...reality. Such topics as stem cell research, in vitro fertilization, and cloning have created quite a stir in scientific communities. However, these advancements do not come without a cost, or without ethical dilemmas. First, a definition of these terms is required. Following that, we will explore some topics and the ethics associated with them. Stem cells exist in all living things. These cells go on to either produce more stem cells or specialize to become different types of living tissue. Stem cells can be broken down into two main classifications, embryonic stem cells and adult stem cells. Embryonic stem cells, as the name would imply, are only found in developing embryos. These cells are the most versatile. On the other hand, adult stem cells are only able to transform into a select few types of tissue. (Bongso & Lee, 2005) In vitro fertilization involves the fertilization of an oocyte outside of the female reproductive system. Fertilization occurs in a Petri dish, after which time the embryo is reintroduced into a female uterus where it is allowed to implant and develop. (Seibel, 2008) Cloning is a scientific method of producing an offspring that is genetically identical to the parent. In cloning, only one parent is required, therefore it is considered to be asexual reproduction. (Rugnetta, 2012) All of these technologies are exciting and hold great promise for mankind. These techniques have the potential to end numerous diseases, prevent devastating birth defects, and allow...
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... CLONING Cloning is a very controversial issue that has undergone severe criticism and debate ever since the technology was invented in 1983 and probably will not have a final end to it.So what is cloning? And why are there many controversies and concerns arising after the invention of this technology? Cloning is the process of generating a genetically identical copy of a cell or an organism. Cloning is a controversial issue because of the social and physiological risks associated with it. Opponents of cloning have concerns that technology is not yet developed enough to be safe, that it could be prone to abuse (leading to the generation of humans from whom organs and tissues would be harvested), and have concerns about how cloned individuals could integrate with families and with society at large. Religious groups are divided, with some opposing the technology as usurping God's place and, to the extent embryos are used, destroying a human life; others support therapeutic cloning's potential life-saving benefits. There are different types of artificial cloning and these are gene cloning, reproductive cloning and therapeutic cloning. Gene cloning produces copies of genes or segments of DNA. Reproductive cloning produces copies of whole animals. Different scientists have different reasons and goal unto why they want to clone and the reasons often directly correlate with the type of cloning to be conducted. For instance Rael who is a...
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...Is Stem Cell Research Ethical? Reginald Lawrence Is it ethical for stem cells for the advancement of medical research? In the 1800s it was discovered certain cells could generate other cells. The 1900s brought upon more research in using stem cells. The ethical issue surrounding embryonic stem cells research arises because human embryos are destroyed in the process. I believe that the benefits outweigh the negatives and that a greater good can come out of using embryonic stem cells. The treatment of diseases and illnesses continually grows and improves. Embryonic stem cells have the potential to help rectify or even cure disease and illnesses that are thought to be incurable. However, the ethical battle over the sanctity of life rages on. Stem cells can be compared to the building blocks of the human body. Embryonic stem cells are pluripotent, they can develop into any other type of cell in the body. They are extracted from a cell before they differentiate. They have the capacity to make any of the 200 different cells in the body and can also self-renew or reproduce themselves. Currently, there are 89 stem cell lines, a family of constantly dividing cells, registered with the National Institute of Health (NIH). The first line was discovered in 1998. In 1996 Congress passed the Dickey-Wicker Amendment, which put restrictions on federally funding embryonic stem cell research if the embryo was created to be destroyed. In 2001, President Bush implemented guidelines to...
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...r and engaging in riveting debates about the numerous possibilities cloning had for our world. In recent years, due to sports injuries and other battle wounds, these possibilities have become increasingly personal for me, even as the technology and the debates have rapidly advanced. It seems that since the discovery of fire humanity has attempted to imitate and manipulate phenomena that nature has had billions of years to develop and perfect. Cloning is a perfect example of such attempts. In nature, cloning is the process by which genetically identical organisms are produced by way of asexual reproduction. With some success, scientists have been working on ways to reproduce this phenomenon through biotechnology, in a laboratory setting. In biotechnology, cloning refers to the process used to create copies of DNA, cells, or entire organisms. Each of these forms of cloning will be described in this paper, which will then explore the issues surrounding cloning from biological, technological and public health standpoints. Molecular cloning, or DNA cloning, is the process of making multiple copies of an isolated sequence of DNA fragments (Strachan & Read, 1999). This form of cloning is most often used in biological research, but is also used in more practical applications such as genetic profiling and protein production. In practice, techniques such as this are often used producing vaccines and researching cures to common ailments. Molecular cloning isolates a desired segment...
