...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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...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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...Ethical Conflicts in Stem Cell Research Stem Cells research presents social and ethical concerns when it uses human embryos. In embryonic stem cell research, the early embryo has to be destroyed in order to obtain embryonic stem cell. And for some people, it means destroying a potential human life. From the utilitarian viewpoint, the benefits of stem cell research are greater than the ethical issues of destroying embryonic life, the end justifies the means. However, President Bush said, “While we must devote enormous energy to conquering disease, it is equally important that we pay attention to the moral concerns raised by the new frontier of human embryo stem cell research. Even the most noble ends do not justify any means,” and he vetoed embryonic stem-cell bill in 2006. A possible solution to the dilemma is in the latest research of adult stem cells that can be isolated and developed. With more successful research on the adult stem cells, “there may be no reason whatsoever to use embryonic stem cells. (1).” And also, researchers have discovered a novel reprogramming method of adult cells to create embryonic stem cells without embryo in 2014 (2). Embryonic stem cell research is unethical that destroying an embryo is like killing a child. Many believe that embryonic stem cells are living cells with a potential for life. But supporters argue that embryonic stem cell research can be used to find the cure for diabetes, heart disease, spinal cord injury, and Parkinson’s disease...
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...Great Stem Cell Debate Stem cells have promised to be the new breakthrough in medicine; promising cures for diseases such as diabetes, macular degeneration, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and spinal cord injuries. With all the potential stem cells have, why are we not using them to alleviate suffering for people? There is actually a lot of pushback on the use of certain types of stem cells. Between ethical and religious concerns, not much progress can be made to further our knowledge of this extraordinary cell. Everyone has differing opinions about stem cells and how they are used, but many do not know all the facts. Stem cells have the ability to cure diseases that we never thought to be possible, but we can only get to that point by continuing our research. Stem cells are defined as “unspecialized cells that have the potential to develop into many different cell types in the body” (Class Note). They are the cells that specialize into bone, blood, and muscle cells. They can replace damaged or old cells when injected and heal the compromised spot. If we can find a way to regenerate damaged tissues or organs, many fatal illnesses and injuries could be treated, or even cured. They have attracted the attention of the scientific and medical community because of their amazing ability to differentiate into specific cell types. Stem cells have the best possible hope for the future in regenerative medicine. There are two kinds of stem cells; embryonic stem cells and adult stem cells. Embryonic...
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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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...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 field...
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...been fighting an ethical battle concerning morality of stem cell research. There are various opinions surrounding stem cell research and a vast amount of evidence supporting each side of this controversy. Patrick L. Taylor of children’s hospital Boston describes human embryonic stem cells as the primary cells from which cells in the body ultimately differentiate and develop. Taylor believes that advancements in stem cell research are leading to a medical revolution. Taylor lists a few things it can help with, such as insights into how organs and tissues develop, detailed knowledge of the factors that affect growth and how they interact, and dramatic new research and clinical applications (Taylor). Many people don’t believe that stem cell research is ethical. This opinion is driven mostly because of the destruction of embryos; Society sees this as murder in many cases. President Bush believes the human embryo is understood and valued in terms of its potential to become a gumanbeing. In his words, “Like a snow flake, each of these embryos is unique, with the unique genetic potential of an individual human being”. By comparison, federal policy in the United States is more circumspect insofar as there is no particular attention to the potential of the developing human embryo. If the human embryo was deserving of legal protection on the basis of potentiality, then logically the federal government would have to regulate both the public and private spheres of research. At present, the...
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...Stem Cell Research Legislation Stem Cell Research Legislation In the United States, people have many rights and freedoms that are respected by the Federal Government. As stated in Civil Disobedience by Henry David Thoreau: “There will never be a truly free and enlightened state until the state comes to recognize the individual as a higher and independent power” (225). In the goal to make America a truly free and enlightened state, laws have been enacted to preserve individual rights. With the furthering of medical science, the issue of individual rights vs. government regulation has been raised many times, and the right of the individual has always been held in the highest regard. This is why our government should both legalize and fund embryonic stem cell research. Stem cell laws in the United States have had a complicated legal history. When you look at the government’s power over our individual bodies, one may ask why the government has any power at all. If the majority of the public were to decide what each individual should do in every aspect of their life, our democratic system would be nullified. Our laws are written to recognize individuals’ capability to make their own decisions. We have the right to donate our organs, and that it is our choice. We have the right to donate our entire bodies to science postmortem, and that is our choice. Couples have the right to donate their eggs and sperm for in-vitro fertilization of another couple, and that is their choice...
