Stem cell research

Stem cell research

Treatments using stem cells obtained from embryo are a contentious subject in scientific research owing to the fact that there are diverse benefits and pitfalls associated with the research. An informed decision on the subject requires having an understanding of the pros and setbacks of treatments administered using embryo. A significant number of scientists and researchers are of the opinion that using stem cells obtained from embryos is a huge milestone towards the treatment of spinal cord injuries and a number of diseases including diabetes, heart diseases, cancerous growths and Parkinson disease. Scientists and researchers argue that embryonic stem cell research is an important in administering treatment for a number of diseases (Biotechnology Online para. 1). The underlying reason why embryonic stem cell research facilitates human development and the treatment of the identified diseases is because they make use of regenerative cells of an embryo, which have the capacity to reproduce any other cell when placed in the body of another person; this is not the case when using stem cells from adults. In the light of these, it can be argued that stem cell obtained from embryos has the greatest potential for eliminating human suffering, especially after the inception of antibiotics (White para. 7). Ethical issues are bound when using stem cells from embryos. However, there are a number of factors that makes embryonic stem cell research ethical. For instance, during instances of abortion, some good for the human kind can be attained out of abortion. Research cannot be undertaken on adult stem cells owing to the fact they do not have similar aspects when compared to an embryo (White para. 7). This implies that the good outcomes of using stem cells derived from embryos outweigh the bad outcomes of methods. Therefore, saving the existing humanity heavily relies on the using stem cells derived from embryos; as such, stem cells should be obtained from embryos.

Despite the potential benefits associated with using stems cells obtained from embryos, there are numbers of potential issues arising from the using the stem cells obtained from embryos. Those opposing the use of stem cells obtained from embryos, who are mostly pro-lifers individual and organizations, claim that destroying the blastocyst is like committing murder on human life (Ron para. 5). This is based on the view that life commences during conception, and it is not morally acceptable to destroy life that has not been born. On this account, it is not morally correct to save existing humanity using stem cells obtained from unborn life; rather stem cells should be obtained from adults (Experiment Resources para. 9). In addition, scientists and researchers have not given enough attention to assess the benefits of stem cells obtained from adults, which by far have been successful in the treatment of a number of diseases. Scientific research documents that life commences during the period of conception in the sense that embryos comprises of a full genetic structure of an adult human being, which only requires a suitable environment for growth and development. This implies that using stem cells from embryos is somewhat a method of justification of terminating human life. Therefore, stem cells obtained from embryos should not be used; rather, stem cells research can get all that is needed from the adult stem cells (Gina para. 8).

To sum up the issues pertaining to the use of embryos, it is arguably evident that supporters of stems cells obtained from embryos base their argument on the potential that it has on saving human life, while opponents base their arguments on ethical issues involving the termination of human life. Owing to the fact that research has laid emphasis on embryonic stem cells, stem cells that are obtained from adults should also be adequately researched to assess their potential in eliminating human capacity. Therefore, adult stem cell research serves to eliminate the ethical issues around embryonic stem cell research, while ensuring that it eliminates human suffering and offer opportunity for the development of new beings.

Works cited

Biotechnology Online. “Ethics of stem cell research .” 2011. 30 November 2011 <http://www.biotechnologyonline.gov.au/human/ethicssc.html>.

Embryonic Stem Cell Research. “General facts about Embryonic Stem Cell Research.” 2011. 30 November 2011 <http://www.embryonicstemcellresearch.org/get-the-details-of embryonic-stem-cell-research.html>.

Experiment Resources. Stem Cell Research – Pros and Cons. 2008. 30 November 2011 <http://www.experiment-resources.com/stem-cell-pros-and-cons.html>.

Gina, Kolata. “Scientists Bypass Need for Embryo to Get Stem Cells.” 2007. New York Times. 30 November 2011 <http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/21/science/21stem.html?pagewanted=all>.

Ron, Augustine. “Pros & Cons of Embryonic Stem Cell Research.” 2010. <http://www.ehow.com/about_5527138_pros-embryonic-stem-cell-research.html>.

White, Deborah. “Pros & Cons of Embryonic Stem Cell Research.” About.com. 30 November 2011 <http://usliberals.about.com/od/stemcellresearch/i/StemCell1_2.htm>.