Ethical Issues in Stem Cell - Research Paper Example

Ethical Issues in Stem Cell Research Introduction Living things are made up of tinycells. Human beings are made up of a billion of these tiny cells. Human life starts out as one information laden cells which split into two; the two cells divide into four, and this goes on till billions of cells are formed. There are different types of body cells (Moore 6). Stem cells can be distinguished from other cells by two distinct characteristics. One, they are unspecialized cells capable of renewing themselves by a process of cell division. Secondly, they can be induced to become body; they can remarkably grow into many diverse cell types in the body in early development. In body organs such as the gut, bone marrow, stem cells can regularly divide to repair and replace worn out cells (Moore 12). In contemporary biology, Stem cell research is one of the intriguing areas due to the expanding scientific discoveries. This has raised many scientific questions as well as ethical questions (Ethical issues 23). The first ethical issue is that regarding Human embryonic stem research. Human embryonic stem cell research is one field that has generated much concern and public debates. Cells that have the capability of developing into many different cells, also known as pluripotent stem cell lines, are usually isolated from few days old human embryos. The research offers a promise and hopes for new treatments for diseases such as Parkinson’s, diabetes and spinal injury. As new technologies and science advance, so do the ethical viewpoints and political controversies regarding these developments (Report on bioethics 17). This paper will discuss the ethical issues associated with Stem cell research as portrayed by various individuals and groups of people. Ethical Issues in Stem Cell Research Human cell research is connected to human cloning which is a subject of much debate currently. There is confusion in the public discourse about what an embryo is. This issue has been very critical in defining when human life starts. There are several attitudes arising from different religious groups and varying interpretations of philosophical philosophies. There are arguments in determining the rights and privileges that an embryo in early human life has. According to some people, an embryo is a living being whether it has developed human features or not. These people are therefore against destruction of embryos while retrieving stem cells. This is ethically unacceptable to their faith, but to other people, it is no big deal (Guinn 154). Those that are against human stem cell research believe that life begins after conception, at the zygote stage while those in favor of this kind of research acknowledge that life does not begin until a later stage of embryo development. The people supporting this research argue that the benefits to the community outweigh the apprehension for the young embryos. The Roman Catholic is one of the religions that raise questions about the destruction of the embryos. It declared that human life begins after fertilization and ends in natural death. The Greek Orthodox also follows this view and agrees that embryos are human beings. To them, taking the embryo and removing the inner cell mass is regarded as murder (Guinn 158). Protestants, Jews and Muslims support the view that life starts between fourteen and forty weeks after conception. The UK Human Fertilization and Embryology Act define this as the streak stage where further research on the embryo is not permitted. This issue is often debated on as some regard is as immoral while others think it is alright. There is a third group of paper that believe that the embryo deserves respect as a human being, but it is acceptable to use them in research if it is justifiable with the consent from the couple donating the embryo (Caplan 156). The opposition of stem cell research is associated with the opposition to abortion by the pro-life movement. However, not all members are against this research. There are those that support the use of frozen embryos that remain after patients have completed the infertility treatments and decide not to give to another couple. Former First lady, Nancy Reagan holds this view. Senator Hatch stated that life begins in the womb and not in a Petri dish or a refrigerator, and it is morally right to use the embryos to save the life of other people (National Bioethics 18). Another ethical issue emerges from the use of feotal germ line stem cell that is derived spontaneously or from voluntarily aborted foetuses. Obtaining the stem cells from such foetuses is suggested to be similar to organ donation, and parental consent is required. The ethical questions arise from the societal divide on the issue of abortion and information about parental consent from an emotionally charging setting. Feotal stem cell research is permitted only after an abortion. This minimizes the possibility of a woman’s decision being influenced by the prospects of donating the fetus. Philosophers also have a similar division as there are those who favor the research to proceed while some are against it. Those in opposition strongly believe that human life was called into existence by God and must always be treated with respect. According to their views, they are not supposed to be used to achieve some other goals as done in stem cell research. According to Guinn (144), the fact that stem cell research brings a great social good does not justify the destruction of human embryos. The moral question about the quality of life is determined with how we live, not how long. Those who support research on the other hand support their position by arguing that there is the need to find remedies for diseases and that the future good will outweighs the destruction of the embryos. They add that funding of these projects by the government is the only way to ensure equal distribution of resources in order to benefit all people in the society. This view is supported by both religious and secular groups. According to Jewish religion, medicine is a religious undertaking to prevent diseases and save lives; therefore, a failure to do so when an opportunity presents itself is a violation of the scriptural commands. According to Caplan (143), the research is regarded as a “moral imperative” due to the massive benefits from the stem cell research to cure human diseases. He argues that the destroyed embryos have not attained individuality nor can it be regarded as a person. According to Andrew Siegel, a Research scientist at John Hopkins University adds that the human embryos at this stage have no rights - an argument that is supported by courts (Ethical issues in stem cell 4). Another argument by the proponent is that the embryos used are only those that are left over after IVF treatments. The controversy comes in due to the fact that the US, for instance, lacks data about the spare embryos or those that are destroyed, or even the situation in which the situation occurs (Smith 81). In UK, Human Fertilization and Embryology Authority maintain records of the embryos created for IVF and Somatic cell nuclear transfer, SCNT. Each year thousands of embryos are destroyed. Creating human SNCT cells has not only been scientifically impossible, but ethically controversial. There are people who argue that this research undermines human dignity and violates religious, traditional, moral and cultural values in the society. This would lead to children being regarded as products from a manufacturing process and not gifts