From the beginning of human existence, ideal health persistently remains important for a productive life. As medical discoveries and breakthroughs increase through time, so does human health, making life expectancy profusely high. Stem cell research, a recent field, explores and scrutinises non-specialised cells that lengthen human life. It is a topic that causes great opposition amongst people with different viewpoints. Many believe stem cell research to be immoral and inhumane, while others view it as a medical breakthrough capable of saving many lives. Stem cells are non-specialised cells that have the potential to differentiate into specified cells in the body including blood, cardiac muscle and nerve cells. These undifferentiated …show more content…
Scientists obtain stem cells from three different sources: embryos, umbilical cord and adults. The most controversial source is an embryonic stem cell that exists in a three to five day old embryo (blastocyst). A blastocyst is a ball-like structure containing a cluster of undifferentiated cells that form when an ovum is fertilized. Blastocysts are often generated by in vitro fertilization (IVF) for implantation in infertile women, thereby allowing them to get pregnant. Blastocysts and aborted fetuses have then been used to create embryonic stem cell lines. The second source, umbilical cord, is considered the richest source of stem cells. Cord blood from a newborn baby contains blood cells that can be used immediately or frozen for later use. The newest discovered source is adult stem cells, or induced pluripotent cells (iPS). These can be derived from bone marrowlood cells, muscle, brain and adipose tissues. Blood cells can be used as stem cells by inducing the cells back into un-programmed cells to form other somatic cells of the body.
When discussing stem cell research, particularly on embryonic stem cells, there are two moral principles that must be taken into consideration: the moral responsibility to prevent and alleviate suffering or the moral responsibility to respect the value of human life. However, it is impossible to respect both moral principles as one invalidates the
There are two different types of stem cells; unlimited and limited. Unlimited stem cells come from embryos and are referred to as embryonic stem cells (ES Cells), these cells are more medically valuable than limited stem cells. They are referred to as unlimited stem cells because they have the ability to develop into any type of cell of tissue in the human body. Limited stem cells come from adult bone marrow or umbilical cord blood cells. Limited stem cells are more rare because they are harder to obtain and can only be found in some developed
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Embryonic stem cell research is important for further development in the medical field. It strongly supports the idea that every life has value, an idea known as human dignity. Human beings are created in the image and likeness of God, and thus, are all equal. The idea of radical equality before God leads us to think no less of someone regardless of their physical appearance, religious beliefs, cultural background, or anything else. It is through virtues such as charity, mercy, and justice that our human dignity is preserved. By living through these virtues and realizing how to effectively instill them within us, we are able to live a virtuous life. This paper argues that although issues involving embryonic stem cell research are controversial, research in this area is typically permissible for further development in the medical field when looking to preserve human dignity. In order to defend this thesis, this paper will be structured into three sections as followed: the description of embryonic stem cell research, the development of a moral lens, and the moral argument and analysis of this case.
Zubin Master and G. Crozier in “ The Ethics Of Moral Compromise For Stem Cell Research Policy” try to explain, and inform anyone that is interested in knowing more about the stem cell research, and the ethics involved in that subject. The main idea of this Journal Article is to analyze some of the scientific proposals of using stem cells, and which methods are more ethically corrects for the research. In the article, Zubin and Crozier talk about new techniques that can derive stem cells without having to destroy embryos. One of those techniques are to “use a non-human animal source of ova or ova created from the differentiation of human embryonic stem cells”(53), so the researchers can keep doing experiments without having to use humans embryos,
For as long as humans exist, optimal health continues to remain vital for a productive life. As new medical discoveries increase through generations, humans become healthier, therefore, their life expectancy rises. Stem cell research, a relatively new field, investigates to improve and lengthen human life. The possibility of stem cells to develop prospering health makes them beneficial to the human race.
A brief introduction to stem cells; Stem cells are cells that are undifferentiated, or, simply put, a cell that has not yet been given a job, such as cells that create molecules. In recent years, scientists have discovered the potency that stem cells contain, due to their versatility. For example, stem cells could be studied and used to cure a man of liver disease, a child’s handicap, a woman’s breast cancer, etc…, etc…. One may now be asking themselves? “That’s great… then why are so many people against stem cell research? What could possibly be the drawback? “. You see, stem cells are acquired by human embryos, or, in Layman’s Terms, unborn fetuses. Take for
Throughout the course of history, healthcare advancements have been some of the most important events to happen to the human race. Whether it was the invention of the first stethoscope or the first vaccine for polio, these findings have helped lengthen and improve human life, as well as aid scientists in better understanding humans as a species. In recent years, embryonic stem cells have been discovered to offer a variety of benefits to many different diseases and disorders. However, despite their amazing potential, the source of these lifesaving cells have brought up the question of ethics and morals in the scientific and medical communities as well as mainstream media. Is stem cell research worth the dangers and moral controversies in
Embryonic Stem cells have led to a very long line of discussion. Whether to see it as immoral not to pursue research or immoral to pursue research, it is nonetheless very difficult to discuss. Questions are uncovered during this debate, for example, Is killing possible life (Embryos) lesser or greater than saving the already living, such as people with incurable diseases? The debate goes deeper and deeper into moral judgment and it doesn't matter whether you are religious or not in this argument because in both cases it is a life. But what if it didn't have to be a life? Further forms of research may be used to help save lives both from people who have incurable diseases and the embryos. If such research can be formed without a moral block, performance of such research should not be delayed. The possibility to save loved ones is incredible, to do so without victimizing women for embryos and killing those embryos, which could possibly behold life, only to maybe
Embryonic stem cells research has challenged the moral ethics within human beings simply because the point at which one is considered a “human,” is still under debate and practically incapable to make a decision upon.