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...Prof. Eric Bond EN 102 12/10/2012 LEGALIZATION OF HUMAN CLONING As years pass, more and more gadgets, machines, transportations, and foods are being improved because of the technological advancements. Even the life of humans is improved by the years, where the life expectancy is increasing because of the developed medical research, medicines, and medical equipment. However, developed biomedical methods such as cloning are controversial and in fact 93% of all Americans oppose cloning (Pynes). Cloning is a technique used by researchers and animal breeders to split a single embryo into two or more embryos that will have the exact same genetic information. Because of the controversies against this practice, the United States would not open the door to human cloning and this has led to a debate between the government, and scientists and bioethicists. Cloning is a very controversial topic since it relates to moral values of human beings. Human cloning has become a hot topic for debate as we progress one step closer to successfully cloning and developing a human being. Legislators and the general public have become more concerned about the medical, ethical, social and moral implications of this procedure. The risks involved in human cloning outweigh the benefits, for that reason, human cloning should not be legalized in the United States. Human cloning will cause serious medical issues. Technically, the human gene grows older with age. According to Gary Wickman, an author at...
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...Stem Cell 2 The debate and controversy on stem cell research is so pervasive and passionate that we can get lost in the argument. Let us first explain what the definition of stem cell is: A stem cell is a “generic” cell that can make exact copies of itself indefinitely. In addition, a stem cell has the ability to produce specialized cells for various tissues in the body such as heart muscle, brain tissue, and liver tissue. Scientists are able to maintain stem cells forever, developing them into specialized cells as needed. There are two basic types of stem cell: Embryonic stem cells- these are obtained from either aborted fetuses or fertilized eggs that are left over from in vitro fertilization (IVF). They are useful for medical and research purposes because they can produce cells for almost every tissue in the body. Adult stem cells- these are not as versatile for research purposes because they are specific to certain cell types, such as blood, intestines, skin, and muscle. The term “adult stem cell” may be misleading because both children and adults have them (Healthline, online). The most controversial one is embryonic stem cells because it brings up a huge debate from research opponents who say it is wrong because it destroys human life and supporters say the embryos were going to be destroyed anyway, and that research from their cells holds the potential to cure debilitating diseases such as diabetes, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. Creating embryos intended only for research...
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...Using Human Cloning for Medical Research The subject of human cloning has many different points of view. The utilization of human cloning for the sake of medical research is a path that we, as guardians of the future, should stand up against in an effort to preserve the human race as we know it today. The topic of cloning has many different terminologies as well as types. What is cloning? Cloning is not limited just to humans but is actually all around us. It exists in nature, animals and humans. Cloning is defined as the creation of a genetically identical copy of an existing human or growing cloned tissue from that individual. This term is generally used to refer to artificial cloning; human clones in the form of identical twins are commonplace, with their cloning occurring during the natural process of reproduction. “Human cloning is the asexual production of a human being whose genetic makeup is nearly identical to that of a currently or previously existing individual” (Chesire et al., 2003, p. 1010). To be successful with cloning, scientists utilize and create “generic” cells that that have the ability to make exact duplicates or copies of themselves indefinitely. This process is known as “stem cell research.” Stem cells are a key element of the different types of cloning and will impact advances in helping to cure many different types of diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, diabetes, spinal cord injury, heart disease, stroke, arthritis, and cancer. Before...
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...The Controversy of Genetically Modified Organisms Genetic engineering is an asset to mankind and scientific technology that continues to be unabated to the present. Genetic engineering is the process of putting additional DNA in an organism for a specific purpose. This is done by physically removing a gene from one organism and inserting it into another, giving it the ability to express the trait encoded by that gene (Goldbas). The first successful genetically modified organism was completed by Stanley Cohen and Herbert Boyer in 1973. Stanley Cohen and Herbert Boyer developed recombinant DNA technology that revealed genetically engineered DNA molecules can be cloned in foreign cells. Their experiment displayed that the gene for frog ribosomal...
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...A Pluripotent Challenge Recent advances in human stem cell research have generated enormous enthusiasm on the part of researchers and optimistic predictions of revolutionary advances in biomedicine. These same advances have also sparked considerable ethical debate. The main ethical challenges associated with stem cell research have to do with the source of those cells. Although some advances have been made in the use of adult stem cells, the consensus seems to be that the most promising categories of stem cells are embryonic stem (ES) cells (derived from the five- to seven-day-old embryos known as blastocysts) and embryonic germ (EG) cells, derived from immature aborted fetuses. In fact, there are four main sources of (non-adult) stem cells, and each presents its own challenging ethical issues. The first such source (of ES cells) is the surplus embryos that are a by-product of the activities of in vitro fertilisation (IVF) labs. One ethical concern here has to do with the status of the embryo itself. The degree of respect that ought to be granted to a human embryo is highly controversial. Some hold that the embryo - genetically human and a potential person - deserves our full respect and protection. Others hold that while the embryo may be genetically human, it has (particularly at early stages) none of the characteristics of persons. It is not conscious; it is not self-aware. It is a cluster of cells with no independent ethical status. Still others hold an in-between view, arguing...