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...Stem Cell Research Of the several forms of biotechnology, one is stem cell research. “To describe stem cells at the simplest of terms, they are raw materials of the body; cells from which all other cells with specialized functions are generated.” ( 2013. Stem Cells: What they are and what they do. ) “Embryonic stem cells are the fundamental building blocks for some of 260 kinds of cells within the body and can turn into anything: heart, muscle, brain, skin, blood.” (Hollowell, Kelly. 2002.)”Human embryonic stem cells are interesting to researchers because their pluripotency allows these cells to differ into any type of body tissue. There is a insufficient amount of advantages of stem cell research, this being one, but the many disadvantages outweigh the somewhat positivity.“ ( 2010. Disadvantages of Embryonic Stem Cells.) Embryonic stem cells come from embryos that are three to five days old. ( 2013. Stem Cells: What they are and what they do.) Human embryonic stem cells first came abroad in 1998 from embryos donated by couples no longer having the desire to use them for their own infertility treatments. From there on out, hES cell research has evolved into an ethical controversy. In the US, for example, a sizable amount have objected to the fact that five-day-old human embryos are destroyed in this process ( Hyun, Insoo. 2010. The Journal of Clinical Investigation). There are advantages that come from stem cell research, such as potential treatment...
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...Stem cell research is a big ethical dilemma that United States is facing at the time. Jack couleman suggests that ways to approach an ethical dilemma is to first, get the facts straight, and then clarify questions from the stated facts. Concentrating on facts and issues first, provides a clear basis for discussion. After creating the ground for discussion, one can elaborate on the moral status of stem cell research. Jack Coulehan begins with clarifying the type of stem cell that's being discussed in his article. Stem cells such as: “Bone marrow stem cells, and fetal cells from the umbilical cord” don't raise concerning ethical questions due to the property they posses; which is having the characteristics of being able to turn into many different types of cells. The types of stem cells that raise the problematic ethical issues are cells that strictly come from embryos. The potential property that these cells carry makes them unique in having the ability to grow and develop into every organ and tissue of the human body; therefore these types of embryonic stem cells can be the possible answer to the cure of tissues that have been severely deformed due to different types of disease they have encountered. The research has shown some progress, although nothing significant, but the fact that the age of this research is no more than 6 years makes it a hot and exciting topic to keep an eye on and follow the progress. This research may not show results anytime soon, but defiantly will in...
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...An understanding of the types, characteristics, and important benefits of stem cells Aids in understanding the ethical and social considerations of this controversy. There are Two main types of stem cells. One type, embryonic, uses the undifferentiated cells of an Early human embryo to create any new, specialized type of cell (Brignier and Gewirtz S337). Embryonic stem cells are very useful for cell based therapies because they can Develop into more than 220 cell types that are found in an adult, and they have the ability To reproduce in large numbers. They are capable of almost unlimited cell divisions when Placed in culture. This makes embryonic stem cells very flexible and versatile. Using Stem cells to learn about the ways that these cells differentiate, grow, and renew will also Have profound results in the study and cure of cancers, birth defects, diabetes, and spinal cord Injuries, and other diseases caused by dysfunctional cell replication. Research on 3 Embryonic stem cells can also improve drug safety, as a drug can be tested on a stem cell Line before use in a patient (Louis 2009). The embryonic stem cells are extracted from The inner cell mass during the early blastocyst phase of embryonic development. After an Egg is fertilized, generally during in vitro in the laboratory, it begins dividing. The Blastocyst is a hollow ball of about 150 cells. The inner cell mass are the cells located in The inner part of the ball, and once extracted, the embryo is no longer viable...
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...ABSTRACT Stem cells have offered much hope by promising to greatly extend the numbers and range of patients who could benefit from transplants, and to provide cell replacement therapy to treat debilitating diseases such as diabetes, Parkinson's and Huntington's disease. The issue of stem cell research is politically charged, prompting biologists to begin engaging in ethical debates, Stem cell research offers great promise for understanding basic mechanisms of human development and differentiation, as well as the hope for new treatments. However, human stem cell research also raises sharp ethical and political controversies. This paper will discuss the types of stem cells as well as some of the controversies involved in stem cell research. Introduction According to Wikipedia, stem cell can be defined as “biological cells found in all multicellular organisms, that can divide (through mitosis) and differentiate into diverse specialized cell types and can self-renew to produce more stem cells.” A stem cell could be regarded as one of the basic building blocks of the human body. Stem cells are important because they have the ability to become different cell types, and scientists are working on developing ways to use stem cells to repair or regenerate damaged organs or tissues. This could lead to therapies for a whole range of conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, Parkinson's disease or Alzheimer's, although at present it is impossible to tell whether this will happen...
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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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...Death: Stem Cells and People Stem cell research, a growing study among scientists and research, has reached new heights and controversy. In 1998, Dr. James Thomson’s scientific breakthrough of a technique to isolate and grow human embryonic stem cells “offered great promise for new ways of treating disease” (AAA). Many researchers and scientists hope to study the stem cells to understand the process of our cells and the cell development and to correct the problems of cells that create defects in human beings. However, there are certain opponents against such research. They believe that is unethical and morally wrong because the embryonic cells are destroying human life and there are other alternatives to embryonic stem cells such as adult cells and cord cells. Is stem cell research ethical? Yes, stem cell research is ethical and can be used to cure any type of disease or injury. Before divulging into stem cell research, one must understand the types of stem cells and where they come from. According to The National Institutes of Health (NIH) website, stem cells are unspecialized cells that are able to “develop into many different many cell types in the body during early life and growth”…and are “capable of renewing themselves through cell division”. With this mind, the cells could form into any type, helping to repair and replace such cells. While it seems fascinating that these cells can repair certain parts of the human organs, there are only three sources of stems cells that...
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