Stem Cell Research Scientific Debate vs. Ethical Debate

StemCell Research: Scientific Debate vs. Ethical Debate

StemCell Research: Scientific Debate vs. Ethical Debate

Forseveral decades now, doctors have been using the stem cell therapywhen performing bone marrow transplants. There are various types ofstem cells: embryonic, amniotic, induced pluripotent, and adult stemcells. In 1998, doctors learned that it is possible to remove stemcells from the human embryo and this triggered both controversy andexcitement. The excitement was brought by the huge potential thisdiscovery would have in the treatment of the various human diseases.On the other hand, the controversy surrounding this discovery hasbeen the moral implications of destroying human embryos (Hyun,2011).This paper will discuss the scientific and ethical debates involvingthe stem cell research.

Withinthe scientific realm, there are several lingering questions. Forexample, scientists are concerned about the feasibility of stem cellsin the treatment of various conditions that have been plaguing thehuman race. At the moment, scientists believe that stem cells areundifferentiated, which means they are not committed to becoming anyspecific tissue. Consequently, researchers are considering promptingthe stem cells into becoming specific tissues such as the lung(Hyun, 2011).Currently, scientists are using embryonic stem cells from embryosproduced through in vitro fertilization, but not utilized for thesame purpose. Also, researchers are using pluripotent stem cellswithout destroying the human embryos. However, scientists areengaged in a heated debate over the effectiveness of the use ofalternative sources of pluripotent stem cells(Hyun, 2011).Additionally, there is a scientific debate over the safety andefficacy of stem cells in the treatment of the various humandiseases. For example, antilogous stem cells obtained from adiposetissues were injected intravitreally into the ears of individualssuffering from muscular degeneration. The treatment resulted in theworsening of the vision of three people while two people ended upbeing legally blind(Marks, et al., 2016).

Theethical debate on the issue of stem cells revolves around theargument that the use of human embryonic stem cells results in thedestruction of the fetus. This has raised issues such as, whatrestrictions should be placed on scientific studies using embryonicstem cells. The debate over stem cell also involves the ethicalquestion, at what point does life begin? Additionally, should humanbeings be allowed to destroy an embryo as a result of its ability tocure numerous ailments? Religion has shaped much of the debateinvolving the use of embryonic stem cells. Most Christians considerevery life sacred regardless of whether it involves an embryo or anadult person. As such, the opponents of embryonic stem cells arguethat life begins at conception. Besides, these people claim thathuman embryos have the same rights as the adult persons. Forinstance, they have the right not to be killed or exploited formedical reasons(Hyun, 2011).However, some religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism and Islam do notaccord a moral standing to a fetus during its early stages ofdevelopment. On the other hand, the proponents of the use of theembryonic stem cells argue that a human embryo is merely a clump ofcells which are not any different from other forms of tissues(Hyun, 2011).

Inconclusion, the use of stem cell technology dates back severaldecades ago. Scientists perceive the human embryonic stem cells ashaving the highest value in the treatment of the various diseasessince they are highly pluripotent, which means that they can developinto any type of tissue. However, in the scientific front,researchers are still grappling with the question of the feasibilityof the use of stem cells in the treatment of human diseases. On theother hand, in the ethical front, there are concerns that the use ofhuman embryonic stem cells will perpetrate the murder of embryos.This point of view is based on some religions such as Christianitythat view human life as beginning at conception. On the other hand,some religions such as Buddhism and Islam do not oppose the use ofhuman embryo since they do not accord moral standing to fetuses.

References

Hyun,I. (2011). The bioethics of stem cell research and therapy.&nbspTheJournal of clinical investigation,&nbsp120(1),71-75.

Marks,P. W., Witten, C. M., &amp Califf, R. M. (2016). Clarifyingstem-cell therapy’s benefits and risks.&nbspNewEngland Journal of Medicine3(1).