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...The Science and Ethics of Genetic Engineering Research & Position Paper Table of Contents DNA Fingerprinting/ Genetically Modified Foods --------------------------------------------------- p. 3 Gene Therapy/Cloning------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ p. 4 Stem Cell Technology------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ p. 5 Position Paper------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- p. 6-7 Bibliography-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- p. 8-10 Evaluation Rubric----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- p. 7 DNA Fingerprinting DNA fingerprinting are tests that help to identify and analyze a person’s DNA. The term “fingerprinting” is used because finger prints, like DNA, vary from person to person and no two people have the same DNA or fingerprints. So, when scientists identify a person’s DNA, it can only be linked back to one individual and can help to obtain information about that specific individual. DNA fingerprinting can be done through many different ways. Some ways are through blood samples from a vein or heel, saliva samples, skin samples, or hair samples. The purpose of DNA fingerprinting is to help link family members together, find things that cause diseases, to help aid in crime scene investigations, and to...
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...cell research while very important in the medical field has and continues to be a source of controversy. Over the years legislation in the United States has gone back and forth over what is deemed acceptable and ethical as it pertains to this research. Due to recent legislation the ability exists to realize the potential of this research both in the United States and globally. It would be in the best interest of humankind for this research to continue with allowance and funding from the government. According to the National Institutes of Health Resource for Stem Cell Research: Stem cells have the potential to develop into many different cell types in the body during early life and growth. Stem cells are distinguished from other cell types by two important characteristics. First, they are unspecialized cells capable of renewing themselves through cell division, sometimes after long periods of inactivity. Second, under certain physiologic or experimental conditions, they can be induced to become tissue- or organ-specific cells with special functions. Given their unique regenerative abilities, stem cells offer new potentials for treating diseases such as diabetes, and heart disease. (n.d.) Although these cells have these unique capabilities to possibly save lives, they are also the center of much controversy surrounding their usage. The debate on the ethicality of this stem cell research continues on today. The battle for legality...
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...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...
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...Technology has on Religion 6 How Religion Will Respond Given Their Principles and Doctrines 7 The anti-aging therapies are raising controversies in science and religion 12 Conclusion 13 References 14 Abstract People figured out early on that living longer would be beneficial if they had the chance to do so. They would be able to spend more time with their friends and family, have more time in life to accomplish things they set out to do, and they could simply enjoy more of what life has to offer. This is a great mindset for anyone to have since life is a beautiful thing and worth living. With all of the advanced medical technology on this specific subject and the new findings that are constantly being done to prolong the human lifespan, we start to enter into the area of what is ethically right and wrong and wonder how much is too much? There are many different forms of medical treatment that can save someone’s life. This will vary from medicine to surgery and many things in between. Not everyone will agree on some of the techniques used, but most people understand why someone would want to save their life. Since people will try to save their own lives if they are dying, many scientists believe that there is no difference in trying to extend a life through medicine, or trying to create a life from another person through a cloning system. This is where the tables turn from helping mankind, to hurting what God has created for us. There are many conflicts between...
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...Much like the decision made by former U.S. President Harry S. Truman in regards to the use of atomic energy against Japan in hopes of concluding the death toll of World War II in 1945, the controversy over stem cell development derives from the same question, just because we possess the ability, does that justify its use? Scientists believe the process of extracting and cultivating stem cells for medical use may unlock the cure for countless conditions plaguing human life. As Arshad Chandry, a highly regarded publisher of The Science Creative Quarterly, states: “Stem cells have generated more excitement, Scrutiny and controversy than any other area of recent scientific study” (1). The research of embryonic cell cultivation is accompanied by three very important questions: is it ethical, is it safe and what can it potentially cure? Researchers in the field claim the ability to treat devastating disease and injuries such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis, and muscular dystrophy, just to name a few, by replacing and fighting damaged cells with cells altered in a laboratory. Until a semi recent softening of government regulations, strict restrictions had severely hindered the legality of this study based on ethical concerns. Cell cultivation was produced from the discovery of mans ability to sustain the life of molecular cells outside of the body. The HeLa cell, as sustained and grown by Dr. George Gey, was retrieved from the malignant cervical tissue...
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...The history of stem cell research on humans in the United States began in the 1960’s, first achieving success in the treatment of patient with severe combined immunodeficiency disorder in 1968. Since the early 1970's, adult stem cells have been successfully used for treatment of immunodeficiency and leukemia. Since the discovery, the ethics of human embryonic stem cells have been debated. As the ongoing controversy over human embryonic stem cells persists, we continue to look for alternative means of acquiring similar task-performing cells. However, many people believe embryonic stem cell research is unethical as they believe life is being taken away in the process. There are a range of opinions about human embryonic stem cell research in the community. The overwhelming issue for most people opposed to embryonic stem cell research is that obtaining inner mass cells inevitably leads to the destruction of the embryo. For those that view a fertilized egg as a human life this is most distressing, others consider the blast cyst nothing more than a ball of cells with the potential to become a human. Debate on this issue is essential. The issue of stem cell research, particularly embryonic stem cell research, became a high-profile political issue in the U.S. during the first year of President George W. Bush's term in office (2001). On August 9, 2001, Bush enacted a ban on federal spending for the purpose of deriving new embryonic stem cells from fertilized embryos. He argued that performing...
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