The Debate Concerning Embryonic Stem Cell Research Essay

One of the most heated political battles in the United States in recent years has been over the morality of embryonic stem cell research. The embryonic stem cell debate has polarized the country into those who argue that such research holds promises of ending a great deal of human suffering and others who condemn such research as involving the abortion of a potential human life. If any answer to the ethical debate surrounding this particular aspect of stem cell research exists, it is a hazy one at best. The question facing many scientists and policymakers involved in embryonic stem cell research is, which is more valuable – the life of a human suffering from a potentially fatal illness or injury, or the life of human at one week of†¦show more content†¦In the second process, scientists solely manipulate the culture in which the embryonic cells are grown or directly alter the genetic content of the cells. Herein lies the heart of the ethical debate over the morality of destroying a human embryo in order to derive embryonic stem cells for treatment. Those in support of embryonic stem cell research claim that the week-old blastocysts from which embryonic stem cells are derived are merely a cluster of cells and thus do not constitute a human being. Because these cells are â€Å"not human,† the embryos should not be afforded the same human rights as are granted to other more advanced stages of cell growth. Many liberals and conservatives alike argue that the potential benefits far outweigh the moral concerns, and for this reason, embryonic stem cell research should be pursued. President Obama issued an executive order revoking President Bush’s previous order that limited funding of research involving human embryonic stem cells for its violation of human rights: Research involving human embryonic stem cells and human non-embryonic stem cells has the potential to lead to better understanding and treatment of many disabling diseases and conditions. Advances over the past decade in this promising scientific field have been encouraging, leading to broad agreement in the scientific community that the full range of promising stem cell research should be supported by Federal funds. (White House) The President’s executive orderShow MoreRelatedEssay about Pros and Cons of Embryonic Stem Cell Research1261 Words   |  6 Pagesagainst Embryonic Stem Cell research mainly because they consider it unethical to use aborted fetuses for research. The two main issues concerning the research are the ethics (Cons) and the benefits (Pros). In any scientific case, ethics must always be considered. But the use of fetuses is something that is of the utmost importance. The costs are generally measured based off of people’s feelings, morals, and knowledge about the subject up for debate. The use of aborted fetuses for stem cell researchRead MoreStem Cells : Justification Of Utilization Of Stem Cell1696 Words   |  7 Pages9-1 19 February 2016 Stem Cells: Justification of Utilization of Stem Cells in Injuries/Paralysis Habitually, the majority of significant scientific discoveries that have occurred over the course of human history have been the center of fierce debate and controversy for one reason or another. From radical perspectives such as the Earth’s orbital around the sun to the theory that the planet isn’t geographically flat, scientists are often at the focal point of ethical debates. In regards to currentRead MoreA Research Study On Stem Cell Research1307 Words   |  6 PagesStem cell research is a controversial, yet fascinating field of study. The examination of stem cells has captivated political, scientific, and public interest for many decades. Therefore, numerous scientific research studies have been done to determine the exact purpose of stem cells, as well as their beneficial properties. Stem cells have been noted as powerful deterrents when studying and fighting against disease. It is understood that almost every cell in a person’s body has one main function Read More Embryonic Wars Essay1634 Words   |  7 Pagesto clarify and summarise the controversial debate concerning the ethical decency of embryonic cloning for therapeutic purposes. This is the form of cloning that is supposedly beneficial to a barrage of medical applications. We will identify the key opposing ethical perspectives such as those of the justification of embryonic research based on the normative theory of consequentialism. This paper will also probe into the relatively brief history of the debate while gauging the particular stumbling blocksRead MoreEssay Problems with Embryonic Stem-Cell Research1416 Words   |  6 PagesRecently in the scientific world, the field of embryonic stem cell research has become a popular topic and has been the subject for many heated debates. Experts in the field of stem cell research promise that this will be the future of medicine; that stem cells will be the cure to all the debilitating diseases and afflictions of today, such as Alz heimer’s disease, heart disease, cancer and nerve damage. The truth about embryonic stem cell research is that it is not as hopeful and as revolutionaryRead MoreEmbryo Based Stem Cell Research1171 Words   |  5 PagesEmbryo-based stem cell research The controversy concerning the ethical dilemma related to stem cell research rages on. One particular basis of this controversy emanates from the fact that embryonic stem cells research derives its stem cells from destroyed embryos. Stem cells are cells that are yet to be specialized into specific tissue that serves specific function in the organism. Some radical scientists have labeled these cells the building blocks of future medical and biotechnical research becauseRead MoreStem Cell Research, Ethics And Policy Essay2393 Words   |  10 PagesIntroduction Stem cell research and engineering is a widely disputed topic that often divides people in science, ethics, and religion. In order to fully understand the controversy surrounding this area of scientific research and discovery, one must be informed as to what stem cells are. In the article, â€Å"Human Embryonic Stem Cells: Research, Ethics and Policy†, stem cells are described as â€Å"primitive cells with the capacity to divide and give rise to more identical stem cells or to specialize andRead MoreEmbryonic Stem Cells Pros And Cons1664 Words   |  7 Pagesyears, researchers have been studying the miraculous potential of human embryonic stem cells. Human embryonic stem cells, also known as hESC, have the ability to develop into any kind of specialized cells in the human body, ranging from as simple as a skin cell to as complex as a neuron. This â€Å"miracle cure,† however, comes with a great cost; the stem cells have to be extracted from a human embryo, completely destroying it. Research institutions often obtain embryos either from abortion clinics or, mostRead MorePros And Cons Of Stem Cell Research1003 Words   |  5 PagesFoundations Ethics Stem Cell Research Stem Cell Research Explorable.com 1.6M reads 32 Comments Printer-friendly versionSend by emailPDF version Pros And Cons in Research The debate of the pros and cons of stem cell research clearly illustrate the difficult ethics evaluations researchers sometimes must do. All scientists must consider whether the positive effects from their research are likely to be significantly higher than the negative effects. What are Stem Cells? Stem Cells are crucial to developRead MoreEssay about Human Embryo Research 1019 Words   |  5 Pagesthey are equal. The same law should be enforced concerning human embryonic stem cell research. Dr. James A. Thomson discovered stem cells in 1998 and they’ve intrigued scientist ever since. The stem cells themselves are derived from a three to four day old cluster of cells called a blastocyst and they are so coveted because they are pluripotent, meaning they can differentiate into any type of cell in the human body. Although embryonic stem cells show amazing potential to cure various disease such