Embryonic Stem-Cell Research - Essay Example

Affiliation Macro & Microeconomics ARTICLE Embryonic stem-cell research immoral, unnecessary, bishops say By Nancy Frazier OBrien Catholic News Service Extracted from http://www.americancatholic.org/news/stemcell/ (18/11/2014) DISCUSSION What are Stem Cells? These are cells those are best described as non-specialized but have the potential to generate and grow into cells of different many types such as the brain cells, tissue cells, the muscle cells, the blood cells and many other cells of the different uses and parts of the body. This points out to the fact that these are cells that are critical and important for the generation, growth and development of the many different types of body tissues and organs. Although it is evidently important and important for the development and the growth of the different parts of the body, the cells are thought to exclusively be sourced from fetus instead of the adult human being since those of fetus are considered most viable and important. These cells are important to the human body because they are viable and important within the body of human once introduced. These stem cells in the body are able to grow into the different cells found in the different parts of the body and even tissues of the body hence they enable the body to be able to repair the damaged or worn out tissues of the body. This means that the bodies therefore have the ability to generate body parts which then immediately replace those parts or the tissues that are partially or completely damaged. The embryonic stem cells are generated in the eggs of a female after fertilization a process that takes either four or five days. What is Stem Cell Research? This is the science that deals with the investigation which is set to establish the cells especially the basic cells that enable the organisms grow and develop. Such cells are collected then grown and developed in the laboratories so that the basic properties of these cells can be established and used to develop the field. Using the findings from the laboratory analysis and experiments the information obtained is used to improve the efficiency of the stem cells (Thomson et al. 13728). Aborted fetuses are not the only source of stem cells One of the reasons for the anti-stem cell research is the perception that people generally have regarding the source of the stem cells that are used in research. The general perception of people is that the cells are obtained from aborted fetus only which is not necessarily the case. These cells are also found in the placenta as well as the blood that is found in the placenta which is an alternative source of the cells without necessarily having to do any abortion. But apart from these two sources the major or rather the main source of these cells is the blastocysts which are basically the human eggs that have been fertilized but not embedded in the womb of a woman. This perception has been a cause of major questions on the viability, morality as well as the ethical perspective of the use of stem cell research. Use of the stem cells that have been obtained from the embryo has been the key factor that has triggered this debate. The embryonic stem cells are obtained from extraction of tissues from an embryo that has been aborted after or between five to nine weeks after conception. However the debate may have yielded significant results since the science has shifted from the use of these methods to other better methods that are considered to be ethically viable and friendly. These methods include the Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPS). iPS are cells that re artificially obtained from cells that are non-pluripotent for instance the adult somatic cells (Robertson 1503). This is perhaps a representation of a very important step towards the advancement especially in this field of stem cell research as it has opened up ways for researchers to acquire pluripotent stem cells that are critical and important in this line of research. Most important of all is the fact that it has provided an alternative that creates a leeway for the development of the stem cell research without encountering any much controversy especially with reference to the acquisition and use of embryos in the research (Robertson 31). The different positions that have been taken about this subject are because of the number of reasons such as: 1. What is done with the knowledge that has been obtained? 2. The methods used in the stem cell research is raising concerns Stem Cell Research - Usage of the Knowledge Stem cell research has been determined to have the potential to aid in the treatment of a wide range of medical challenges and problems. This means that the development of this could potentially be used to treat the diseases that have been troubling the human race over the years. These diseases include: Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease, Heart Diseases which include the type one diabetes as well as stroke, the defects that are associated with births and conceptions, injuries such as the those of the spinal cord which have impaired many, stem cells can be used in the replacement as well as the repairing of damaged organs, the science can also be used in ensuring that the risk of transplantation is significantly reduced such that an individual will possess the potential to get an exact replica of their own heart during a heart transplantation exercise in a few years time and the role of stem cells in the elimination and containment of cancer can also not be ignored. The ability to be able to crack this research and find the effective treatment will be a worldwide breakthrough with people being able to improve their health while development on both a physical, economic and social front is enhanced (Korobkin 29). Stem Cell Research - About the Methods Involved Debate about this subject may have yielded significant results since the science has shifted from the use of these methods to other better methods that are considered to be ethically viable and friendly. These methods include the Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPS). iPS are cells that re artificially obtained from cells that are non-pluripotent for instance the adult somatic cells. This is perhaps a representation of a very important step towards the advancement especially in this field of stem cell research as it has opened up ways for researchers to acquire pluripotent stem cells that are critical and important in this line of research. Most important of all is the fact that it has provided an alternative that creates a leeway for the development of the stem cell research without encountering any much controversy especially with