Support of Stem Cells - Report Example

of the of the of the Stem Cell Research Stem cell research affords mankind invaluable benefits, which outweighs ethical and moral objections. The multifarious advantages of stem cell research discussed below support the contention that stem cell research is of immense benefit to mankind. Stem cells provide several benefits to humans, and they can be used in the treatment of terminal illnesses such as cancer. The use of stem cells is a new discovery in medical science. Embryonic stem cells have the versatility to transform into almost any type of tissue in the body. (Nairn). Stem cells can renew themselves and during their period of growth period they can divide and form new cells, which can create specialized tissue cells in the human body. There are adult stem cells and embryonic stem cells. Adult stem cells can be derived from a wide range of sources in the body, such as bone marrow and umbilical cord blood. However, the preferred choice is the human embryo, prior to their implanted in the uterus, and usually a week after its fertilization (Nairn). Moreover, human embryonic stem cells have the ability to develop into any type of human tissue. Medical researchers were enormously elated to discover that stem cells are very useful in the treatment of terminal illnesses and disabilities. Cells derived from amniotic fluid are almost as versatile in their capabilities as embryonic or adult stem cells. Moreover, these cells replicate themselves for a longer period of time than the adult stem cells. The distinct characteristic of embryonic stem cells is that they can grow indefinitely and develop into any one of the 220 cell types in the body (Knowles). Many Americans are of the opinion that scientific research involving stem cells is unethical and an act of evil. The opposition to research involving embryonic stem cells contends that such studies are similar to the atrocities committed by the Nazis in their death camps. In addition, a parallel was drawn to the experiments that the US Government had conducted in the 1940’, which had exposed unsuspecting civilians to radiation (Kirsner). Since the extraction of stem cells from the embryo damages the embryo, the opponents to stem cell research have demanded that they should not be used for medical or even research purposes. The opponents to stem cell research have called for an immediate ban on such research. Their argument is that the research of embryonic stem cells has not yielded any tangible benefit till date and that it has not proved to be a treatment for any type illness. At this juncture, it is important to keep in mind that stem cell research, which commenced in 1998, is still in the incipient stage. However, in 2001 President George Bush imposed restrictions on federal funding for stem cell research (Kirsner). Nevertheless, stem cell research is deemed to be unethical by its opponents who argue that in the process of extracting stem cells the embryo is destroyed. To this the scientists engaged in such research replied that they would only use the redundant fertilized eggs, obtained from in vitro fertility hospitals. These hospitals discard excess fertilized eggs in large numbers every year. The hospitals collect the eggs from voluntary donors without paying them any money (Solo, Pressberg and Moore). A significant number of people have contended that it is immoral to trade fertilized eggs for profit. Human embryonic stem cell research is still a developing branch of medical science. It is natural for the research in this area to face several difficulties and moral debates. Scientists, have yet to learn the genetic and chemical factors involved in developing a stem cell into the form desired, and considerable research is needed in this area (Solo, Pressberg and Moore). In research studies conducted on embryonic cells obtained from rats, scientists achieved significant progress. Hence, by extrapolation, embryonic cells from humans could prove to be extremely efficacious in the treatment. There is considerable evidence regarding the beneficial use of such cells in curing some of the diseases (Solo, Pressberg and Moore). During research on stem cells, human embryonic stem cells are extracted from embryos; and this process of obtaining stem cells destroys the embryos from which these cells are taken out. A significant number of the fertilized eggs are never used or even on being implanted in the womb, do not develop further. In general, a large number of fertilized eggs remain with the clinics or laboratories. These are either discarded or stored in a frozen state for possible future use (Stem Cell Hypocrisy). Some of the donor couples bestow their fertilized eggs upon infertile couples. In some cases, although several embryos are implanted only one birth will occur, and this results in the destruction of the other embryos. In most cases, all the eggs would fail to produce any birth. Moreover, nearly 20% of the egg implants die before the end of the term of pregnancy. Therefore, in vitro fertilization involves the wastage of a considerable number of embryos. It is not a definitive process and it always entails the loss and known destruction of embryos (Stem Cell Hypocrisy). The basis of the President’s decision to restrict federal funding can be attributed to the fact that most of the embryonic stem cells are extracted from excess embryos in the in vitro hospitals and laboratories, which would otherwise have been discarded. In the United States, laboratories store hundreds of thousands of embryos, every year. A majority of these are discarded without being put to any use. In 2002, the Rand Corporation conducted a survey, which revealed that a few of the donors were agreeable to donating their embryos to the researchers, in order to enable them to conduct medical research on them (Kirsner). In the United States, the government encourages in vitro fertilization, because it is of great benefit to a large number of childless families. It is a government sponsored pro – family policy, and a 2003 report stated that in vitro facilities, in the US, had nearly 500,000 frozen human embryos in storage. Nearly 87% of the stored embryos were kept in a frozen condition, merely for the reason that the parents could require them at some point of time in the future. However, this happens very rarely, furthermore, many prospective mothers are implanted with several donated fertilized eggs. Hence, a considerable number of donated embryos are destroyed ultimately (Stem Cell Hypocrisy). Stem cell research holds hope for the individuals suffering from terminal and incurable diseases. As such, a large number of embryos are ultimately destroyed. It makes sense to use embryos in stem cell research, instead of allowing them to be destroyed. Moreover, such research could save lives and improve the quality of life of a significant proportion of the sick population. The scientists, who favor stem cell research, assert that these cells can transform themselves into any type of cells in the human body. This renders stem cells extremely efficacious in repairing the damaged cells in the body. As such, stem cells renew the damaged cells or organs, and replace the dead cells with new cells Stem cells constitute a biological repair system. They can replicate themselves indefinitely; and the new cells resulting from this process can either be a stem cell or it can develop into muscle, bone, fat, blood vessel and nerves; depending upon the presence or absence of the relevant chemical signals that it receives. Moreover, the undifferentiated cells of a human embryo or the so called stem cells are veritably miraculous medical tools. Stem cells constitute a biological repair system. They can replicate themselves indefinitely; and the new cells resulting from this process can either be a stem cell or it can develop into muscle, bone, fat, blood vessel and nerves; depending upon the presence or absence of the relevant chemical signals that it receives. It has been held by stem cells researchers that these cells can cure leukemia and provide treatment in incurable afflictions like Alzheimers and Parkinson’ disease. The hapless plight of quadriplegics could be significantly improved due to stem cells, which have the capacity to repair their nervous system. As such, it is unreasonable to oppose research on an organism that has no brain, consciousness, preferences, or capacity to experience pain or suffering. In conclusion it can be stated that stem cell research is of much benefit to humans, and that its benefits far outweigh the disadvantages attributed to it by its opponents. Works Cited Kirsner, Scott. "SPEAK UP, STEM CELL ADVOCATES." Boston Globe. Boston, Mass. (Jul 19, 2004. p. C.1). Knowles, Gabrielle. "New source of stemcells could ease ethical row." The West Australian (Perth) (January 9, 2007. Pg. 5 ). Nairn, Thomas. "What is the debate about stem cells?" U.S. Catholic (Oct2008, p41-41): Vol. 73 Issue 10; (AN 34569968). Solo, Pam, Gail Pressberg and Mary Tyler Moore. The Promise and Politics of Stem Cell Research. Greenwood Publishing Group, 2007. P.9. "Stem Cell Hypocrisy." Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles, Calif. (May 26, 2005. p. B.14). Read More