Embryonic Stem Cell Research - Essay Example

Embryonic Stem Cell Research Blastocyst encompasses hollow structures in progression of early embryos, which is an important source of embryonic cell lines in humans. These cell lines are not specific to one tissue or organ therefore they have the ability to produce cells of any type. Through studies and research on how these cells work in formation of the skin, blood or even bones it has become possible to also study their functioning as well as what happens when a particular disease attacks them. With these understandings, doctors and researchers can come up with sophisticated strategies such that these cells can have an extended growth capacity and healing in embryos (Atala & Lanza 993). Such strategy is capable of regenerating damaged specialized cells or tissues destroyed by fatal diseases. Embryonic stem cells have two unique properties including their ability to grow and differentiate as well as to replicate infinitely. The ability of the ES cell to self renew indefinitely is the main reason why it is useful in treatments during regenerative medicine and tissue replacement after either an injury or disease. Other than its curative essence, the ES cell is beneficial in studying early developments in human as an in vitro technique in toxicology testing. Researches on the embryonic stem cell have been an issue of controversy over the years from different groups of people like doctors, researchers, philosophers, and the Christians. Everyone has had their different opinion in support or against this new technological research with the aim of curing life-threatening diseases. This research has therefore led to the presentation of a moral problem because in the process of all these, the embryo does not survive. This in turn brings about tension of two important moral principles: the first principle directs people to the value of respect to human life because they argue that life begins from the moment of conception therefore destroying an embryo is more like killing a human being. The second principle entails the alleviation of suffering (James 7). It is evident and logic that harvesting and culturing of the stem cell has a substantial prospective to bring about remarkable benefits in a way of making a certain medical condition less severe thereby satisfying the principle of the second degree. Contrary, harvesting of human embryonic cell has been a crude way of violating the first principle as it leads to the destruction of a potential human life, which has value (James 7). Therefore, no one can respect these two principles simultaneously because they are directly opposite of one another and this is the main reason for the ethical double-edged sword. This has led to the controversy at hand as to which moral principle should have the priority in favor of the other. The big question therefore is to weigh on which principle to have the precedence in this conflicting situation. Should we prohibit the destruction of embryos in the name of research and medicine as it disrespect the value of life or should we permit the destruction of embryo to promote its research, which has excellent potential benefits? Varying conviction between religion and science in regards to Human life’s inception has yielded to uncalled for controversy more so in embryonic stem cell research. Hence, prompting some contended the controversy is about annihilating human embryos for it is by far from ES cell research. Even the staunch dissenters have shown some support and approval towards other stem cell research methods like in vitro fertilization (IVF) clinics and adult stem cell. Some also say that creating and destroying embryos for curing diseases through IVF clinics is not justifiable than the ES cell research. Modern scientific technologies have pushed beyond the domains of morality and this has led to dilemma in the bodies governing the implementation and policymaking (Monroe, Miller, & Tobis 80). This controversy reminds us that of recombinant DNA and in vitro fertilization. Christianity includes various orthodox, Catholicism, and protestant churches. As a whole, these religions lack a unanimous definitive statement on when life begins and when an embryo becomes a person. The only unified opinion between them is the opposition against the embryonic stem cell research because they believe that the fetus in mother’s womb involved God’s work. Therefore, when man tries to interfere with that, it invokes our responsibilities as well as the fetus’ rights. The bible however states how life begins at the first breath of a person and not during conception. In addition, the early Christian philosophers had very little understanding on conception as well as the blastocyst (Monroe, Miller, & Tobis 83). Generally, the Christians do not support the embryo stem cell research despite having contradictory statements over life but that should not be an excuse to take the life we have at hand for granted. Researchers have managed to treat mice infected with diabetes experimentally