There is no other issue throughout American history, which has produced such controversy across opinion of the general public. Not slavery, prohibition, or abortion has aroused such a significant dispute regarding specific dilemma, than cloning with stem cell research did. Embryo research or “research cloning” debate united and simultaneously separated scientific convictions. While one group of scientists seems inhospitable to particular research goals, others scientific associations announce that they will “go offshore” if stem cell research is outlawed in the U. S.
The most bizarre example is from a prominent American researcher and infertility expert, Jamie Grifo, who at the 2003 annual meeting of the American Society of Reproductive Medicine, announced an experiment he sponsored in China because the research could not legally or ethically be conducted in the United States (Simms 211). From the critical standpoint and in the light of problems contemporary society experiences with various diseases, stem cell research should be supported by government and commercial initiatives as a viable resolution for pressing health dilemma.
Stem cell research could facilitate medicine in repairing the brain, replace muscle, heal wounds, or regenerate livers, kidneys, pancreas, eyes, and ears. Furthermore, it could help to reverse the effects of degenerative disorders such as osteoporosis, atherosclerosis, Parkinson disease, Alzheimer disease, and diabetes. The number of people who could benefit from stem cell development is infinite. Nevertheless many people, in particular those with moral and religious concerns, highly question the use of embryos and biological modifications.
This is not a dilemma that will be quickly resolved, especially since no one knows all the future implications. Therefore, even though many scientists and human rights activists believe stem cell research, especially embryonic, destroys human life; and that the future outcome is unknown, it must be continued to further medical progress. The research of stem cells, particularly involving embryos and embryonic stem cells, has created a widespread controversy and a major issue in political debates. This is because starting a stem cell line requires the destruction of an embryo and/or the use of therapeutic cloning.
Opponents of the research argue that this practice is a slippery slope to reproductive and human cloning (Knoepffler 55). Conversely, scientists believe that these techniques are necessary to pursue embryonic stem cell research. On the other hand, Robert George, a professor at Princeton University, believes harvesting stem cells is like harvesting organs from children or death-row prisoners (Kennedy Institute of Ethics Journal). However, is harvesting stem cells really that extreme? Even though embryos are destroyed when creating new cell lines, sacrifices must made to achieve medical advances.
Scientists are finding alternate techniques of obtaining embryonic stem cells by extraction, which does not destroy the embryo or involve cloning. Some scientists believe that because embryos are capable of developing and growing, they are human beings and should have the same rights as we do (Fukuyama A. 18). Nevertheless, embryos are only “part” of the human species and are not really humans at all, only small masses of cells. Embryonic stem cell research is believed to be unnecessary, the benefits of the research are a long way off, and that adult stem cells are proving to be a viable alternative (Fukuyama A.18).
Adult stem cells are multipotent, stem cells that can produce closely related cell types; while embryonic stem cells are pluripotent, allowing them to grow into any cell type and making them easier to use. And, with further funding and more support, embryonic stem cell therapies may become reality in only a few years. The benefits of embryonic stem cell research far outweigh those of adult stem cells and the embryonic stem cells will lead to medical breakthroughs more quickly. The main benefit is to gain the ability to duplicate parts of your body, such as arms, legs, heart, spinal cord, etc.
(“Stem Cell Information”). This would drastically change the world of medicine. Any time someone had to get a lung transplanted there would be no need to find a donor; and once the lung was transplanted, the patient would not have to receive drugs afterwards, because his immune system would automatically accept the lung. Also, organs that cannot possibly be donated and accepted in a new body, like spinal tissue, could be duplicated. This means if an individual was paralyzed, hers or his spinal tissue could be duplicated by stem cells and then transplanted.
In addition, it may become possible, with embryonic stem cells, to generate healthy heart muscle cells in the laboratory and then transplant those cells into patients with chronic heart disease. Through the use of embryonic stem cells, brain cells and many other cells can be cultured and then transplanted into a patient to cure Alzheimer’s disease and other brain and heart related diseases (Morneault et al. 1). A person diagnosed with diabetes, a disease in which a person is unable to produce insulin, can have cells cultured to form insulin producing cells and have them transplanted.
Because of the limited number of cells adult stem cells are able to produce; these diseases would be unable to be cured through their use. Stem cells could also be used to test new drugs. With this achievement scientists could be able to cure cancer and many other diseases. This would reduce the view of cancer as a fatal disease, to something that can be overcome, such as a common cold. Patients would no longer have to pay the enormous expenses for getting chemo therapy and other past treatments for cancer. Finally, embryonic stem cells could be used to develop new methods for genetic engineering.
This would lead to the complete elimination of disease as we know it. Scientists would be able to genetically modify DNA so that genes that cause cancer and other diseases would no longer exist. This may also lead to longer living and healthier lives. Although, many opponents would believe that this might lead to a race of super humans, but this is unlikely. But, in the end, the outcome of stem cell research will significantly change the lives of countless people. The scientific and medical opportunities stem cell research can bring to society are inevitable.
While throughout the world in laboratories, scientists develop new revolutionary options of embryo research, broadening its practical applications, the public and political debate on this issue goes on. Directions can change, and society indeed should discuss the ethical questions in order to expand consideration of the possible options. In regard to scientific and ethical viability of stem cell research, society should be aware that medicine does not conduct research on fully developed, living human beings that deliberately kills them even though such research is possible.
The core idea of stem cell research is to resolve health problems of existing living beings, whose lives are at stake. Stem cell research does not contain any “science in the name of science” idea. It has specific and noble goal, and the necessity of the research will become evident with the further progression of human diseases and health needs.
Works Cited
Anonymous. “Ethical Guidelines for Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research”. Kennedy Institute of Ethics Journal. Mar 2005. Vol. 14, Iss. 1; p. 47 Fukuyama, Francis. “Big Science, Big Giveaway” Wall Street Journal (Eastern edition). Oct 25, 2004.