Ethics of Embryonic Stem Cell Research - Essay Example

Stem Cell Research The issue of ethics has not only crept in our daily lives but has also entered technical aspects of life such as health and medicine. The controversies revolving stem cell research date back to the discovery of stem cells in the late twentieth century. In order to describe the problems related to stem cell it is important to know the general features of the stem cells. Stem cells are the basic unit of life for human beings through which other cells develop in them. These cells help to form organs and tissues in the human body and can thus be called the stem of human beings. These cells are now being researched upon so that they can be used in order to cure major health related diseases (Solo & Pressberg 2007). These stem cells are characteristically divided into adult stem cells and embryonic stem cells. Embryonic stem cells are retrieved from the embryo of a human being whereas the adult stem cells can be found in the organs or skin of an adult. The issue arises in the process of retrieval of stem cells from the human embryo. It is here that the opponents of stem cell research put forward that the life of an innocent is being taken through this embryo whereas the proponents put forward that the life of the child has yet not begun in an embryo (Newton 2007; Stem Cell 2011). In my view stem cell research should be recognized and encouraged because it can lead to many breakthroughs in the world of science. According to scientists stem cell research can prove to bring about new medical therapies in the treatment of certain diseases which were previously considered to be incurable. Previously it was thought that the genetic and nervous disorders were incurable but nowadays with the help of stem cell research some of these disorders can be cured. These stem cells can replace the neurons in the body and can even repair the nervous system if they can be put to use. The stem cells can be integrated into the system of one’s body after which they have the capability to regenerate. This regeneration of stem cells can cause the neurons to form (Newton 2007; Solo & Pressberg 2007). However it is here that the question of morality arises regarding the stem cell research. In order to retrieve the stem cells it is necessary that the outer covering of the stem cells known as trophoblast is removed. In this process the embryo dies and this creates a controversy in the ethical world. According to the opponents of stem cell research the killing of embryo is just like the killing of an innocent individual. Thus the innocent individual is being denied the right to live which every constitution allows him to (George & Gomez-Lobo 2002, 258). A five day embryo according to the opponents has a right to live and is innocent. The opponents of stem cell research also put forward that embryos which are being used in the research are at times donated and they can be used by infertile couples rather than being used for research purposes. If these infertile couples use these embryos they can bring a life to the world whereas if these embryos are used for research purposes they would definitely be killed. On the other hand the proponents of stem cell research have opposing views regarding the topic. According to them the stem cell research is done on a five day embryo which does not have any moral right because the embryo cannot even breathe. They put forward the fact that an embryo starts with the process of coordination when it is 16 days old whereas a five day old embryo does not even enter the process of coordination (Smith & Brogaard 2003). They also put forward that a five day embryo does not have the mental capability to think or manage which means that they are not yet recognized as individuals of the society. Regarding the infertile couples the proponent state that the embryos donated are not being used by these couples and are rather being killed in one way or the other. Abortion is a way through which these embryos are being killed in some cases. Hence it can be said that killing an embryo for a cause is better than killing it for nothing (Kuhse & Singer 1992; Curzer 2004). The proponents of stem cell research also put forward the basics of philosophy when arguing about the research. According to them the greater good of society is above all other things and a minor wrong can be done for the betterment of the whole society. They believe that the research can bring about fruitful results which can help many human beings to live. In some cases religious aspects are also given; according to which an isolated egg does not enjoy the right to be called a human being. The embryos being research upon do not have a heart or a brain and thus they cannot be called human beings. In some countries abortion has been made legal because of which the rate of abortion in these countries has increased dramatically. These proponents believe that it would be better if these embryos are used for a better purpose than being killed for bringing no good to the society (Newton 2007). Stem cells are being used in certain diseases and it has been found that they have improved the patients suffering from different diseases. Different studies have been carried out to find the viability of the stem cell research and it has been seen that stem cell transplant is successful to a certain degree in treating certain diseases. Leukemia, skin cancers, Crohn’s Disease and genetic disorders were previously considered to be untreatable, but with the help of the stem cells a prospect for curing these diseases is quite possible. Although some of the researches have been carried out on human subjects, most of them are carried out on animals. A study in the New England Journal of Medicine shows that patients with leukemias improve with the treatment by stem cells. An experiment was conducted to compare the patients who underwent stem cell treatment with those who did not. It was found that these stem cells were effective in treating leukemia to a certain degree in these patients (Leukemia Patients Survive with Stem Cell Transplant, 2004). The UC researchers also carried out a similar research to find out the effectiveness of stem cell in the treatment of eye disorders. These stem cells can greatly help to cure the genetic eye disorders in children. Research done by the UC researchers was carried out on animals and the tests were positive. This showed that stem cells may also effectively work on human subjects to cure eye disorders (Bone Marrow Stem Cells May Cure Eye Disease, 2007). Not only this, but it was also found that adult stem cells can be used to cure heart attacks by the British physicians. The new treatment helped the heart muscles to recover from the shock that the treatment received. In other words because of the patients own stem cells the patient could recover from a heart attack as their heart muscles could be revived (Julie Wheldon, 2006). Another research carried out on skin cells to make them act as the stem cells worked quite effectively in treating rats with diseases of the brain. Parkisons Disease is one of the examples which the rats were suffering from and showed improvement because of the stem cells. This clearly shows that embryonic stem cells which are considered to be the basic cells of an organism can provide a breakthrough in treatments of different diseases which were previously not curable. (Stem Cells from skin treat brain disease in Rats, 2008). Another research being carried out in Spain shows that stem cells can greatly help to treat genetic disorders such as the Crohn’s Disease. It was found that 20% of the patients on which the stem cell transplant was carried out showed improvement in their Crohn’s Disease (Sunyer, 2009). All the researches which are being carried out on the stem cells are somewhat showing a positive result. And the arguments given by the proponents of stem cell research can be said to be more convincing in comparison to the opponents regarding the morality of stem cell research. The proponents prove the fact that a five day embryo is just a set of dividing cells which does not have a moral right. The religious and ethical views put down by them help to ascertain that a cells from a five day embryo can be removed. If these stem cell researches are funded and widely supported then they can greatly help to cure diseases which were previously not curable. The embryos which are destroyed in abortions and other mishaps can be used here as they would serve the society and would save millions of lives. Donations of embryos can also be considered to be of vital importance for the research in stem cells. The stem cell research should be funded and provided with all the resources so that it can progress and save many lives (Newton 2007; Curzer 2004; Solo & Pressberg 2007). References Journal Curzer, H., 2004, “The Ethics of Embryonic Stem Cell Research” 29, no. 5: 533-562. Journal of Medicine and Philosophy Smith, B., and Brogaard, B., 2003, “Sixteen Days,” Journal of Medicine and Philosophy, 28: 45-78. Kuhse, H., and Singer, P., 1992, “Individuals, Human, and Persons: The Issue of Moral Status,” in Embryo Experimentation: Ethical, Legal, and Social Issues, eds. Singer, P. et al., Cambridge University Press: 65-75 George, R.P., and Gomez-Lobo, A., 2002, “Statement of Professor George (Joined by Dr. Gomez-Lobo),” in Human Cloning and Human Dignity: An Ethical Inquiry, report by the Presidents Council on Bioethics: 258-266. News Article IDIBAPS - Institut dInvestigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (2009, February 21). New Therapy With Stem Cells To Treat Crohns Disease. ScienceDaily. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090219105326.htm University of Cincinnati (2007, May 13). Bone Marrow Stem Cells May Cure Eye Disease.ScienceDaily. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/05/070510160859.htm Bottom of Form Top of Form University Hospitals Of Cleveland (2004, November 30). Leukemia Patients Survive With Stem Cell Transplant. ScienceDaily. Books Newton, D. E. (2007). Stem cell research. Library in a book. New York, NY: Facts On File. Primary Source Solo, P., & Pressberg, G. (2007). The promise and politics of stem cell research. Westport, Conn: Praeger. Internet Source Stem Cell Basics. National Institute of Health Resource. 2011 Bottom of Form Top of Form Bottom of Form Top of Form Bottom of Form Read More