The Argument against Stem Cell Research - Essay Example

?Stem Cells Research Introduction Stem cells are cells in an organism that have the ability to develop into different types of cells. They are the progenitors of all body cells found in both animals and human beings. There are three types of progenitor cell, embryonic stem cells produced from fertilized eggs, adult stem cells found all over the bodies of adults and children and foetal stem found in the umbilical cord and placenta of embryos older than eight weeks. Stem cell research seeks to develop stem cells to regenerate cells for nonfunctional organs and tissues. Research in stem cell has begun long time ago but has gained popularity recently due to increased scrutiny from the public especially religious organizations. Most criticized is research involving human embryonic stem cells. Most opposition on stem cell research is mainly on moral and religious issues. Most controversies on stem cell research exist, attributed to myths and misconceptions regarding stem cell research. Misconceptions are arising due to the biased nature of reporting from the media as well as error that result especially when reporters are not conversant with facts on stem cell research. This paper is in favor of stem cell research due to the reasons listed below. The important role it will play in cancer treatment, regenerative medicine, repair of destroyed organs, in cure of killer diseases such as leukemia, Alzheimer’s, diabetes treatment, correction of developmental problems in humans even prior to birth, production of clones that could be used for organ harvesting and carrying out drug tests. As opposed to what most critic of stem cell research believes, blastocysts are not human beings thus their destruction does not constitute to killing. Scientifically, an embryo is not human until it is at least two weeks old, at least until the nervous system becomes evident (Mummery and Guido 672-673). In addition, the potential medical benefit from stem cell research is of greater importance compared to moral concerns raised about the embryo. With support and funds from the government, more talented scientist would be willing to get into stem cell research hence accelerate research. This will also enable the government to monitor embryonic research as compared to the privatized research (Mummery and Guido 672-673). In such cases, the government can ensure researchers carry out embryonic stem cell responsibly. Most people opposed to embryonic stem cell research claim that it is without the embryo’s consent. However, the same people are not opposed to organ transplant in children, which only requires parental consent. Embryonic stem cell research should therefore require only the consent of the donor of the embryo since it is not different from organ donation involving children. In addition, it offers the opportunity to extend life or improve life just like in the case of the less opposed pediatric organ transplant (NIH Stem Cell Information 7; Jones, Byrne 75). Both the researcher and those oppose to stem cell research agree that stem cell research could be a possible solution to many diseases. The conflict is on the source and means of obtaining the stem cells. The argument that humans not be subjects for experimentation does not add up. Humans as well as human tissue act as specimens for experiments since time immemorial in both education and carrying out trial tests (Mummery and Guido 672). For example, all doctors have to dissect human cadaver as part of their medical training. In addition, the success in human organ transplant was only possible after several tests and experiments involving human subjects. Drug trials carried out all the time involve using human subjects. The issues discussed above have received little or no objection, yet they involve experimentation with human body just like in case of stem cell research (Mummery and Guido 672-678). From this, it is obvious that success in human medicine is not possible without taking the risk of involving human subject to carry out research. Considering abortion is legal in most countries, aborted embryos can be useful in stem cell research. This will benefit so many ailing people. Embryo used for stem cell research could be from embryos obtained through invitro fertilization used to help couples having conception problems (Mummery and Guido 672-677). In such cases, among the several eggs fertilized, only one used for implantation in the woman’s womb while the others end up as waste discarded. Such embryos if utilized for stem cell research are beneficial. This is actually pro-life since several lives benefit through embryonic stem cells, which are more versatile as compared to adult stem cells (Mummery and Guido 674-678). Leukemia, also known as blood cancer, is one of the most dreaded disease in which white blood cells are destroyed and incapable of fighting disease. Doctors try to treat leukemia using chemotherapy and radiation in order to kill the cancerous cells. These treatments are sometimes harsh and mostly unsuccessful. Scientists believe a cure for leukemia that requires little or no chemotherapy is possible with stem cell research. Scientist hopes that with advanced research they will be able