Symbolic Issues in Embryo Research - Essay Example

 The scientific legality of this research is the subject of several special investigations, but the ethical consequences of the experiment are important as well. (Singer)Hwang and his colleagues state that they exchanged the nucleus of an unfertilized egg of a human for the nucleus of an ordinary cell, taken from another human, and created the lines made of stem cells from an embryo that appeared as the result.

These stem cells coincided with the DNA of the man who provided an ordinary cell. This experiment demonstrated that it is now possible to give a cell or a tissue to a person, and they will not be rejected by the organism, having been cloned from them. (Singer)The experiments of Hwang haven't been completed. However, he assumed that definite problems might occur. He insisted on the legitimacy of his work, confessing that there may be errors in the lines of stem cells. He also confessed that few cells could be damaged.

At any rate, scientists consider this to be one of the most significant discoveries in medicine and biology. Of course, experiments and research are needed, but the results will significantly change the whole medical practice. (Robertson)But the ethical background of this invention is discussed by many scientists. It shows that the potential of human life is included in each cell of our organism, and this would change the discussion about the value of human life. For instance, George Bush stated some years ago that the USA will not provide the money to finance the research aimed at observation of the lines of stem cells: "Like a snowflake, each of these embryos is unique, with the unique genetic potential of an individual human being.

" (qtd in Edwards)But, the scientists state, the results of Hwang's research disprove this opinion. If the uniqueness of the human embryos is an obstacle to destroying them, taking one cell of the embryo and destroying the rest to get the stem cells for keeping this unique potential is possible, the educators state. One of the supporters of the research, Peter Singer, wrote: "This possibility highlights the weakness of the argument that abortion, too, is wrong because it destroys a genetically unique human being.

By this reasoning, a woman who finds herself pregnant at an inconvenient time could have an abortion, as long as she preserves a single cell from the fetus to ensure that its unique genetic potential is preserved." (Singer)This scientist states that this may be important for the moral aspect of abortion. If a woman wants to have a child later, she may conceive it naturally, rather than use the DNA of the embryo she had before. Each embryo will have its unique genotype, and in case the father of these embryos is the same, there is no reason for choosing one child instead of another. (Singer)Some critics state that the killed embryo could be a talented artist or composer.

But, the scientists argue, each new child may have the same potential, so it is wrong to prefer one embryo to another, regardless of the uniqueness of DNA. Those scientists that support further research in stem cells insist that the statement about the possibility or impossibility to carry out research with embryos or fetuses should be based on the nature of these organisms. Of course, killing them is wrong, because they are live organisms, containing the potential for future human organisms and conscience.