Embryonic Stem Cell Argumentative Essay

The research of human embryonic stem cells (hESC) is talked about a lot in the field of medical research, not just by the scientists, but also by politicians, religious groups, etc. The discovery of stem cells is known as a medical sensation, with its research having the potential to cure many diseases. But there are still ethical issues standing in the way of this research, and due to this, different parts of the world have different rules and regulations regarding the research of stem cells and their use in cellular therapy, and it is even illegal in a number of countries. Before I dive straight into the advantages and disadvantages of their use in cellular therapy, I should talk about the basics of hESC and how we can make them. Embryonic stem cells are pluripotent, i.e. they can differentiate into any type of cell in our body, and they can replicate indefinitely. We can create an embryonic stem cell line in more than one method, and most of them involve creating a fertilized egg (zygote), which eventually forms into a blastocyst. The inner cell mass of the blastocyst can be transferred onto a petri-dish containing a culture medium, where it is encouraged to divide. The diagram below illustrates this process.

Embryonic stem cell research is the study of stem cells derived from the undifferentiated inner mass cells of a human embryo. For many years now, the ethics of embryonic stem cell research has been argued. A recent advance in this line of research is the ability to clone the embryonic stem cells, which allows for researchers to create a completely compatible embryonic stem cell to the individual’s tissue type. Though this new science may be very beneficial, not everyone can agree on the ethics of it. While the National Bioethics Advisory Commission approves of stem cell research via in vitro fertilization, they are strongly opposed of the cloning of embryos, which is expressed in Volume I Report and Recommendations of the National Bioethics Advisory Commission, “Issues in Human Stem Cell Research". On the other hand, Dr. Katrien Devolder, the writer of the article, “Creating and sacrificing embryos for stem cells” is devout to the advocacy of embryonic stem cell research which includes the use and derivation of stem cells from spare in vitro fertilization embryos as well as the creation of embryos for these purposes. Embryonic stem cell research has accomplished so much for for medicine, it would be a shame to not continue it because of opposing views that could easily come to a mutual consensus.

Embryonic stem cell therapy does more good so it can't possibly be evil. If your still having doubts though scientists just recently figured out a new method called somatic nuclear transfer, which is basically cloning the cell, this bypasses the need to destroy the embryo produced ‘naturally’ by the fusion of sperm and egg, which could otherwise develop to term if implanted. This procedure was first described in sheep, where a somatic cell nucleus was transferred into an enucleated oocyte, which is just an egg cell, leading to apparently normal embryonic development in a proportion of cases. Cloned embryos have since been generated in a number of species, using a variety of somatic cell types (Rippon and Bishop). Scientists are also working closely with the government to make sure that research is done right so that everyone can be happy and safe. The National Academy of Sciences has met numerous times to develop guidelines that help ensure such work proceeds only within well-defined limits. One of the guiding principles in these policies is the intrinsic value of human life. The guidelines call for careful ethical oversight of all research using human oocytes (eggs), embryos, or cell lines derived from these tissues. The

Many of the criticisms directed towards the advent of stem cell research have centered on the source of the most scientifically useful types of stem cells—pre-implantation human embryos. Unfortunately, harvesting embryonic stem cells typically results in the destruction of the embryo from which they are harvested, which gives rise to a moral dilemma: is it ethically acceptable to destroy an embryo’s potential to life? Those who are against human embryonic stem cell research will answer you with an emphatic “no”; they usually argue much like pro-lifers—“…human embryos have an equal standing to all living persons… and destroying them is akin to murder” (Hyuu 71). However, to halt stem cell research solely because an embryo has the potential

Embryonic Stem Cell is when you have to destroy the egg inside, thus rendering that egg to become a human. The Stem Cell is put into a petri dish where it will be cultured and feed nutrients (Bethesda). The Stem Cell is almost like a blank code, It can replenish a part of the body that is hurt or has a disease (Bigloo). Stem cells can be programed any where in the body to fix the issue. When the stem cell divides it will keep producing till the part of the body is back to normal (Bethesda). Stem cells can be program as muscle cells, a red blood cell, or even a brain cell. This amazing discovery has only been around for 40 years (Bigloo). Scientist have only sractch the surface on finding out what they can really do with embryonic stem cell research. In America Stem Cell Research has been ridiculed and looked down at. Religious and different political parties though say its morally unethical, that the scientist are “playing god” and those fertilized eggs don’t have a choice to live or die. Embryonic stem cell have shown to help fight almost 70 top diseases in the world. In the next following year possibly erasing them from the face of the earth. Stem cell research is the way of the future it can so many people that are on the brink of death. This discussion has been going on since stem cell research was founded 40 years a ago.

