Preview

Ethical Issues Concerning Stem Cell Research Ethics

Powerful Essays
Open Document
Open Document
1135 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Ethical Issues Concerning Stem Cell Research Ethics
Science has been making numerous strides in medicine over the decades. They have discovered a way to detect disease early, which makes a cure possible. With the assistance of technology, medical doctors are able to perform less evasive surgery, making recovery faster and lessen the possibility of complications. Science and medicine continue to research ways to make life for people. In 1998, scientist learned how to remove stem cells from human embryos and grow the cells in laboratories (Stem Cell Information, n.d.). The potential benefits of using human embryonic stem cells to treat disease and injuries is exciting but the controversy on the moral implications of destroying embryos is casting a shadow. This paper will, while explaining what stem cell research is, outline the moral problem …show more content…
The first it relates to the moral status of the human embryos, the second relates to the potential medical therapies that could result from hESC research, and the third relates to the contribution the research may make to our scientific knowledge (Ethical Considerations Regarding Stem Cell Research, n.d.). Concerning the status of the embryo is brought about whether it is a human being with a soul or is it a collection of cells. This issue is more of a religious or political dilemma. The second claim of therapeutic promise – possibly relieving the suffering of so many people afflicted by degenerative diseases and other conditions. The considerable potential benefits in regards to human health sparks a claim that we are duty bound to pursue the potential relief of human suffering (Ethical Considerations Regarding Stem Cell Research, n.d). The third moral claim in contributing to the knowledge of science is that while advancing our scientific knowledge of biology is valuable, the power of this knowledge grants us may be fraught with new ethical dangers (Ethical Considerations Regarding Stem Cell Research,
Continue Reading
View Writing Issues

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Embryonic Stem Cell Critical Analysis Forms
    • 2675 Words
    • 11 Pages

    Embryonic Stem Cell Critical Analysis Forms

    Embryonic Stem Cell Research Is Not Ethical. Dennis P. Hollinger. At Issue: The Ethics of Genetic Engineering. Ed. Maurya Siedler. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 2005.…

    • 2675 Words
    • 11 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Embryonic Stem Cell Research: Sacrificing for the Greater Good
    • 1044 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Embryonic Stem Cell Research: Sacrificing for the Greater Good

    Embryos are essentially microscopic human beings. Regardless of what good they may provide to the field of medicine, the ethical controversies surrounding embryonic stem cell research are profound. Stem cells, the cells used by the human body to replenish damaged tissue, are found in both embryonic and adult form. At the adult level, stem cells can be extracted from bone marrow, but the real ethical debate arises when embryonic stem cells are introduced. “Pluripotent” embryonic stem cells are among the only type that can form any of over 200 cell types, making it the most useful and versatile. These cells are isolated from the inner cell mass of the embryo when extracted, and subsequently terminates the embryo itself, which is technically manslaughter. However, it must also be noted that embryonic stem cell research can provide effective treatments and even cures for those in need of organ transplants and other irremediable predicaments. Therefore, it is safe to say, from a utilitarian perspective, that the essential “death” of one embryo can save the lives of many, and with Jeremy Bentham’s phrase “the greatest good for the greatest number”; I believe that embryonic stem cell research is ethical.…

    • 1044 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Embryonic Stem Cell Research Persuasive Essay
    • 1187 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Embryonic Stem Cell Research Persuasive Essay

    Although Goldstein in his article “Providing Hope Through Stem Cell Research” determines “Ethically validated pluripotent stem cell research provides new hope for desperately ill people.”(84) , it is a risk for ethics. Moreover, the CBHD in the article “Human Stem Cell Research Is Unethical” implies “To manipulate and destroy huan embryos should make us all awake at night”(97). Thus, abiding by human embryonic stem cell research can easily create a guilty conscious. Furthermore, the CBHD declares that in the past there were numerous experiments which were driven by a crass utilitarian ethos which results in the creation of a “sub-class” of human beings, allowing the rights of the few to be sacrificed for the sake of potential benefit to many(98). Therefore, to victimize one human being in order to rescue another human being , undoubtfully, is unethical, tyrannical and against the human dignity. The CBHD also adds that “...we recognize that we are simply not freee to pursue good ends via unethical means of all human beings, embryos are the most defenseless against abuse”(99). From this viewpoint, destroying these defenseless human being is also unethical and may not be ignored. Briefly, human embryonic stem cell research is unethical and should be…

