Analysis of Embryonic Stem Cell - Research Paper Example

Embryonic Stem Cell Research June 16, Stem cell research is an issue that came to light in late 1998 following the isolation of the first human embryonic stem cells (Advancing Science, serving Society, 2011, Para. 1). The research is conducted on the basis of the fact that stem cells can differentiate to be any human cell ranging from blood cells to skin cells (Advancing Science, serving Society, 2011, Para. 1). As a result, the research is geared towards using stem cells to repair damaged tissues. The research has had significant influences from various sectors of society. These range from financial considerations, whereby governments and private sectors provide funding for the progress of the projects, to legislation by government banning or allowing the research, to religious views and beliefs of the people. As a result, stem cell research has had to go through baptism by fire, and it is still prohibited in some countries while others do not have a clear policy if any on the topic. The research has faced ethical issues because it utilizes human embryos for extraction of stem cells. This paper seeks to discuss the effects of the various factors on the research such as the influences of political interests; media being one of them, religious beliefs and financial challenges on embryonic stem cell research. Discussion Financial Challenges Financial challenges play a great role in research involving stem cells. This is in the form of purchases of equipment meant for use in the research (Connor, 2009, Para. 9). Just like any other field, in medicine, the issue of commercialization has caused debate on a wide scale. Financial challenges in this case are brought out in the form of ethical issues. For example, introducing commerce in stem cell research makes stem cell tissues and embryos into tradable goods and commodities. Also, researchers could have commercial interests in the research which could afflict interests. All these are manifestations of financial challenges in the field of this research. In addition, sale of human tissues elicits debate on the legality and acceptability of the issue in society. The other financial challenge that affects stem cell research is that of the efficiency involved in harvesting stem cells (Hollowell, 2005, Para. 18). This is because harvesting stem cells requires the extraction of women’s eggs. This translates to approximately 1.7 billion human eggs to treat 17 million diabetes patients requires. The cost to extract these eggs would be really expensive putting into consideration that to extract one egg from a single patient one requires nearly $100,000 (Hollowell et al, 2005, Para. 18). These costs are really high and require an organization to shoulder the financial burden while funds may not be forthcoming. As a result, the research either slows down or ends up being disbanded due to lack of funds. There is also the issue of the government funding for stem research in some countries. There is a strong opposition to the use of taxpayers’ money to cater for the research (Hollowell, 2005 Para. 52). This is because both private and government players have analyzed scientific data emanating from the research. As a result, they have concluded that the research is a waste as many have failed. In addition, some private companies that have the finances to give out are reluctant to fund stem cell projects. This is not as a result of the failures or of the potential failures that scientists face but as a result of receiving inadequate applications for the funds (Hollowell et al, 2005, Para. 64). The applications fail to qualify because they are unable to withstand the peer review process meant to vet them. Moreover, funds are becoming a rare commodity for embryonic stem cell researchers. This is because for corporations and the private sector to fund the stem cell research there is a need to conduct trials on animals first (Hollowell, 2005, Para. 26). Early trials have had side effects on the animals such as development of malignant carcinomas. For the money to be released in order to fund research on human cells, there is a need to perfect the process of harvesting. In addition, there is a need to understand what happens to the cells before moving on to humans and receiving the financial aid that is required. In regard to results, financial challenges are affecting the embryonic stem cell research. For example, a Korean pioneer in stem cell research fabricated data to make it appear as if he had made a breakthrough (Normile, 2006, Para. 1). This is in a quest to have the country’s government spend $454 in a ten year period and have the country emerge as one of the leading countries in stem cell research. The above proves how far scientists are willing to go in order to receive funding to continue with their research. Moral issues in funding are coming up and affecting how stem cell research is being conducted. This is being seen in some boards where scientists are denied funds as members of the approving board are opposed. This is because they view the embryos as having life and more so when it comes to human embryos. The scientists on the board are particularly opposed to the creation of cloned hybrid embryos that are a result of mixing human cells with those of animals such as cows, pigs and rabbits (Connor, 2009, Para. 3). The lack of funds is consequently slowing down the rate of research and it is fizzling out. Financial challenges in this field of research have