Preview

Stem Cell Research Debate

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
437 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Stem Cell Research Debate
Stem cell research has perhaps been the most controversial talks of birth after abortion. Stem cell research has much potential, but also has its issues. The issues particularly affect morals and religious beliefs around the world. Stem cell research has the potential to cure or fix many diseases and problems relating to our body. At the same time some cells are killed and the religious believe that the soul exists even as a stem cell at that size. There are two most common stem cell types. Embryonic stem cells are capable of becoming any cell type. This is because embryonic stem cells are pluripotent. Adult stem cells are, the more limited cell types. Adult stem cells can be grown with ease, but cannot form all of the necessary …show more content…
Totipotent cells can divide into differentiated cells. Multipotent cells can easily replace dead cells. I support stem cell research to a certain percent. Stem cell research is a great way to cure diseases and help with other medical issues in science. Stem cell research will help increase the survival rate of many. Some view stem cell research as evil, a sin, or not moral because they believe that a stem cell at that size contains a soul or has feelings. I myself am a skeptic of God, the bible, and any other religious ideas. The definition of a skeptic in the belief of God is called an “agnostic.” It is hard for me to pick a side when it comes to stem cell research. I respect every other person’s opinion on stem cell research just as I would expect them to respect my opinions. If I were to take a religious approach on the subject, I would have to say that there is no soul in a stem cell and the fact that if the soul does truly exist, then it would not be until later development when it gains a soul such as a baby beginning to develop in an egg. I am in the middle when it comes to stem cell research because I support it and at the same time I don’t support it. If I had to choose a side that I would lean towards more, I would likely have to choose to support stem cell research because I do not believe there is any hardcore evidence to support the fact that there is a soul in a collection of cells that small or even a soul at all. Therefore I would likely support stem

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    The CBHD in the same article asserts that “...some evidence suggests that stem cells cultured in the laboratory may have a tendency to recongregate and form an aggregate of cells capable of begining to develop as an embryo...If embryonic stem cells do indeed possess the ability to form or develop as a human embryo, research on such stem cells could itself involve the creation and/or destruction of human life...”(100). Thus, despite of these evidences, condoning human embryonic stem cell research would be irresponsibility. Besides, in order to determine significance of stem cell research, Goldstein asserts in his article “Providing Hope Through Stem Cell Research” that “...the grim arithmetic of most organ transplants is that those who are seriously ill wait for the tragic accidental death of another person so that they may live.”(82). From this point, stem cell is an incredible discovery yet it is unethical. However, in order not to use human embryos to harvest stem cells, the CBHD submits alternative methods and adds that “ ... a promising source of more mature stem cells for the treatment of disease is hematopoietic (blood cell- producing) stem cells from bone marrow or even from the placenta or umbilical cord blood in live births.”(100). Moreover, the CBHD also argues that “These cells are already widely…

    • 1187 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    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
  • Good Essays

    Embryonic stem cells can potentially cause tumors due to the rapid growth when injected into adults. Another big issue with the research of the embryonic stem cells is that in the far future, this could lead to the knowledge on human cloning. Seeing as embryonic stem cells come from the embryos, adult stem cells biggest advantage is that the body’s own stem cells can be used, effectively removing the problems of immune rejection or abnormalities. Many people who are religious would argue that harvesting the embryo is against belief. This is a main controversy because these people believe that the four-five day old embryo has a soul and is evidently murdered when harvested. They believe that the research on these cells violates the sanctuary of life. Their argument is that the embryo in the situation is a potential human being and see the fertilized egg as starting a…

    • 558 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Embryonic stem cells are stem cells that come from inner mass cells of a human embryo that are undifferentiated. They are a new and innovative way to help people of society, and with all innovative ideas comes controversy. Some people believe that embryonic stem cells should not be researched or toyed with, while others are all for it. Embryonic stem cell research is a positive thing that can enhance the world in several ways. It can boost the economy, save the lives of many people, and not offend any religions or people with religious beliefs at the same time.…

    • 592 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Ethics of Stem Cell Research

    • 2751 Words
    • 12 Pages

    The first task of dissecting this debate is to differentiate between the two types of stem cell research. The first is adult (also called somatic or germ-line) stem cell research and is generally accepted and endorsed by all groups. Taken from human bone marrow or other deep tissues, this type of research has already been used for years in the treatment of many diseases, most notably Leukemia. Even the Catholic Church supports adult stem cell research, going so far as to partner with certain groups to further adult stem cell research funding. The disagreement lies in embryonic stem cell research. In embryonic stem cell research, a human embryo is created and then destroyed in order to obtain the intended stem cells. The circumstances which make the embryonic cells more desirable are two-fold. First, technology for embryonic stem cell research is currently farther along than somatic cell research; and therefore, it is cheaper. The more important distinction is in the quality of the cells collected. Adult…

