The Use of Stem Cells - Essay Example

Introduction Stem cells are defined by the American Medical Association (n.d) as "An immature cell that has the potential to become specialized into different types of cells throughout the body" (para. 1). There are a lot of ethical issues surrounding the use of stem cells in research and treatment. There are two types of stem cells as outlined by the American Medical Association (n.d) and these include adult stem cells as well as the embryonic stem cells. With the help of modern technology, these stem cells can be transformed into any type of cell in the human body. This paper explicates the ethical issues surrounding use of stem cell in research and treatment, the debates surrounding this issue, and illuminates whether there are laws that prevent or encourage stem cell research today. Ethical issues Lo and Parham (2009) asserts that ethical issues arise in every step comprised in stem cell research. These steps range from permission or authority to give stem cells to be used in research, experimentation stage, and in supervisory stage necessary in the process of stem cell research. In terms of giving the stem cells for research, ethical issues arise relating to informed consent. In the field of research, Lo and Parham (2009) assert that stem cells may be developed in the laboratory or originate from foetuses from legal abortions. It is important to note that individual hold diverse viewpoints or opinions on whether stem cells ought to be used in research and treatment. Conversely, there are people who donate their foetuses, for instance those involved in miscarriages, to be used for research. However, they may hold reservations on how stems cells from the foetus ought to be used. It is therefore imperative for scientists to ensure they obtain informed consent from these donors. Concerns have arisen that most of those who sign the consent form rarely understand the content of the forms (Lo and Parham, 2009). A clear and precise explanation on how the foetus will be used in research should be given to the donor in order for them to make an informed decision. Secondly, there are ethical issues relating to destruction of embryos and their creation in the laboratory for use in research. There are concerns among groups of people all over the world that developing embryos in the laboratory with the main objective of using them in research is infringement into the rights of the foetus or embryo (British Medical Association, 2012). As Lo and Parham (2009) notes, creating embryos in the laboratory can give rise to deformed foetuses as a result of mistakes when encoding the genetic material of an individual. This further raises ethical concerns. Many people also believe that a child ought to be the product of both man and woman. Since developing embryos scientifically for use in research largely involves cloning the genetic material, it therefore means the product will be a twin of the cloned individual. In other words, there would be erosion of the general moral perspective or belief that children are a product of a man and a woman (British Medical Association, 2012). Thirdly, ethical issues arise in regard to reimbursements for embryo donors. According to Lo and Parham (2009), compensating the donor for the expenses incurred in the process is not in itself unethical. However, Lo and Parham (2009) are keen to point out that compensating the donors more than the incurred expenses would encourage women to risk their lives as more of the them would seek to become donors solely for financial gains. Fourthly, extracting female egg cells may compromise the ability of those involved to reproduce in future (Wurtzel, 2006). According to Wurtzel (2006), there are also ethical concerns relating to the medical risks involved in extraction of female cells or oozytes from the ovary as there may be complications involved, for instance, excessive bleeding. There are prohibitions in the US health insurance systems that restrict compensation for injuries that arise from such incidences. Ethical concerns arise therefore whether a donor should be allowed to cover for her medical expenses incurred in the process. This is in regard to the fact the donor has risked her life for the sake of research (Wurtzel, 2006). Stem cell research has both supporters and antagonists. In reference to this, there are ethical concerns that relate to breach of confidentiality. In essence, the identity of stem cell donors should be treated with the highest confidentiality possible. Breach of such information could lead to humiliation and shame for the donors. Antagonists could target the donors and there is hence the risk for harming them (Lo and Parham, 2009). Debates surrounding use of stem cells in research and treatment All stakeholders within the society have been involved in debates over the use of stem cells in research and treatment. These debates have been attributed to the morality of using the embryos in research. Stem cell research and treatment antagonist have over the past likened the obliteration of embryos to abortion (Wurtzel, 2006). These antagonists have argued that an embryo has the capacity to develop into a human and therefore ought to be treated like one. In other words, antagonists of the use of stem cells in treatment and research argue that extraction of embryos