It seems controversy and stem cell research are two sides of the same coin. From its early beginning, the religious and moral leaders are always against stem cell , especially embryonic stem cells research.
Critics claim that creating human embryos solely for the purpose of producing stem cells is unethical on many levels; this issue of morals and researches’ responsibility is one that has been disputed since the inception of stem cell research. The process of creating a human life, purposefully, without the intent of fulfilling said life, is inhumane.This is an inappropriate use of scientific skill. Producing embryonic stem cells exclusively for research treats human life as a commodity that can just be massed produced.
For worse, the Presidential candidate, John McCain, said at a Science Debate,
“While I support federal funding for embryonic stem cell research, I believe clear lines should be drawn that reflect a refusal to sacrifice moral values and ethical principles for the sake of scientific.”
McCain and others with similar viewpoints agree while stem cell research is beneficial, curing and treating afflictions like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, diabetes and some heart diseases, it should be executed in a moralistic way.
On the other side, researchers and stem cell supporters supports the research for its endless medical purpose. It is helpful for any fatal disease.
To really understand the controversy behind stem cell research, we have to first look into the methods of conducting the research. Arguments against stem cell research often revolve around the techniques and processes being used. Currently, in the process of human embryonic stem cell use, a human embryo is destroyed. Those against the research claim the embryo is technically a human life and should be protected, while others say the process of stem cell research devalues human life.Developments are being made that could result in a new process that would manipulate adult stem cells, which would allow for the creation of stem cells without killing an embryo. There are also dozens of different stem cells that would allow the research to be done without getting into life/death aspects.
As for the argument that stem cell research devalues human life, researchers strongly disagree. Stem cell research actually does the complete opposite by offering the potential to increase the value of life. The ultimate goal of this research is to one day find a cure for devastating diseases such as leukemia and Parkinson’s and I’d say that considerably increases the value of life for many people and families affected by those diseases.
Adult and cord cells are both excellent methods of conducting stem cell research without putting an embryo’s life in jeopardy. Adult cells can be taken from bone marrow or the peripheral system. While extracting bone marrow can be a painful process, obtaining stem cells from the peripheral system takes longer and may not work in a case where time is of the essence.
Cells extracted from an umbilical cord are a great resource if the family plans ahead to have the umbilical cord saved and frozen in a cryogenic cell bank for future use by the patient, or the patient’s mother and father. The umbilical cord is the richest source of cells and can be extracted without pain.
President Bush is even for stem cell research in pre-existing stem cell lines and established the Stem Cell Research Act of 2001, an act that is effective today. Bush also said the research should only be conducted from extra embryos created solely for reproductive purposes.
Researchers think the act is a fair compromise that allows science to develop these new and exciting potential cures for awful diseases, while keeping the sanctity of human life in mind and offering protection to embryos. Stem cell research could one day save your life, or the life of someone you love, but we have to give science a chance to do that.
Source: thenews.org