    • 1187 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Embryonic Stem Cell Research: How Does It Affect You? Essay Example
    • 1593 Words
    • 7 Pages

    Embryonic Stem Cell Research: How Does It Affect You? Essay Example

    Embryonic stem cell research is widely controversial in the scientific world. Issues on the ethics of Embryonic Stem (ES) cell research have created pandemonium in our society. The different views on this subject are well researched and supportive. The facts presented have the capability to support or possibly change the public's perspective. This case study is based on facts and concerns that much of the research done on embryonic stem cells is derived from human embryos. This case study will provide others with a more in depth view of both sides of this great debate.…

    • 1593 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Should Embryonic Stem Cell Research Is Unethical Or Ethical?
    • 2096 Words
    • 9 Pages

    Should Embryonic Stem Cell Research Is Unethical Or Ethical?

    Life is defined as the existence of an individual human being or animal. There is a plethora of controversy about when life truly starts. Does it start right when the sperm meets the egg? Does it start when the fetus develops enough to feel? Most have their own opinion on this topic, but if “killing” an embryo can save lives it might be worth it. General stem cell research has been going on for many years, but due to cut funding, advancements have been inhibited. It was cut because embryonic stem cells research is considered unethical, but embryonic stem cells open a whole new realm of possibilities. The debate of using these stem cells has been argued for a long period of time. Certain stem cell research may be considered unethical, but the…

    • 2096 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    outline on stemcell research paper
    • 964 Words
    • 4 Pages

    outline on stemcell research paper

    Thesis: In the great debate of biomedical engineering, stem cell research has become a hot topic as the religious community has become outraged with the destruction of human life for medical experimentation…

    • 964 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Ethics of Stem Cell Research
    • 2751 Words
    • 12 Pages

    Ethics of Stem Cell Research

    Stem cell research represents a new opportunity for ethical thought and debate. Stem cells are primitive cells which have yet to specialize. Through proper coaxing, stem cells can be made to differentiate into usable body cells and eventually used for medical treatment. Though stem cell technology has been in development since the 1960’s, it was not until August of 2001, when then-president George W. Bush announced that federal funds could be allotted to embryonic stem cell research, that the issue became a hot political topic. The matter is argued with vehement fervor, but the quarrels are wrought with emotivism and partisanship more than actual valid and cogent arguments. In fact, stem cell research has a very broad range of ethical implications. The normative ethical theories, the abortion debate, and even business ethics all have a place in the discussion due to the different new moral challenges which are prompted by this blossoming technology.…

    • 2751 Words
    • 12 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Should Parents Have The Use Of Embryonic Stem Cells?
    • 988 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Should Parents Have The Use Of Embryonic Stem Cells?

    There are moral, ethical and religious views of the use of embryonic stem cells from other people but I favour the ethical view of the use of embryonic stem cells because, according to Euro Stem Cells; it is impossible to respect both moral principles which are the duty to prevent suffering and the duty to respect the value of human life because, most people who have the belief of the use of embryonic cells kills a human kind of mind think that no parent has the right to use embryonic stem cells to cure other person's diseases even though an stem cell is renewable but on the ethical side scientist agree that the process of getting embryonic stem cells does destroy the potential life but believe the use of embryonic stem cells may lead to the discovery of new medical treatments or cures that…

    • 988 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Stem Cell Research Legislation
    • 1443 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Stem Cell Research Legislation

    For some time now, stem cell research has been a major issue when it comes to ethics. “Ethics, science and religion became further intertwined with politics in the 1990’s, increasing the battles among congress, administrations, and other agencies” (Scott, 2006, p.153). Stem cell research is probably one of the most important scientific advancements in the past one hundred years.…

    • 1443 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Stem Cell Controversial
    • 1791 Words
    • 8 Pages