    • 2751 Words
    • 12 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Society does not view stem cell reasearch as ehtically wrong because some might say that it holds the key to reversing to effects of aging and or can prolong our lives here on Earth. What some can agree that is ethically wrong about stem cell research is the research of embryonic stem cells. Those who value human life from the point of conception, oppose embryonic stem cell reseach because the extraction of stems cells from this type of embryo requires its desturction. In other words, it requires human life to be killed in order to save another. In which society matches it with abortion or even murder. for example i know we all watched my sister's keeper. The reason why Kate survived was because the stem cells were injected into the embyro in order to be a perfect match for Kate. You saw how Anna was being treated and how her health was affected in order to save her own sister's life. Why do we have to use cells from an innocent life or why do we even need to do research on it when there are so many other resoruces we can use to find a cure for other diseases such a cancer and blood presure. It is said that it may be decades before a cure or if any cure could be found for cancer and other dieseases. And if research has been going on for so long and so much as been used in order to contunie that research why hasnt any cure been found in those past years? In some cases those stem cells are being thrown away because well they have found that stem cells grow a type of chromosomal anomalies that create cancer cells. In which if injected into a patinet the patient can be become ill and soon enough gain the deadly disease cancer. And as of today, there is no cure that has been founded upon stem cell research that can fully cure the…

    • 342 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    These cells are unique because they can be molded into developing into at least two hundred twenty cell types that are found in the human body.(Robinson, 2010) There are three types of stem cells, embryonic stem cells, which have the greatest potential because they can theoretically become any of the two hundred twenty cell types. A lot of the arguments on the ethics of stem cell research come from religious and social conservatives that are mostly pro-life. This is because they tend to believe that pre-embryos that are removed from the embryonic stem cells are a human person, so there for the process of removing the cells murders a human…

    • 1443 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Stem Cell Controversial

    • 1791 Words
    • 8 Pages

    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
  • Good Essays

    As the name suggests, embryonic stem cells are located in the embryo and can rebuild themselves into the same cell. These cells are undifferentiated meaning they can be used in all parts of the body which could potentially cure blood and immune system diseases, cancer, spinal cord injury and copious amount of other diseases. One of the main disadvantages with using embryonic stem cells for research is that human embryos are destroyed during the process of gathering the cells. This causes many people to believe that this is unethical because it is destroying a human…

    • 381 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    One of the biggest political debates of recent times is whether the government should not only allow, but appropriate funds for the research of all types of stem cells mainly the embryonic stem cell. A stem cell is a primitive type of cell that can be manipulated into developing into most of the cells present in the body. Scientists believe that the stem cell is the single most important element in the cure of many diseases, which include heart disease, diabetes, Alzheimer's, and some types of cancer. Stem cells can be extracted from both adults and young embryos. The differences of an embryonic stem cell and an adult stem cell in most peoples eyes are that cells can be extracted from adults for research without harm to adult, but those extracted from embryos are the result of the destruction of the embryo. Scientists believe that although adult stem cells can be helpful in the research in disease, those cells are inferior to those of a human embryo because the embryonic stem cell can developing in almost all the types of cells in the body, but the adult variety is limited in how many cells it can develop into. The Coalition for the advancement of Medical Research estimates, "…stem cell research shows promise to develop cures and/or new treatments for 100 million Americans who currently suffer from a wide variety of diseases and disorders."…

    • 2512 Words
    • 11 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    The population of the United States is much divided on the subject of stem cell research. The majority of the controversy surrounds the fact that, during the process of harvesting embryonic stem cells, the embryo is destroyed. Comparable to the abortion debate, some people believe that an embryo, no matter how old, is considered a human and should be given respect as well as the right to life. There is also concern that…

    • 2234 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    In this case, the slippery slope of the acquirement of the stem cells is diminished and thoroughly regulated. In the event that, the embryos are acquired through an intentional abortion the morality of the research is put into question and should not be allowed to proceed. Intentionally growing a fetus only to be used for embryonic stem cells is wrong and is why there needs to be strict rules and regulations as to where research facilities will acquire their samples. Reservations regarding stem cells research is primarily based on religious beliefs and the lack of understanding of the matter. Under certain religious doctrines…

    • 1217 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The stem cell policy prevents federal funded researchers from working on all, but a few sources of embryonic stem cells. The policy can help decrease government spending and serves as a purpose to those who view stem cell research as ethically and morally problematic. The stem cell policy, a good idea in the aspects of preventing usage and destruction of human embryonic stem cells and supported by those who view stem cell research as a negative externality to the country.…

    • 739 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    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
  • Good Essays

    Stem Cell Research

    • 401 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Malek, B. (2011, 03 28). The ethics of using aborted babies in stem cell research. Retrieved from http://erasetheneed.wordpress.com/2011/03/28/the-ethics-of-using-aborted-babies-in-stem-cell-research/…

    • 401 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays