Stem Cell Research: A Closer Look at the Cells

Stem cell research is an important scientific field in the world today. Scientist makes use of embryonic stem cells and adult stem cells in their studies in the quest to find possible cure for diseases such as diabetes, Parkinson’s disease and heart disease. Stem cell research is surrounded by controversies, with people taking sides on the issue.

To better understand the controversies surrounding stem cells research, it is important to have a closer look at the cells used in this research. Embryonic stem cells are derived from few days old embryos through a process which ultimately cause death to the embryo. These cells are coaxed to develop into virtually any type of human cell ranging from blood cells to skin cells.

Those people who are opposed to stem cell research base their argument on the facts that the process of obtaining the embryo cells leads to the killing of the embryo, thus ending human life. Although the embryo has the potential to develop into human being, they can never be equated to human being. The embryo has no sentiments or consciousness; neither do they have internal or external organs. Thus the argument that Stem cell research end human life is not valid. Again most of the embryos used for stem cell research are obtained in a controlled environment through vitro fertilization.

Opponents of stem cell research have over the years argued that this medical practice is equivalent to human cloning, which leads to devaluation of the worth of human life. This point has been made out of total ignorance of the resulting and the ultimate goal of stem cell research. The ability for cancer and heart disease patience to receive medical cure can never be argued or contrasted against human cloning which is on the far end of the spectrum.

Pro-life activists have always argued that embryonic stem cell research should be abandoned in favor of stem cell research based on adult cells. This argument seems to ignore the fact that abortion is legal in many countries around the world. As such, it would be more logical to use the embryos obtained from legal abortions in medical researches than destroying them.

Another argument that has been floated by those opposed to stem cell research is the possibility of embryonic cells suffering immune rejection once introduced into a human body. Although this is a valid argument, it is important to understand that Stem cell research is not an end in itself but rather a beginning that could lead to endless possibilities. Scientist has over the year continued to find solutions to any shortcoming coming from ongoing research such as Stem cell research.

In conclusion, we have found that benefits of stem cell research outweigh the perceived detriments by far. The success of stem cell research will result in cure for diseases such as cancer, Parkinson’s and heart diseases. Currently, these diseases have huge negative economical and social impacts to both those sufferings, governments and doctors around the world as they look for cure for them.

References

Colin Nickerson, Stem Cell Debate. Web.

Jessica Reaves, The Great Debate over Stem Cell Research. Web.

Judith A. Johnson. 2008. Stem Cell Research. Web.

Stem Cells Information. Web.

Suzanne Holland and Karen Lebacqz (2001) Human Embryonic Stem Cells Debate: Science, Ethics and Public Policy, Chicago, MIT publishers.

Theresa Philips, Pro and cons of Stem Cell Research. Web.