    Stem Cell Controversial

    In 2001, President George W. Bush cut funding for research on stem cell obtained from human embryos because it is technology that requires the destruction of human life "My position on this issue is shaped by deeply held beliefs. I also believe human life is a sacred gift from our creator" (Bush, George W., Crawford, Texas, Thursday, August 9, 2001. Stem cell research speech.) His policy restricted the government funding of stem cells. These are utility cells with the potential to develop into various cell types throughout the body. They play an important role in the maintenance and reparation of the body. They can divide without limit to replenish other cells as long as the person is alive. Stem cells have unlimited potential when it comes to curing diseases such as cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and, Arthritis. The only problem is that getting stem cell requires the destruction of a human embryo. This issue creates a moral dilemma between the duty to alleviate the suffering of others versus the duty to respect the value of human life. What decides which moral…

    • 1791 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Stem Cells: Good, Bad and Ugly
    • 2063 Words
    • 9 Pages

    Stem Cells: Good, Bad and Ugly

    The use of embryonic stem cells to treat human diseases; is it unethical, questionable, helpful, in violation of law and policy or just the right answer for many, many diseases? All of these are great questions and are all questions that everyone and everybody has an opinion on at one time or another. To first really understand the controversy surrounding stem cell research you must know a little about its base; embryonic stem cells, “they are cells harvested or collected from the very early stages of a fertilized egg, which contains about eight cells per egg (1).” Are we killing innocent children or are we allowing others the possible chance to live. Many think that harvesting these stem cells is murder, where others are seeing it as the difference between life and death. This is where the controversy begins and why many have a problem with stem cell research; it is how the embryonic stem cells are harvested and how they are used.…

    • 2063 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Embryonic Stem Cell Research
    • 1217 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Embryonic Stem Cell Research

    Among scientific research it is true that adult stem cells have successfully treated certain diseases and illness in clinical trials; nevertheless, scientific innovations in the medical field is crucial to the ever-growing understanding of the human body. Adult stem cells do not pose such a grand ethical dilemma as much as embryonic stem cells do and is part of the reason why researchers choose not to look into the matter any further. The fear of uncertainty has limited the progression of science by the growing debate of what is morally wrong and…

    • 1217 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    embryonic stem cell research
    • 686 Words
    • 3 Pages

    embryonic stem cell research

    This debate on embryonic stem cell research has held on over three decades. The controversy has not ended at this time. The controversy is about the work that holds immense promises from the scientific end and the opponents who view them as giving less value to human life. The most recent debate uses the very early part of development of stem cells for the potential to be alleviate conditions ranging from diabetes to Alzheimer's Disease. In 2001 the Bush Administration proclaimed a policy that permits some research with federal funds used with very strict rules. This policy has gathered little support three years later from the…

    • 686 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Persuasive Essay On Human Gene Therapy
    • 479 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Persuasive Essay On Human Gene Therapy

    From a scientist’s point of view, embryonic stem cells have a huge potential to revolutionize the field of regenerative medicine and tissue engineering as they hold the ability to produce all cell lineages including the germ line. This would provide the gateway for the treatment of a wide range of diseases where the body is incapable of repairing itself. However, some people especially religious communities hold strong objections regarding the use of human embryos in scientific research (De Wert, 2003) (Orive, 2003). The main point being that since “new life begins at the point of conception”, the embryo should hold full human rights (Daley, G.Q. et al., 2007). Nevertheless, there are different legislations in place in different countries regarding the use of human embryonic stem cells. In UK, embryonic stem cell research can only be carried out with authority from the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority…

    • 479 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    What Are The Arguments Against Embryonic Stem Cell Research
    • 627 Words
    • 3 Pages

    What Are The Arguments Against Embryonic Stem Cell Research

    On the hot topic of human embryonic stem cell research and its moral/ethical ground, which side is right? Each side has great and truth bearing arguments. Each party is convinced that their choice is the correct one. Untimely to conclude with the most valid option, you must totally research and exhaust all facts of each argument as well as be open minded to both sides. It抯 important to find your decision based on the facts and not let your personal beliefs cloud your decision.…

    • 627 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More

Related Topics