are specifically acquired from eggs which have been fertilized through in vitro fertilization. Embryonic stem cells are grown in laboratories using a thorough procedure called cell culture. Through this system the human embryonic stem cells are initially secluded by removing the inner cell mass into a plastic culture dish, which contains a certain nutrient medium that is called the culture medium. While being kept at an appropriate temperature, as well as humidity, the stem cells are able to divide and spread throughout the surface of the dish. At random periods of the generation process the cells are tested to determine whether or not they display the fundamental characteristics which classify them embryonic stem cells This reoccurring system is called "characterization." When they are finally read, the undifferentiated embryonic stem cells are then distinguished into the desired type of cells. Mice embryonic stem cells are also used for research along with the human embryonic stem cells. Embryonic stem cells can develop into countless different cell types, totaling in over two hundred possible types. Under specified conditions embryonic stem cells are capable of propagating themselves indefinitely. Because of their limited capacity for self- renewal, embryonic stem cells can be used for regenerative medicine and tissue replacement after and injury or...
Words: 1252 - Pages: 6
...“Embryo Research is ethically justifiable.” - Discuss Genetic engineering is an umbrella term for all gene modification and research that is taking place in modern science. Embryonic research has results in multiple successes including stem cell research but has come under serious controversy for using potential life for gain with no regard for that life. T - Kantian Ethics is purely deontological looking at doing duty for duties sake not the outcome of an action therefore for Kantian ethics to agree with the statement Embryonic research must pass the categorical imperative. I - An example of embryonic research includes eugenic genetic engineering in which germ-line therapy to create a better ‘race’ of people by changing the genetic makeup of future generations. C - Although eugenic genetics is illegal in most countries, examples have been seen throughout history such as Hitler’s arian race in which he tried to exterminate other unworthy races like jews. K - Eugenic engineering would have to passed the principle of universalisability; in which the moral choice would have to be universal across everyone worldwide without conflict interests. Eugenic engineering would not be successful, by choosing to create a certain race it would create huge conflict from those who do not fit the model. Minorities would be ignored and potentially discriminated upon. E - When applied to the issue, the principle of universalisability becomes an unrealistic choice to make an ethical decision...
Words: 1104 - Pages: 5
...Embryonic Stem Cell Research Embryonic stem cell research has been a topic that has been debated for some time but the benefits of stem cells deserves a second look. Many may be unsure about how research is performed with the stem cells and how we acquire the embryonic stem cells. I believe that after providing some educational information on this, there may be a change in opinion on this First, we need to understand what a stem cell is. A stem cell is a cell that divides via mitosis and then changes into a specialized cell. They can be found in bone marrow, adipose tissue, blood and the umbilical cord. These cells can self-renew to produce more stem cells. From the stem cell, there are stem cell lines. This is a group of cells that descend from one original cell. Cells in a stem cell line are free of genetic defects and create more stem cells. From the cell lines, a cluster can be removed. Researchers can freeze the cells for storage or share with other researchers. This prevents getting the cells from an embryo. Embryonic stem cells come from eggs fertilized at an in-vitro clinic. These embryos are either no longer needed or wanted. There must be an informed consent received to use the embryo. A common misconception is that these are derived from an embryo fertilized inside a woman’s body. This is not true and would be unethical if a doctor retrieved the cells in this manner. Embryonic cells have a higher potential to repair or regenerate tissues and organs that...
Words: 1037 - Pages: 5
...The development of biological advances in this day and age is improving very quickly and the innovation of helping others using various different methods is rapidly changing. Embryonic stem cell research is a very controversial topic in society at this moment and there are many people who believe in the use and many who oppose the method. Embryonic stem cells can possibly be used to cure many of humanities common ailments because of their unique qualities in being able to grow into many different types of cells. With this capability we have the capability to restore failing organs and other diseases. The ethically controversial part of this topic is the method of retrieving such stem cells. Stem cells are derived from an embryo, which requires...