by establishing the necessary stem cells that are pluripotent. These stem cells will then develop cells that are responsible for producing insulin in the pancreas. Implanted of these cells is done into mice that lost the ability to produce insulin and in turn, these cells was capable of producing insulin biologically normal without any notable defects hence treating the diabetic condition. This has served as a hallmark of trying to make possible treatment for patients suffering from diabetes. The type I diabetes is an autoimmune disease hence leading to the death of pancreatic cells that regulate glucose in the body through insulin production (EuroStemCell, “Type 1 Diabetes”). With all this advantages in place, it is definitely evident that the embryonic stem cells can be more advantageous than the negative effects it has concerning ethical controversy. Personally, as the CEO and president of a pharmaceutical company, I would fully support this technology because it has saved many lives worth another chance to live contrary to the embryos lost during the process. For me to come and agree this partnering is not about the profits made during the treatment but the joy in people after their loved ones have won the battle against this disease. In addition, the treatment is not only specific to diabetes but there are a myriad of other dangerous diseases. Another factor is that with these diseases, the only best hope for cure and relief is only through the embryonic stem cell technology. It is much worse to see someone so full of life pass on compared to another one, which has not shown its potential already. The stem cell research has held a great potential for curing and relieving diseases that affect human beings. Since stem cell is the primary source of all tissues in the body, getting to know how they work and develop will give researchers a rudimentary mastery of the sickness as well as the human biology. Stem cells have all been the source of replacing cells, which have participated in treatment of diverse diseases and even disabilities other than just diabetes type 1. The embryonic stem cell research started in 1998 and gave scientists an understanding into the disease origin as well as leading to more successful treatment of dangerous diseases like cancer, ALS, spinal cord injuries, and diabetes, which is our focus. The most outstanding advantage of using this technology is that it gives the cells of focus one source for many indications. Compared to the adult stem cells, the embryonic stem cells have much more diverse applications. In addition, the ES cell has immune-privilege because they are highly undifferentiated. The advantage of this privileged immune status is that it will remove self-rejection barrier of the embryonic stem cell therapies. Lastly, another unique advantage is that ES cell are immortal when cultured in vitro unlike the adult stem cell, which dies off like any other tissue. Despite the fact that these stem cells cannot grow into a whole organism, their topic remains a controversy with the Catholics being in the forefront opposing their research and developments (EuroStemCell, “Conversations”). They hold onto the opinion harvesting of these cells in turn kills a human embryo constitutes to a misdeed anti humanity. They not only oppose that but also any form of in vitro fertilization and other forms of researches that will annihilate human life. In IVF, the spare embryos will die due to various reasons like machine malfunction, operator error or at times incinerate them. In such situations, scientists and researchers urge how these cells can be put to important use for the humanity. The Obama regime has brought about more ease in the policies guiding the embryonic stem cell research and this is a positive sign of accelerating related researches. This will not only be a positive energy for the US alone but also to other scientists in other countries will feel motivated and challenged. With all these, they can enhance their research and studies in this area such that there can be necessary improvements into advancing the stem cell therapies. Despite all these ethical issues revolving around the embryonic stem cell research, it has shown its ability to treat or contain a number of dangerous diseases. Work Cited “Type 1 Diabetes: how could stem cells help?” EuroStemCell. 2015. Web. 21st April 2015. http://www.eurostemcell.org/factsheet/type-1-diabetes-how-could-stem-cells-help Atala, Anthony & R P. Lanza. Handbook of Stem Cells. London: Academic/Elsevier, 2013. Internet resource. EuroStemCell. “Conversations: ethics, science, stem cells.” Youtube. YouTube, 1st February 2013. Web. 21St April 2015. James, Charles D. An Ethical Debate on Embryonic Stem Cell Research: Human Dignity or Research Freedom?Munchen: GRIN Verlag GmbH, 2009. Internet resource. Monroe, Kristen R, Ronald B. Miller & Jerome S. Tobis. Fundamentals of the Stem Cell Debate: The Scientific, Religious, Ethical, and Political Issues. Berkeley: University of California Press, 2008. Print. Read More