to inject cells into cancer patients that will be capable of destroying cancer cells. In other cancers treatment, it will be a healthier means of treatment to replace radiation and chemotherapy. This, already been partly achieved though discovery telomerase genes, responsible for cell multiplication, can be turned on and off. Telomerase activity turned off in cancer treatment preventing excessive cell growth that results in tumor growth but turned on in case of regenerative medicine (Peters, Lebacqz, and Bennett 18; Mummery and Guido 675-679). Diabetes is another disease, so widespread that it claims the lives of about 500,000 people annually just within the United States. Diabetes tampers with synthesize of insulin in the body hence rise in blood glucose, which affects certain proteins. Diabetes results in conditions such as heart diseases, destruction of nerves, acquired blindness, and, kidney failure. Currently, diabetes treatment involves using daily insulin injections, which is a very cumbersome and expensive process, and does not completely stop diabetes but only slows its development. Scientist hope to use stem cell research to come up with insulin synthesizing cell injected into diabetic persons to enable them synthesize insulin normally. Some bit of success in this using the embryonic stem cells registered in Israel in August 2001 (Forman, MacDonald 22). Another area that stem cell research will offer a solution is in treatment diseases of brain and the nervous system. Alzheimer’s, a dangerous disease that kills cells of the brain resulting in memory loss is a common killer disease especially among old people. This disease denies the victim the ability to carry out even simple activities such as feeding oneself. Currently there is no cure for this ailment. Scientists believe stem cell therapy can stop Alzheimer’s disease and enable patients live a normal life. Parkinson disease could also be treated using stem cells. Scientist can get embryonic stem cell from invitro fertilization or even from fetuses aborted from mothers who might decide not to keep pregnancies or due to medical reasons (Mummery and Guido 675-676). It is inevitable to use embryos in stem cell research since they yield stem cells with great vitality and versatility compared to adult or even fetal stem cell (Peters, Lebacqz, and Bennett 119). Another important role stem cells will play is in treatment of severe burns and deep scars. Scars in areas like limbs and faces could hinder one’s ability in carrying out activities like walking, talking, or handling objects. Persons with spinal cord injuries will benefit from stem cell therapy, enabling such persons to walk again. Research in stem cell provides information on fetus development, applicable in detecting and treatment of inborn defects such as brain malformations even before birth (Mummery and Guido 676-677). Therapeutic cloning which involves growing exact copies of an animal in the laboratory using the organism’s genetic material. The embryos produced to be used later to harvest stem cells. This could offer a solution in organ transplant where donors are scarce and procedures are risky to donors and most end up being unsuccessful due to organ rejection. Such clones could also be used in drug testing thus individual will not have to be exposed to drugs under test which are harmful at times (Mummery and Guido 677). Success in embryonic stem cell research will result in extended human lifespan. The fear that success in human cloning will be man taking up God’s role is not a reason enough to oppose such a promising technology as stem cell research. (Forman, MacDonald 70.) Conclusion The argument against stem cell research that it wrong to create life then destroys it is invalid. Scientifically before the development of capacity for brain activity for sentience and consciousness, the unborn is not yet alive, thus use of embryos for stem cell research is legitimate. Use of embryos in stem cell research will enhance advancement in medicine and help save human lives or alleviate suffering. Turning back from stem cell research would be like turning away from a light source due to fear of the shadows created by the light. Considering the benefits of stem cell research, the controversies created by critics of this technology are not a reason enough to oppose or even stop the research. All that is required is for the government to control and ensure the research does not run out of control at any point. This research has succeeded in organisms like mice and there is no reason why it should not succeed in human too. Works Cited Forman, MacDonald linda. Stem Cell Research. Minnesota: ABDO. 2007. Print. Jones, Byrne Mary. Stem Cell and Cloning: Contemporary Challenges to Our Humanity. Wayville: ATF Press. 2005. Print. Mummery, Christine and Guido de Wert. Human embryonic stem cells: research, ethics and policy. Hum. Reprod. (2003). 18 (4): 672-682. Pdf.  NIH Stem Cell Information Home Page. In Stem Cell Information. Bethesda, MD: National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. 2011. Web. 26 April 2012  Peters, Lebacqz, and Bennett Gaymon. Sacred cells? why Christians should support stem cell Research. Maryland: Rowman & Littlefield, 2008. Print. Read More