Words: 1064 - Pages: 5
...Embryonic Stem Cell Research Almost everyone in the world knows someone who has suffered because of disease. All people whose lives have been devastated by disease have asked or hoped for a cure. What everyone should know is that a cure is possible, but some beliefs are stopping cures from being found. Embryonic stem cell research could provide solutions to medical illnesses that scientists and doctors have been searching for for years. However, certain belief systems argue that an embryo is a person, and destroying an embryo for research is murder. The essential question concerning stem cell research is summed up by this quote from President Bush, “"As I thought through this issue I kept returning to two fundamental questions," Bush stated in an address to the nation. "First, are these frozen embryos human life and therefore something precious to be protected? And second, if they're going to be destroyed anyway, shouldn't they be used for a greater good, for research that has the potential to save and improve other lives?"” (Update: Stem Cell Research). Embryonic stem cell research is a valid, ethical form of medical research that the United States should fund because it has the potential to cure many diseases, an embryo is not equivalent to a human being, the embryos used will be destroyed even without the research, and the United States will fall behind other nations in biomedical research progress. There are many medical problems that can be solved through stem cell...
Words: 2739 - Pages: 11
...RESEARCH TOPIC: What Makes Most Christians fundamentalist opposed to Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research? RESEARCH QUESTIONS: Scientists have the view that, the use of Human Embryonic Stem Cell will help to cure some diseases like Parkinson’s disease, diabetes and several medical disorders sickness. If this is true, then why are the Christian fundamentalist opposing a research that many people believe it is going to save many lives? Are the Christian fundamentalist using their religious belief or their educational (scientific) knowledge in supporting their argument? Have they conducted any research to find out any harmful effect that Embryonic Stem Cell will bring to people? THREE SOURCES FOR THE RESEARCH Richard M. Doer flinger, Old...
Words: 832 - Pages: 4
...Embryonic stem cell research has been a topic of controversy since the 1980’s when the practice started. Originally this type of research was banned by the federal government, but in 2009 Obama lifted the federal ban and allowed some funding. This type of research has not been accepted by American law or as a common convention. Stem cells have the ability to develop into many different types of cells such as nerve cells, cardiac cells, and liver cells and have regenerate to replace damaged cells. Stem cell research can be so beneficiary to lives and be an extraordinary scientific achievement. The problem is not many people agree. In this type of situation there is no in between the two arguments. Stem cell research should be permitted because...
Words: 1181 - Pages: 5
...Embryonic Stem Cell Research: Felicitous or Unscrupulous DANGEROUS KNOWLEDGE In Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, Dr. Frankenstein's monster is a threat to society therefore, Victor owes it to humanity to act as a safeguard. With the rise in embryonic stem cell research (ESCR), the creators owe society protection as well. In order to combat damage to cells, human embryonic stem cells are used as transplants however, this new technology faces backlash for ethical concerns. THE STUDY OF STEM CELLS, BIRTH DEFECTS, AND DRUG TESTING The most common use of ESCs is dedicated to understanding how these cells work with the purpose of treating “diseases ranging from heart disease to Parkinson's disease to leukemia”(Yu and Thomson). Researchers are also...
Words: 665 - Pages: 3
...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...
Words: 2225 - Pages: 9
...Cells are defined as “a type of cell that can produce other cells which are able to develop into any kind of cell in the body.” There are two main types of stem cells. The first are called Embryonic Stem Cells. They come from 4 to 5 day old embryos that have been fertilized by in vitro fertilization. They are then donated by the donors for research. canThe second are called Adult Stem Cells. They can be found in human tissues such as the blood, bone marrow, liver, brain and some muscles. People have been studying stem cells since the nineteenth century. On February 2, 1963 two Canadian scientists experimented on mice and found evidence that there are stem cells in blood. Their names are Ernest McCulloch and James Till. In 1968 Robert A. Good performed the first successful bone marrow transplant on a child. This child suffered from an immune deficiency that had killed other people in his family. He grew to be a healthy adult....
