Stem cell - Research Paper Example

The Embryonic Stem Cell Research Summary It is worthy that a moral dilemma accrues in embryonic stem cell research inthat one has to abide by one of the two moral principles that conflict. These principles are mainly the duty to prevent suffering and the duty to respect the value of human life. The first principle does well to the patients in that the research will enhance the discovery of cures to many ailments that pose big threat to humanity. On the hand, the carrying out of the research is seen as bringing down humanity in that it involves the destruction of the embryo.

It is widely believed that the embryo possesses the full moral status right from the fertilization stage onwards. Some people believe that the embryonic stem cell research is against the Christian values in that the embryo assumes the status of a full human being right from conception. Thus, carrying out the embryonic stem cell research is not permitted at all.My viewsIt is important to note that an ethical dilemma accrues whenever a healthcare professional wants to perform the embryonic cell research.

Therefore, one should consider all the ethical principles. JusticeIt is the duty and responsibility of a healthcare professional to ensure that justice is done to the patients in order to prevent suffering thus the necessity to carry out the embryonic cell research. Consequently, the principle of distributive justice appears to be subdued in that a potential human life is destroyed when the embryonic stem cell research is performed. BeneficenceIt is essential for a healthcare professional to uphold this principle in an ethical dilemma scenario whilst doing the embryonic stem cell research.

The health care professional should realize that the embryonic stem cell research will go a long way in saving so many people’s lives in a wider scope. The research will lead to the development of cures and treatments for various afflictions, which are pernicious, and threats to humanity for instance the diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, heart disease, and Alzheimer’s disease. Non-maleficenceIn applying this principle, the healthcare professional should ensure the performance of the embryonic stem cell research does more good than harm.

In this regard, it is apparent that the moral status of the embryo becomes delicate as days move right from the fertilization date. The health care professionals should therefore carry out the research in the early stages of the embryonic development with respect to this principle. IntegrityThis is an important principle, which should be embraced by the healthcare professionals whilst carrying out the embryonic stem cell research. In this regard, the research should be objective and the health care professional should adhere to the provided scientific guidelines.

The principle of autonomyThis is an important principle, which should be adhered to before carrying out the research. It is important for the healthcare professional to get the consent from the patient of the relatives of the patient whose embryo is to be put under study. Reference23 Mar 2011 Embryonic stem cell research: an ethical dilemma. Retrieved from http://www.eurostemcell.org/factsheet/embyronic-stem-cell-research-ethical-dilemma