In a world with science and medicine advancing everyday, one of the most promising and exciting discoveries ever made were stem cells. Scientists discovered an undifferentiated cell that could morph into anything they needed it to, from skin all the way to a liver. The only problem that arose was the fact that undifferentiated stem cells could only be harvested from embryos. As advances in research were made, along came the discovery of adult stem cells, umbilical stem cells, and induced pluripotent stem cells. Although science is advancing, scientific research continues to be conducted on stem cells harvested from embryos and aborted fetuses despite the social, political, and ethical arguments against it and the growing potential for stem cells to be collected from adults, umbilical cords, and induced pluripotent stem cells.

Although there are endless possibilities, one of the key issues that has faced stem cell research is the ethical means of this method of research. As stated before, embryonic stem cells have the greatest potential to cure diseases, but they are also the ones that raise a key ethical question. That question is whether or not it is worth to destroy embryos and to put a mother’s life on the line to acquire these stem cells. There are multiple views on this topic, some people, mostly religious, believe that all life begins at conception (“Stem Cells” 1). This is the biggest problem facing stem cell research, and there is no clear or definite answer. Others, however argue that since the embryo is undeveloped and does not have a nervous system or

Stem cells are the newest "hot" topic in biological research. Very few other ongoing areas of research have been the focus of numerous articles, Presidential and Congressional scrutiny, and numerous ethical debates played out in the national media. This ongoing focus on stem cells is due in part to their amazing potential and in part to the controversial nature of one type of stem cell—the embryonic stem cell. The key question that is being dealt with is the issue of Federal funding for research with embryonic stem cells; the underlying issues of this simple question cause strong opinions and necessitate serious ethical considerations.

   This essay counters the media and many scientists' claims that there are no viable alternatives to human-embryo stem-cell research (ESCR).

Today’s society has involved many scientific advances and beneficial research. Scientists all over the world have been doing recent studies on embryonic stem cells. Embryonic stem cells are the cells that aid the process of child growth while in the womb. These cells have a specific function to reproduce into any body part, such as a heart or major organ to hair or something not so major. Research shows that these cells have many potential medical benefits in the future. Embryonic stem cell research should continue to be pursued in society today.

Even though embryonic stem cells can be a great use to human kind, the fact is that this help comes at a terrible price. Embryonic stem cells can only be found in blastocyst of an embryo. There are those who believe that life begins at conception, so the blastocyst is a human life and to destroy it is unacceptable. Stem Cells can also be found in the umbilical cord of a baby just born. According to DO NO HARM, the coalition of Americans for research ethics, these stem cells are currently the only ones being used to treat humans, and have had positive results. Thanks to these cells, a number of drugs have been successfully tested and are now available. If less money is spent on the research of embryonic stem cells, the adult stem cell research could provide even greater advances. Another reason for abandoning this research is that all the promises made by scientists have not been proven. According to the Institute for Creation Research, they are all theories at best.

Embryonic stem cell research is a controversial topic. In the religious aspect its man trying to play the authority of GOD on whether people should live, die or suffer from ailments and injuries. On a scientific and medical aspect it is compassionate people looking for ways to enhance the quality of life by treating and possibly curing disease, illness and injuries that seem to have plagued society since the dawn of medicine. This paper will go through time lines, the benefits, pitfalls, and the economic woes of embryonic stem cell research.

The technological advancements in embryonic stem cell research have been outstanding. In addition to the vaccines and treatments that scientists have already discovered, they hope to find more breakthroughs in the near future. (Xibo) Some of the research topics scientists are looking into is replacing damaged cells, finding defects in early development that can cause diseases or miscarriages, study normal development, and also learn how medicines or toxins affect a fetus. (Klimas) Embryonic stem cells are an incredible approach to medical research. These stem cells have no defined role in what they will become. They have the potential to turn into anything from brain cells or liver cells or even muscle cells. Embryonic stem cells divide rapidly and are also less susceptible to rejection than adult cells when transplanted, making embryonic stem cells the ideal source of stem cells. They can be transplanted into a place with some damaged cells and be able to replace them and work as if they were in place before the damage occurred. (Kobe)

Stem cell research has caused a big ethical debate across the nation. The stem cell lines developed for stem cell research are established from embryos after fertilization. An embryo is then divided into individual cells to create a stem cell line. From the embryo, one cell is placed in a dish and nourished with substances that stimulate the cell to divide, then the resulting line will then continue to divide in a managed environment and if taken care of properly (Creating Stem Cells For Research). The stem cells created can then be used to replace damaged cells. The United States Congress should support stem cell research for helping cure diseases but not for the experimentation of human cloning.

     Aside from just not having proven to be an effective means of curing sicknesses, embryonic stem cells are obtained from in vitro fertilized embryos as well as aborted embryos. The problem with in vitro fertilized embryos is the researchers have a tendencies to make too many of them, in mass amounts. Their resolution to this is to freeze the embryos, to slow the death process. So, essentially, these researchers create the living embryo, study it, freeze it, pull some cells from it, then let it die (Center for Bioethics and Culture).