...the use of stem cells. The pros of stem cell research outweigh the cons. So what exactly is a stem cell? A stem cell is a very versatile cell that has the remarkable ability to grow into almost any kind of cell that your body would need. Stem cells are able to effectively replace damaged cells in the body. Stem cells function as an internal repair system, dividing and multiplying without limit to replace other cells in the body while it is still alive. When a stem cell divides and replicates, the new cell that has been created has the ability to become another type of cell with a specific function. The new stem cell can also remain as a stem cell. When treating cancer with radiation therapy, more than just cancerous cells are destroyed. Dead cells from the brain, kidneys, lungs, liver and heart could be re-grown with the use of stem cells. It does not matter the type of injury sustained, or the disease that was contracted, stem cells have the ability to replace dead or faulty cells with new fully functioning healthy cells. Stem cells can even be used to effectively clone an organ for transplant. Stem cell research has the potential to do a lot of good in the medical environment. Since this is the case, why is there so much controversy surrounding the research? The controversy involved in stem cell research has to do with the way in which stem cells are harvested. There are three main methods of extracting stem cells – adult cells, umbilical cord cells and embryonic...
Words: 852 - Pages: 4
...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...
Words: 1220 - Pages: 5
...could research and experiement with meds and possible cures for the disease. Shortly after becoming an activist he started the Michael J. Fox Foundation. Since 1991, when he was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease (a degenerative brain disorder that affects movement), actor Michael J. Fox has been a vocal advocate for stem cell research. His foundation has donated more than $205 million to help fund Parkinson's research. Fox and his foundation are hoping that scientists will one day be able to coax stem cells into producing dopamine, a chemical in the body that is deficient in patients with Parkinson's disease. Fox focuses on other drug and treatment options; adult stem-cell research continues to show promise of helping individuals with a variety of medical issues. Writing in National Right to Life News, Dr. David Prentice, senior fellow for life sciences at the Family Research Council, says that adult stem cells remain the only type of stem cell used successfully to treat human patients. They are the one and only gold standard for clinical treatments with stem cells. Prentice explained that adult stem cells have many notable advantages over embryonic stem cells. They can be isolated from numerous tissues, including bone marrow, muscle, fat, and umbilical cord blood and isolating the adult stem cells from tissues of a patient or a healthy donor does not require harming or destroying the donor, giving adult stem cells a decided ethical advantage over embryonic stem cells. Also...
Words: 535 - Pages: 3
...“Embryonic stem cell research has the potential to alleviate so much suffering. Surely, by working together we can harness its life-giving potential.” These words from the renowned former actress, Nancy Reagan, demonstrate the vast functions and significant impacts of stem cells in life. Stem cell research has come a long way since the nineteenth century as a cure for diseases and a savior of life. Most people view it as a method that aids researchers in advancing the use of embryos, however, stem cell research seems to have negative aspects as well. While using stem cells for treatments, it can involve the destruction of embryos, can lead to lethal side effects, and crosses ethical boundaries. Stem cell research has been an ethical dilemma...
Words: 1508 - Pages: 7
...Is Embryonic Stem Cell Research Ethical? The introduction and expansion of embryonic stem cell research initiated a highly debated ethical topic. Can our society agree to disagree? What are embryonic stem cells? What are stem cells? Is all stem cell research considered abortion? Debates surrounding embryonic stem cell research is further complicated by social standards and needs, religious beliefs, and personal morals. In November of 1998, a group of researchers announced that they had successfully isolated and grown a special kind of cell with the potential to develop into virtually any kind of human tissue. The scientists had made the discovery of embryonic stem cells. The discovery was considered to be an innovative experience with immeasurable capabilities in the field of biological research. The research experts and scientific community believed the new discovery could lead to new methods of drug development, improve understanding of biology, and aid in the advancement of tissue and organ transplantation. They realized that there would be legal, ethical, political, and technical obstacles to overcome, but they never envisioned the “sleeping giant” that was woken due to this historic discovery in science. Stem cells are classified into two main types: embryonic stem cells and adults stem cells. Embryonic stem cells come from embryos that have developed from eggs that have been fertilized by male sperm or in a petri dish in a lab by artificial insemination...
Words: 951 - Pages: 4
...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...
Words: 403 - Pages: 2
...Caravelcov Global Health Care Issue The controversial issue of stem cell research has ethical, and moral issues that needs defined as to what can be funded and what cannot be funded. Stem cell research offers insight into some of the most disabling diseases but more research must be completed before the treatments can be used for humans. A controversial issue The stem cell research is controversial because of the ethics concerning the legality of using the cells for research, safety for the consumer, and morally wrong to destroy the embryonic stem cells. Both sides have conflicting...
Words: 1923 - Pages: 8
...The 21st century is characterized for its technological advancements. Rapid renovation in medical research, disease treatment, and advanced quality of life has marked the turn of the century. Recent development in stem cell research has brought forth an ethical debate; whether research to achieve new medical remedies is permissible at the stake of, arguably, the unborn life of frozen embryos or if stem cell research should cease at the cost of disease stricken people worldwide to preserve an embryo that may never be born. 1. Massage (Articulate) the Problem: a) What is the current undesirable situation? Identify and define issues in the dilemma. The current undesirable situation pertaining to frozen embryo donation is the donor being forced to keep frozen embryos against their own discretion. It may be unfavorable to keep embryos frozen for an extended period of time because of the financial burden. To extract, freeze, and preserve embryos, clients can expect to pay an initial fee of approximately $10,000. According to USCFertility, client can also expect a storage fee of $500 per year and to thaw frozen embryos an additional payment of $5,000 is required (uscfertility.org). Another issue apart of this ethical dilemma is whether embryos are classified as a person or property. If assumed to be property, it is debatable whether preservation of embryos can be mandated. Lastly, and perhaps the most controversial component of this dilemma is defining “conception” to establish when...
Words: 1192 - Pages: 5
...Stem Cell research is a very controversial topic in today’s society. This topic brings up many ethical questions about it is right to do the research or not. Stem cells come from embryos that are only a few days old. The ethical issues that arise are many. If one believes that an embryo is a baby upon fertilization, then one would feel that this was unethical to do the research no matter what the benefits would be. On the other hand, some feel the benefits of what can be learned from stem cell research outweighs the ethical and moral dilemmas that are argued. This long debate brings about many questions about the ethical approaches, that there have been restrictions placed on the research in the lines of what type of embryos can be used for the research. Ethical or not there are always two sides to debate, stem cell research is no different. Throughout this paper I will discuss the ethical issues that stem cell research brings into light and the benefits that stem cell research brings into light that may just outweigh the ethical issues, then determine it these benefits and ethical issues really make stem cell research the most beneficial way to help cure diseases such as juvenile diabetes, Parkinson’s disease or even spinal cord or neck injuries. Argument for Research Stem Cell research can help scientist discover more about human cells and how they grow, change, and replace damaged cells within the body. The information that can be learned is priceless. Using this research...
Words: 2970 - Pages: 12
...Experimentation Critique Stem Cells Abstract According to human guidelines, human stem cell research is questionable. The main ethical dilemma revolves around whether or not an embryo is a human being of a cluster of cells. Stem cell research has the ability to provide treatment for many of today’s incurable diseases and disorders, and it is apparent this type of research produces many ethical issues in which one can consider both positive and negative for such research. Experimentation Critique Introduction Stem cell research is a modern method of discovering new medical break throughs. Research is involoved, using human embryos, causing heated moral debates. Human –nature and goal-based ethics theories apply to this controversial debate. The debate lies in the determionation of the embryos with moral status is owed. There has been extensive research in the underlying law and religious ethics surrounding the use of embryos for medical reasons. Discussed, is the debate, controversy, and opinion of government officials, in relation to the ethics involving stem cell research. Issues/Conflict Stem cell research proposes many ethical issues. The basis of this issue is that embryonic stem cells research holds such vast promise for so many people but obtaining the cell means destroying embryos. The ethical conflict brought on by stem cells means destroying embryos. The ethical conflict brought on by stem cell research is whether or not it is acceptable by social standards...
Words: 901 - Pages: 4
...The Ethical Issue of Stem Cell Research Shawn Black PHI 107 Professor Joseph Scahill November 14, 2008 Stem cell the new frontier of medical break through poses an important ethical dilemma for humanity do we support the destruction of embryos to further science or do we support the protection of embryos. We are faced with a critical decision to protect embryos from being a part of a science experiment or do we think that it is ethical to kill a few embryos in the name of science. I will discuss the pros and cons of stem cell research. I will discuss the positive outcomes associated with stem cell research from a medical aspect and the negative outcomes from a biological aspect. I will also argue for stem cell research and against stem cell research. What is Stem Cell Research? Stem cell research is the use of cells retrieved from embryos which are capable of becoming all or many of the 210 different types of tissues in the human body. Stem cells have traditionally been defined as not fully differentiated cells or tissue types. The use of these undifferentiated cells or tissues is used to replicate cells in the human body. These cells are from embryos fertilized between days 5-7 of human development. The cells are then retrieved from the embryo and used by researchers to replenish dying or damaged cells in the body. These cells show great promise to help solve medical illnesses and diseases. The argument we face with this type of research is...
Words: 1829 - Pages: 8
...Technology Integration: Stem Cell Research HCS/578 May 26, 2012 Linda Bell JD, BSN, RN Technology Integration: Stem Cell Research Stems cells are the building blocks of the human body. Stems cells are valuable because of their capability to develop into other cell types. Studies have been conducted that suggest that stem cell could be used to repair or regenerate damaged organs or tissues and treat an assortment of medical diseases, such as diabetes, or Alzheimer’s along with the development of new medications. Three types of stems cells exist embryonic, adult, and foetal, which are found in human tissue and animals. This paper will highlight ethical dilemmas of stem cell research. It will also stress the effects stem cell research has on global health. The paper will also feature health policies on stem cell research in the United States and how these policies differ from international policies. Ethical Dilemmas Posed by Stem Cell Research Several ethical issues need to be considered on the use of this type of research, such as the safety, legality, and morality of stem cell research. Stem cell research requires the general population to pick among two moral principles. The first one is the obligation of preventing and alleviating suffering and the obligation to respect and value human life. The use of embryos for stem cells research results in “...the destruction of blastocysts formed from laboratory-fertilized human eggs” (Mukhopadhyay, Tokas, & Mathur...
Words: 1431 - Pages: 6
...Name: Jeanette Khoury Title: Stem Cells Save Lives 1. Excite a. Good afternoon everyone b. I am honored to have been given the opportunity to speak with you all today. c. What if you or someone you know was told they would not be able to walk within the next 10 years but there is a cure out there that you are unable to have? 2. Launch d. I am here today to speak with you about the potential uses of stem cells, the funding for stem cell research and the ethical debates of stem cell research. e. If you knew that there might be a potential cure for a disease, would you want the government to follow the lead and explore the possibilities? The answer for me is yes. 3. Relate f. Four years ago, my aunt was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and told that she may not be able to walk in 10 years. g. While there currently is not a cure for MS, the use of stem cells will have a huge impact on treatments and possibly a future cure for this awful disease. 4. Persuade h. Stem cell research can have a significant impact in many areas of medicine. i. There are a variety of diseases and injuries in which a patient’s cells or tissues are destroyed and require organ or tissue transplants. 1. Stem cells are able to potentially create brand new tissue 2. Stem cells may be able to cure diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s disease, cancer, type 1 Diabetes, spinal cord injuries, stroke...
Words: 1222 - Pages: 5
...Ethical concerns about stem cell research What is stem cell research? ‘’Stem cell research is a relatively new technology that takes primitive human cells and develops them into most any of the 220 varieties of cells in the human body.’’ What is stem cell research? ‘’Stem cell research is a relatively new technology that takes primitive human cells and develops them into most any of the 220 varieties of cells in the human body.’’ * It is the destruction of a human embryo that could grow into a baby * The stem cells are taken from pluripotent cells in human embryos (ethical concern) * If done once it could be repeated several times after for various other researches. * Not all ethical concerns and implications have been met * Very expensive * Till now, no human being has ever been cured of a disease using embryonic stem cells. * ‘We should (and will) develop more ethical methods (e.g. adult stem cells) which will enable us to research ethically.’ * It is the destruction of a human embryo that could grow into a baby * The stem cells are taken from pluripotent cells in human embryos (ethical concern) * If done once it could be repeated several times after for various other researches. * Not all ethical concerns and implications have been met * Very expensive * Till now, no human being has ever been cured of a disease using embryonic stem cells. * ‘We should (and will) develop more ethical methods (e.g. adult...
Words: 476 - Pages: 2
...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...
Words: 1712 - Pages: 7