continued to emerge through legal obstacles from the judiciary. For example, a judge in a district court in the U.S.A. issued an injunction barring the federal government from funding the research because the research violated the Dickey-Wicker amendment. The amendment outlaws any use of federal funds to finance any research in which human embryos are destroyed (Adams, 2010, Para. 3). Such judicial and legal set backs affect the research greatly as the government has its hands tied in a manner that even if it is willing to spend on funding, it cannot. Scientists are also intimidated by legal implications and cannot approach the government for financing despite its willingness. Not only do the scientists in the finance boards oppose, but there are also other who are after the funds. They are after the funds only to benefit themselves and will, therefore, only allow the funds to be released if they can get rich in the process (Hollowell et al, 2005, Para. 67). They do not care much about the benefits that society should receive, but if the society gets to benefit, then they are glad. In addition, there have been executive orders, such as one issued by President Bush, limiting use of federal funds in embryonic stem cell research. It stated that funds from National Institutes of Health are not to be used for research. It also went on to state that that users of non-federal funds must seek alternative laboratories and space to conduct their embryonic stem cell research. Political interests In most countries where embryonic stem cell research is practiced political interests have openly been expressed and affected how this research is conducted. Political interests have manifested themselves where politicians make use of stem cell in election campaigns. Such a case occurred in the United States where Mark Green was attacked for opposing a bill that had the potential to increase funding for stem research (Okie, 2006, Para. 2). It has been used diversely to put politicians in tight spots by provoking emotions of voters in regard to those suffering from conditions curable by this research. It has, therefore, been used to woo voters by pointing out the benefits that it has to offer and bedevilling those that are opposed to the benefits. To oppose executive directives by the president, some states in the United States have altered their constitution to accommodate stem cell research. Since the directive given by President Bush to limit federal funds in the research, the state of California changed their constitution to make stem cell research a constitutional right (Burgin, 2010, Para. 25). This expresses political interest that people have towards having stem cell research continued. Due to this political interest, stem cell research has been able to gain a status of a constitutional right. Political interests in the form of legislation have come up to affect embryonic stem cell research. As mentioned earlier with the legislation in California, other states have considered passing their own legislation to manage the research. But other states, like Illinos, are coming up with legislation that raises more funds to finance stem cell research (Russo, 2005, p. 1169). In New Jersey, USA, the legislature approved $150 million in state funding intended to build Stem Cell Institute; moreover, as a result of political interests like the ones in Massachusetts, stem cell research gets an opportunity to progress. This is because the senate in Massachusetts advanced and passed a bill that explicitly allows all forms of stem cell research. In spite of this, the governor of the state had made an attempt to veto it (Russo, 2005, p. 116). The implication is that politicians have a say in whether this kind of research gets to proceed or must cease. In addition, political interests of individuals and countries are affecting how stem cell research is conducted. Some countries have liberal rules in that they allow the creation of all kinds of embryos including human ones for the purpose of research (Russo, 2005, p. 1179). However, in these countries, the vetting process to have their research approved is based upon legislated and bureaucratic rules. For example, they have to go through local hospital ethical boards and human fertilization and embryology authority. This shows how much political influence has a stronghold on stem cell research. Such countries include the United Kingdom, Sweden and Singapore. Moreover, political interests have an influence in the research as some country’s pride themselves in the progress they have made. South Korea, for example, has commissioned plans to have the country become among the top three in the world in regard to stem cell research. As a result of having such high political stakes riding on the research, scientists have to find means and ways to satisfy the country’s demand for results, sometimes, to the extent of fabricating data. The Korean government has also pumped resources towards the research in the form of funding and motivation by branding scientists as national heroes. Legislation is also another political factor that affects stem cell research because federal laws have been put in place to regulate the sector. In Germany, federal laws dictate that stem cell research can only be conducted on human embryonic stem cells created before the year 2002 (Russo, 2005, p. 1167). As a result, this may affect the results or data derived from findings as the cells may have been harvested using inefficient means or damaged from storage. Therefore, the