reference to the acquisition and use of embryos in the research (Kriegstein & Grady 519). Economics view and approach to the research While there is the moral needs and reasons behind the justification of the reasoning of the bishops and their condemnation of the behavior, science should not be done from such an approach according to the economists. To them there are a range of important reasons that should take precedence when concluding and taking positions on such matters. As such the research approach they propose is one that considers a more conservative and economic approach over the other reasons. For instance the economists argue that the reason behind the investment in science is to make the life and coast of living for affordable, accessible and fulfilling to each and every individual. This means that the use of science in being able to bring forth life is something that they believe is worthwhile lauding and embracing. At the end of the day the differences in opinion between the scientists and the religious leaders is down to the disparity in the aims and priorities between the two groups. Benefits of the Stem Cell Research The Cost vs. Benefit Implications No one can dispute that the cost of life has significantly been rising over the years perhaps due to a number of reasons. This however brings to the attention of the people the need to come up with much easier ways of being able to make a living and still get fulfillment in life. This therefore means the use of stem cell research to be able to come up with better and efficient ways of rectifying the defects and challenges of life and medical conditions signifies a timely invention that should be embraced by all. With the careful analysis and consideration then many may come to discover that there are numerous benefits which come with the using of the findings of the research on stems. Use of stem cell research is something that will significantly help in the field of medicine especially with regards to reducing the cost of getting medical treatment. Imagine the numerous amounts of money that people spend on seeking treatment of dire ailments such as diabetes and heart problems and how the use of stem cell research can help alleviate the challenges and loss of lives associated with such. This is something that is worth lauding and should be embraced by many of not all since it is not only timely but much needed by the society. This signifies that the stem cell research is it not only important but also something that will have one of the most significant impact on the development and well being of the lives of people. The element of rational thinking Science is shifting gears from being an innovations field but also a recycling field contributing the least wastes to the environment and exploiting the available resources as best as possible. This means that rather than throw away a fetus especially with the many abortions that are being performed each and every day legally or illegally, for medical or other reasons, how about taking such fetus and use them to do research or rather make the lives of the people who are living better by reducing the number of deaths by combating the causes of these deaths? Is that a moral reason enough for the religious leaders? The only problem that the religious leaders have with the research on stem cell is the use of the fetus which would otherwise be discarded to do research for the betterment of the lives of people. Take for instance that through the research using stem cells it medicine has been able to find better ways of bettering the adult stem system. Stem cell research as an educational tool The stem cell research is an avenue through which important and great insights have come to light especially with regards to the fundamental and basic ways of the human body functioning (Holland et. al, 15). It has also provided a channel through which science has been improved. Development in this field of stem cells research has enhanced a lot with regards to the scope of education and research in the field of medicine and science. More interest will be channeled in this field with a view to improve the perceptions and the use of this discovery especially for the general good and well being of the prospective beneficiaries. The stem cell research is something that we need and that is something we cannot run away from. Conclusion Although the subject of stem cell research is one that has generated a lot of thoughts and feelings something reflected in the way the subject is perceived an approached, one thing is for sure that it is an emergent and trending subject very special and important to life and as such cannot be taken for granted. What is for sure is that we need this latest development in science for the betterment of our lives and the progressive development in the field of science and medicine. As such there is need for a lot to be taken into account when discussing and taking sides on matters concerning this subject since it is critical and we cannot just ignore it like that. People are out to express their ethical concerns with regards to the stem cells research and the science behind it as well as the ethical issues implications that are involved are those people that are not privy to the dynamics and reasons of the science as well as the developments of this field over the years or they are purposely choosing to ignore the same. It is therefore prudent to conclude it this way that God gave life and values the sanctity of life so choosing to preserve the life of people would be something that would be welcome. Works Cited Holland, S., Lebacqz, Karen. and Zoloth, L. eds. The Human Embryonic Stem Cell Debate: Science, Ethics, and Public Policy. Cambridge: MIT Press, 2001. Print Korobkin R. “Embryonic Histrionics: A Critical Evaluation of the Bush Stem Cell Funding Policy and the Congressional Alternative,” Jurimetrics 47(2006): no. 1: 1-29. Robertson J. A. “Embryo Culture and the Culture of Life: Constitutional Issues in the Embryonic Stem Cell Debate,” University of Chicago Legal Forum: 1-40(2006): at 31-38. Robertson J. A. “Assisting Reproduction, Choosing Genes, and the Scope of Reproductive Freedom,” George Washington Law Review76, no. 6 (2008): 1490-1513. Thomson J. A. et al. “Embryonic Stem Cell Lines Derived from Human Blastocysts,” Science282, no. 5391 (1998): 1145-1147; M. J. Shamblott et al., “Derivation of Pluripotent Stem Cells from Cultured Human Primordial Germ Cells,” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America95, no. 23 (1998): 13726-13731. Kriegstein, B. Lo, A. & Grady D. “Clinical Trials in Stem Cell Transplantation: Guidelines for Scientific and Ethical Review,” Clinical Trials 5(2008): no. 5: 517-522. Read More