to parents. Cloning would also violate natural boundaries since the cloned child would be the genetic twin of the parent (Moore 25). This destruction raises disturbing questions by those that oppose stem cell research. One of the question asked is, what is the right thing to do with the embryos that are no longer wanted by their parents? Secondly, is it better to spare the embryos for use in potentially beneficial research, or should they be discarded without any benefits? Should they be stored in liquid nitrogen without knowing their fate (Smith 18)? The other ethical issue in Stem cell research is about the accepted scope of research by the larger society. There is concern about germ line interventions leading to pursue of eugenics. This may enable scientists to come up with a cure for some cancers and other devastating diseases such as Huntington’s as compared to gene therapy. As much as it seems appealing, there are stern concerns about the moral acceptability. This can be disastrous in an unregulated market driven social conditions (Moore 36). In areas, where the government regulates the interventions, the research is more acceptable, but while used for selfish gains, it is morally unacceptable. The NBAC is against creation of embryos for research and states that only those that are left after IVF can be used. On the contrary, the UK Human Fertilization and Embryology Authority advocates for creation of human embryos through IVF or cloning processes under the conditions that these embryos will not be implanted. The ethical issue arises from the concern of loss of respect for human life or personality by allowing production of these embryos (Report on Bioethics 17). Ethical issues also arise from the consent for donation for materials in stem cell research. This is very important especially in researches using human embryos. People have a tendency to place emotional and moral significance on the reproductive material compared to other body tissues. The IVF programs should contact the participants and enquire if they would accept the remaining embryos to be discarded or used in research. It is considered ethically wrong to assume and go ahead with whatever research without the consent of the donors. Confidentiality is a main concern in this research, and there should be no breach (Carrel 84). Frozen embryos may be created with sperms of donors who no longer have a say regarding patients who use it for reproduction. There are people who argue that these donors have no say if these gametes are used in stem cell research. These donors may object the use of their gametes in research is this should not be assumed. There are other situations when a woman in infertility treatment shares oocytes with researchers. There is an ethical question regarding which quest should be offered the oocyte that has better quality. The prospects of these patients may be compromised by research especially if only few oocytes are available. The physician involved should give priority to the productive needs of the patient. The payment of donors for research materials is one of the debated issues. Some argue that there is no price for human life. This is regarded as undermining human dignity since human biological materials and intimate relationships are devalued, the moment they are bought and sold like commodity. Other people feel that it is unfair not to pay the donors of research materials while women receive thousands of dollars to donate oocytes for infertility treatment. There are cases when there is a shortage in the research material. This drives some scientists to use non-human oocytes to obtain lines using human nuclear DNA. These are known as ‘cytoplasmic hybrid embryos,’ and this process raises several ethical issues. Those opposing stem cell research fear that this process lead to the creation of chimeras; mythical beasts that portray both human and animal features and characteristics. Others feel that it opposes the natural world, where animal and humans are unique and each species has a particular moral purpose/ goal and no one should change that. Other critics fear that there may be attempts to implant these embryos for reproduction (Caplan 18) Those in support of stem cell research state that biological definitions of various species are pragmatic and empirical and not natural. For instance, animals such as mules exist, and they are not morally questionable. Human cells are injected into animals and function normally in medical research. People disagree on what is repugnant, but these views may change with time, for instance, blood transfusion and organ donation were regarded as a unacceptable, but today they are widely practiced all over the world (Caplan 24). The issue of emotional constraint on the parents at the time of contemplated donation raises ethical issues. Interpersonal differences and feelings of guilt may arise as some people may feel like they do not have much of a choice. Either way, the embryo will be destroyed, and it is a dilemma that those involved should weigh out. The other issue is whether the participants are entitled to some benefits or share in the success of the research (Carrel 84). There are cases when research participant is injured or placed at some kind of risk especially in trials. Patients of cell transplant may not clearly understand the consequences of the transplants as sometimes it may make their conditions worse. There are controversies that these trials should not be done on people, and proof of principle should be proved using animal models. The involved risks and benefits should be discussed realistically with the participants. There are those who don’t mind if trials have been done on animals while some will consider the option. The ethical issue here is the participant’s understanding of the research and not what is written down in the consent forms (Moore 25). Conclusion Ethical issues in Human stem cell research go beyond the institution’s mission to protect subjects involved and the experts. The research on human cells provides hope for genetic disorders and prevention of degenerative diseases. The ethical disagreement rises from protecting the vulnerable human life which is weighed upon the benefits of research in the community. Different people and groups have different opinions regarding the morality of this research. Ethical issues arise from the source of the cells, the potential benefits of the research and the use of embryonic cells. Definition of life is another question, and the status of embryo in human life raises serious moral issues. Scope of the research, rights of donors, cross species experiment, trans-species fertilization and control during trials are other factors that raise moral and ethical issues. They range from traditional values, religion, moral values and personal attitudes. Works Cited Caplan, Arthur L. The Fulbright Brainstorms on Bioethics: Bioethics: Frontiers and New Challenges Portugal: Principia, 2006. Print. Carrell, Douglas T, and C M. Peterson. Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility: Integrating Modern Clinical and Laboratory Practice. New York: Springer, 2010. Print. Ethical Issues in Human Stem Cell Research. Rockville 20892-7508: National Bioethics Advisory Commission, 1999. Print. Guinn, David E. Handbook of Bioethics and Religion. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2006. Internet resource. Moore, Pete. Stem Cell Research. New York: Rosen Central, 2012. Print. Smith, Anna. Research Ethics. St. Louis University: Tailor & Francis, 2012. Print. Read More