Words: 511 - Pages: 3
...Paul Youman Professor Galvez PHI 130 25 February 2015 The consequences of Human Embryonic Stem cell Research To say there are a few topics or ideas out there which cause both scientific and moral arguments is an understatement. Arguably, one of the most divisive scientific advances of the twentieth century and likely an advance with the most potential to improve the wellbeing of mankind; is met with an equal amount of derision and moral objection. The human embryo is nothing more than a mass of stem cells, or cells without specific function, yet. The embryo isn’t likely to have feelings or sense of awareness, but it is how every human starts life and if given roughly 14 days in the womb, would develop the beginnings of a heart, brain and...
Words: 1737 - Pages: 7
...This means that these stem cells are being humanly cloned. There are two types of cloning: therapeutic cloning and reproductive cloning. Both start the same but have a different end result. Therapeutic cloning ends with the development of stem cells taken from the embryo, and reproductive ends with a baby (“Embryonic Stem Cell…”). This is where it becomes extremely controversial. Since both cloning devices start the same way, it truly means that the embryo is alive and could become a baby if taken the reproductive way. However, if scientists go the therapeutic route that organism is destroyed in order to possibly cure a disease. Again, this is unethical because the embryo does not have a say and cannot use its right for freedom of speech. Imagine being in...
Words: 781 - Pages: 4
...Ron Kind said, “More important is the fact that embryonic stem cell research could lead to new treatments and cures for the many Americans afflicted with life-threatening and debilitating diseases." Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research is greatly debated between religious and scientific groups. “Killing the embryo” or scientific research to figure out how to save others, regrow bad organs, and solve the mysteries of many diseases. Embryonic cell research may sound like a horrible ordeal but could help us solve many issues that are dealt with today. First off there is the fact that we should probably understand what it is. Embryonic stem cells are the cells of the inner cell mass of a blastocyst, which is an early-stage embryo. Human embryos reach the blastocyst stage 4-5 days post...
Words: 827 - Pages: 4
...Beginning more than thirty years ago, in 1981, scientists have unearthed ways to derive embryonic stem cells from mice, eventually gaining the knowledge to extract them from humans, in 1998. Embryonic stem cell research is when an egg and sperm cell is obtained from a donor, mixed in a Petri dish, and the egg is fertilized to produce a stem cell line for research.The scientists begin this process by conducting in vitro fertilization, or an egg being fertilized out of the womb, and into a lab setting. A stem cell is essentially a “blank” cell, that’s capable of becoming another more differentiated cell type in the body, such as a skin cell, a muscle cell, or a nerve cell. In this case, a host cell where the embryo can prosper and grow to be used later on for research. In humans, mice, and other mammals, the embryo is a ball of approximately one hundred cells at this stage. Although embryonic stem cell research has great potential in deciphering the cause behind puzzling disorders such as Type 1 diabetes, Parkinson's, and heart infractions,...
Words: 771 - Pages: 4
...Embryonic Stem Cell Research: Its Pros and Cons Because of its concept, embryonic stem cell research has become a hot topic in debates among scientific researchers, moral activists, religious groups and governments. It is a relatively a new science that holds medical treatments for many debilitating diseases and disorders affecting people today. But like other new scientific technologies, it is also believed to potentially do harm. To get a good insight about this type of research, let us take a look at some of its pros and cons. List of Pros of Embryonic Stem Cell Research 1. It can help treat many diseases. As scientists direct the differentiation of embryonic stem cells into specific cell types, they will be able to use the resulting differentiated cells to treat certain diseases, which include diabetes, traumatic spinal cord injury, Duchenne’s muscular dystrophy, heart diseases, and vision and hearing loss. It is also claimed to have the potential...
Words: 556 - Pages: 3
