So by now, everyone has heard about how controversial stem cell research is. It has been a major issue in elections and scientific research for years, if not decades. Words like “murder” and “life-saving cures” have been thrown around, and everyone is just plain mad.
Some people claim:
while other people argue:
and others just try to lighten the mood.
I’ve always been really hesitant to take a side because I don’t completely understand how stem cell research actually works. So I’ve decided to find out. What are stem cells? Who is affected? Why is it so controversial?
Basically, stem cells are cells that can change into many different kinds of specialized tissue. There are four types of stem cells: adult, umbilical (from umbilical cords), fetal (from aborted human fetuses), and embryonic (from human embryos) stem cells. As far as we know, adult cells can only turn into several different types of tissue. Fetal and embryonic cells are the most flexible, but they’re also the most controversial because the process of obtaining them requires scientists to destroy the embryo.
This embryo can either be conceived, or made by cloning a cell from the patient’s body and a donated egg. Either way, some groups argue that an embryo is still a life, and taking it apart in the name of science is not ethical. Others say that the embryo was created through artificial means anyways, and stem cells could save many other lives by turning into functional organs.
It would seem that this ethical debate will continue regardless of how successful the research is; if scientists can grow organs from embryonic stem cells but not from adult stem cells, embryonic cells would have to be used to create any other organs in the future.
So how do you think this should be regulated? One idea could be that researchers first have to show promising results with mouse or other lab animal stem cells before getting funding to work with human stem cells. Or should only adult and umbilical stem cells be used at all?
Sources:
http://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/life/cellular-microscopic/question621.htm
http://science.howstuffworks.com/life/cellular-microscopic/stem-cell6.htm
The issue of stem cells certainly has been a complex and controversial issue for many years. However, I have never been able to see or tell why some people take offense to it, particularly with embryonic stem cells. The embryos are not being sacrificed in vain; they are being used to help miraculously solve some of the most difficult medical issues of our times. We have already seen many, significant advancements because of stem cells, and surely we will see more of them in the future, so it should go without saying that a few sacrifices can be very beneficial to many in medical need.
This really is a huge controversial topic, and I believe partly so because it involves religious beliefs so heavily. To start with, I believe that only adult and umbilical stem cells should be allowed to be used. In my opinion, if the research would destroy the embryos ( which I view as murder), then what wouldn’t we do to advance science? If a definitive side was ever taken in this debate it would affect all of science. A major theme in science and research is “where do we draw the line?” I think that if it became more widely accepted that embryos be used for research then scientists would keep pushing things further and further. And I personally would be scared to see where we as a society ended up. No matter how “large the potential” something has to save lives, we have to hold some things as sacred, or we might start to lose our humanity. Even if we ignore the moral issue for a moment of stem cell research, I think that if everyone truly considered the massive effects this would have (allowing stem cell research I mean), not just the possible positive effects, they might be a little more wary of the situation. We always have to think, “at what cost?”
I like that you chose this topic to write about because, although it is controversial, I believe that it is very important. I do not want to offend anyone, but I believe that scientists should be allowed to go forward with stem cell research. I’ve learned about the amazing potential it has, and I do not think that is something we can just forget about. Stem cell research could save thousands of lives and improve the lives of millions worldwide. I feel very strongly about this issue. How do you feel? Do you think that scientists should be able to conduct research with stem cells? I know their will always be people who oppose it (similar to the abortion issue), but I just cannot see their side. I think that the potential for the advancement in medicine is just too important. I hope that in the near future scientists are allowed to more freely research stem cells.