from a donor is in itself unethical and equate it to destruction of a human life. On the other hand, supporters of the use of stem cells in research and treatment argue that stem cell research presents an assurance that scientists could unearth and comprehend the secrets of human development (Lo and Parham, 2009). This, they argue, could be the basis for the creation of treatments for complicated illnesses and medical conditions such as diabetes. In opposing this viewpoint, the antagonists argue that it is immoral and unjustified to obliterate a human being for the sole purpose of saving another (Wurtzel, 2006). To them, destruction of embryos for use in research is therefore unjustified. It is of significance to also point out that opponents of stem cell research as posited by Wurtzel (2006) argue that allowing it could pave the way for other methodical investigations that could undervalue the entity of human life even further. Though stem cells are also touted to be extracted from adult from human beings, much debate has revolved around its extraction from embryos. Similarly, much of the debates hover around religion. Many religious outlets particularly Catholics are against destruction of human life since an embryo has to be destroyed for the stem cells to be extracted. Catholics argue that if financial aid to institutions involved in stem cells research is stopped, then destruction of human life will also be stopped (Wurtzel, 2006). In countering the arguments of the antagonists, supporters of stem cell research argue that the costs incurred by the society in regard to treatment and management of serious medical conditions outweigh their moral concerns (Wurtzel, 2006). Wurtzel (2006) additionally assert that these supporters believe that embryos gotten from miscarriages or abortions ought not be annihilated but should be used for the benefit of the human race. Are there laws that either prevent or encourage stem cell research? Nations all over the world have divergent rules or laws in regard to stem cell research. According to the Human Tissue Authority (n.d), "Some countries have adopted laws that allow embryonic stem cell research, including therapeutic cloning and the creation of embryos specially for research purposes" (n.p). In reference to ongoing debates on the issue, a number of countries in fact have negotiated with both parties and enacted conciliatory laws relating to stem cell research. In delineation, these conciliatory laws allows stem cell research to a certain degree and at the same time limit others. For instance, there are no clear national guidelines in the United States that regulate the use of stem cells in research and treatment. Laws and guidelines have been enacted and implemented per State independently (Human Tissue Authority, n.d). Some of the States where stem cell research is illegal or forbidden as cited by the Human Tissue Authority (n.d) include Florida and Pennsylvania whereas States such as California have liberal laws that allow stem cell research. According to British Medical Association (2012), the Human Fertilization and Embryology Act of 1990 prohibits against the creation of an embryo in the laboratory without a certificate of authorization. Conversely, this act prohibits against implanting an embryo not relating to a human into a uterus of a female human being (British Medical Association, 2012). This acts therefore restricts the use of stem cell research in that only legally permitted individuals are permitted and are subsequently monitored. Monitoring is imperative in order to ensure that the particular stem cell research is done in accordance with the law. Conclusion There are numerous ethical issues or concerns that relate to the use of stem cells in research and treatment. For instance, there are concerns that donors may not understand or comprehend stem cell research and hence end up donating for a course they do not understand. Scientists are advised to provide all relevant information necessary to inform the donor in making a decision. Overcompensating the donors could also commercialize stem cell donation and this is in itself unethical. Supporter of stem cell research argue that the costs incurred by the society through treating and managing complicated illnesses either directly or indirectly prevails over the moral concerns. Antagonists on the other hand argue that human life begin at fertilization stage and therefore destruction of an embryo is murder and hence should be illegalized. Countries have divergent laws relating to stem cell research. References American Medical Association. (n.d). Basics of Stem Cell Research. Retrieved from http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/physician-resources/medical-science/genetics- molecular-medicine/related-policy-topics/stem-cell-research/basics-stem-cell- research.page? British Medical Association. (2012). Medical Ethics Today: The BMA's Handbook of Ethics and Law. West Sussex, UK: John Wiley & Sons. Human Tissue Authority. (n.d). Stem Cells: Stem Cell Science in the UK. Retrieved from http://www.hta.gov.uk/_db/_documents/stem_cell_pack_200806170144.pdf Lo, B., & Parham, L. (2009). Ethical Issues in Stem Cell Research. The Endocrine Society, 30(3), 204-213. Wurtzel, A. E. (2006). Trends in Contemporary Ethical Issues. New York, NY: Nova Science Publishers. Read More