The studying of stem cells is a very controversial issue that has been around since 1998 when the research of the use of embryonic stem cell treatment began. The main issues surrounding the discussion of treating people with life-altering disabilities through the use of these pluripotent cells is the ethicality of the matter and whether or not it is a savage act against a fetus. Many who oppose the use of these stem cells derived from excess embryos use the formerly stated opinion to support their argument, while those who are pro research argue that the destroying of one life could save another. The core complications that arise in studying stem cells lies in many Christian-like ethics and morals, otherwise called Christian bioethics. These are rooted in the modern day controversies arising due to advancements made in biology and medicine, mixed with religious views that argue against it. The conflicting interests of the polar opposites which are scientists and those with religious views have caused many complications along the way to discovering new treatments and cures for diseased cells. This bumpy road which has refrained scientists from making tremendous breakthroughs must smooth itself out, and the only way possible is through coming to an agreement that certain stem cell research should be practiced, such as the IPSC and adult stem cells, and others like the
The transfer of information, often shared through scientific reports and research, puts this topic in a highly international spotlight. Many supporters believe that stem cells will be able to help solve once untreatable diseases or injuries such as spinal cord injuries, skin burns, Parkinson’s disease, and some blood disorders. However, the main argument is if stem cells should be used in finding therapeutic treatments. The use of embryonic stem cells is viewed by many as a moral inconsistency; it is opposed by religious organizations and individuals believing that this research should be abandoned and existing, alternative methods be adapted.
When the topic of stem cell research, and/ or treatment, people generally automatically jump to the conclusion of embryonic stem cells, when in retrospect according to Eurostemcell.org, an organization based website that is dedicated to supplying the public with the latest news and information on stem cells. According to the article there a few different types of stem cells. The first type of stem cell is, embryonic. Embryonic stem cells are grown in a laboratory from embryos cells at an early stage. The second type of stem cell is tissue stem cells. Tissue stem cells are found in all different parts of the body. Lastly the third type of stem cell is, Induced pluripotent stem cell (iPS), or 'reprogrammed' stem cells. IPSC are similar to embryonic stem cells but they are from adult specialized cells.
In a surface examination of the work of Nathaniel Hawthorne, it is quickly evident that no good things come from the wilderness. Therein, the wilderness is often associated with the savages and the devil. In his work The Scarlet Letter, Hester Prynne finds herself exiled by society for having an adulterous affair with the town reverend which brought forth the child known as Pearl. Pearl is quickly established as the child of the wilderness: wild, capricious, and thought by the town to be a demon-child. She represents several entities in the novel just by her being, but when her morality is delved into, much more of the nature of the story can be revealed. Pearl’s role is often overlooked as a formative force in the novel. Some scholars have gone as far as to denounce her as unnecessary to the story’s makeup. Upon close examination, it can be determined that Pearl is indeed a necessary element. In Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter, Pearl presents themes of morality, both personal and cultural, as well as the divide between society and nature, through her interactions with Hester, Reverend Dimmesdale, and the scarlet letter itself.
Amniotic stem cells are found in the amniotic fluid around a child just before it is born (Mayo Clinic Staff). Amniotic stem cells are primarily used for organ regenerations because there is a very rare chance that they will cause an immune system attack. Embryonic stem cells make up an entire embryo as it is developing. Embryonic stem cells, also known as blastocysts, start forming into vital organs, such as the heart and lungs, before the embryo is even a week old ("Stem Cell Information"). Adult stem cells, called somatic stem cells, are found in anyone who is no longer a fetus. They could be found in children and fully grown adults. Adult stem cells, however, are limited to what they can produce. They can only maintain and repair the tissue they are For example, the stem cells in adults can only be found in bone marrow, blood cells and fat cells (Mayo Clinic Staff). Adult stem cells still have the potential to be useful for society. Researchers are trying to alter the genes inside of an adult stem cell to make it more adaptable like an embryonic cell ("Stem cells: What they are and what they do"). These stem cells are called induced pluripotent cells and they cannot be used for curing any diseases because when you change the genetic makeup of something, you cannot always get the predicted outcome, so further research must be
In a world which she defined as ‘social science fiction’, Margaret Atwood brings clarity and life to a situation many would deem unimaginable. Those who immerse themselves in her novel are still able to see it as a dystopian society and thus detach themselves from the text itself. The readers comprehend the apparent loss of freedom and pain that the characters go through and have the knowledge that they exist outside of this story; its happenings will not affect them. This very phenomenon is introduced in The Handmaid’s Tale when the main character recalls a time before the fall of society as they knew it. Regarding the stories in the newspaper, the main character says that “We were the people who were not in the papers. We lived in the