outcome of the research can be easily altered by political factors that come in multiple forms. The media, which falls under political influence, has had its hand in the research, as well. Their part has been on the influence it exerts on decision makers, interest groups and members of the general public. It acts as a medium of delivery and creation of opinions related to the research. This is by influencing the attention of competing political parties and the public. It also has its hand in policy making depending on the image they deliver to the public to consume in matters regarding the science of stem cell research. This is because media is a political institution with access to parties involved in formulating policies (Ho et al, 2008, p. 183). Therefore, policies are formulated with consideration for the media’s interests (Ho et al, 2008, p. 183). This, in turn, influences how stem cell research is conducted so as not to cause public outrage from the news delivered to them. Religious beliefs Religion and sharing a particular religious faith has significant influence on stem cell research. This is because the research tests the moral and ethical fibre of those involved and of the public. The research is big enough to bring the pope, Pope Benedict XVI, into it to give his opinion that it tests the faith of fellow elected Catholics. The Pope went on to urge the leaders to remain true to their faith by defending life (Business Library, 2008, Para. 2). Such remarks prove how much religious groups have a stand on the issue of stem research. There is great opposition coming from religious leaders on stem cell research base on moral issues of abortion. Current stem cell research utilizes embryonic stem cells but, the religious leaders are of the opinion that adult stem cells are an alternative that is viable for use (The Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life, 2008, Para. 3). The Catholic Church and most Christian groups view the research as murder as it results in the destruction of human embryos. To them these embryos have rights by virtue of being human; thus, their dignity and the right to life must be respected from the moment they are created. However, some Christian groups, the Episcopal church, are in support of the research based on the fact that the embryos would still be destroyed (The Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life, 2008, Para. 5). Other religious groups including Islam and Hinduism have no position on the research and have, therefore, not had any influence on it. This is in spite of Hinduism believing that life begins at conception. Islamist, at least some, allow for it based on the view that the embryo has no soul at that early stage of pregnancy while other Muslims disallow it viewing it as immoral to terminate an embryo at any stage of pregnancy (The Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life, 2008, Para. 8). Because of these diverse views based on religion, stem cell research has been approved of for its beneficial outcomes while others have disapproved of it. The effects of such debate are normally seen on the public opinion and how much the public can in turn influence policy makers in regard to financial and regulatory issues. Conclusion Stem cell research is a widely controversial issue that has received criticism and support from numerous and diverse quarters. As a result, it has affected how the research is conducted, as well as when, where and even whether. Of all the influences, religious beliefs, political interests and financial challenges are the most common, and have made the largest impact. This is in the form of stalling research, giving the green light, influencing policy, constitutional backing and even motivating scientists to continue with their research. References Advancing Science, Serving Society (AAAS). (August 12, 2011). AAAS Policy Brief: Stem Cell Research. Retrieved June 16, 2012 from http://www.aaas.org/spp/cstc/briefs/stemcells/ Burgin, E. (2010). Human embryonic stem cell research and Proposition 71. BioOne.Vol. 29(2), 73-95. Business Library (2008). Knights of Columbus Adopt Resolution Opposing Abortion and Other "Offenses Against Life" and Challenging Catholic Office Holders. Retrieved on June 16, 2012 from http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_pwwi/is_200808/ai_n27976285/?tag=content;col1 Connor, S. (13 January 2009). Funding Halted for Stem Cell Research.The Independent. Retrieved on June 16, 2012 from http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/funding-halted-for-stem-cell-research-1332000.html Ho, S., Brossard, D and Schuefele, D. (2008). Effects of Value Predispositions, Mass Media USE, and Knowledge On Public Attitudes Toward Embryonic Stem Cell research. International Journal of Public Opinion Research. Vol. 20 (2). Normile, D. (June 2006). STEM CELL RESEARCH: South Korea Picks Up the Pieces. Vol. 312 no. 5778 pp. 1298-1299. Okie, S. (2006). Perspective: Stem Cell Politics. The New England Journal of Medicine. Retrieved on June 16, 2012 from http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp068206 Russo, E. (July 12, 2005). Follow the Money--The Politics of Embryonic Stem Cell Research. PLoS Biology, Vol. 3(7), 1167-1171. The Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life (July 17, 2008). Religious Groups Official Positions on Stem Cell Research. Retrieved on June 16, 2012 from http://www.pewforum.org/Science-and-Bioethics/Religious-Groups-Official-Positions-on-Stem-Cell-Research.aspx Read More