Ethical Issues of Stem Cell Research

Essay by Medasst3University, Bachelor'sA+, February 2010

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Research of stem cells itself is not a controversial, or an ethical issue. Scientists have used stem cells from Bone marrow in treating lymphoma for years. Today the ethical issue is the use of embryo cells for replication human cells. But what exactly is stem cell research, and how can it benefit humankind? What are the reasons people are so against this kind of research? No matter what side one stands on with this issue, one cannot deny the facts. That fact is that, stem cell research, with an embryonic cell, does kill a human embryo.

Present ClimateThis influential property has launched stem cell in to the forefront of an innovation that offers a change in the way a doctor treats a degenerative disease. The debate of embryonic cell research has become heated between those who support, and those who oppose this research. Stem cell research has become an ethical issue between the two sides.

The ethical issue is in the process of isolating a human embryo stem cell from the blastocysts, which causes the embryo to die (Sandhyarani, 2009). The number of people who could benefit from stem cell development is endless. Yet many people, in particular those with moral and religious concern, question the use of embryo's for research.

Perceived dilemmasThe stem cell research dilemma is not one that will quickly resolve, especially since scientists do not know the future implications in this type of cell research. The hope is the advantages will far outweigh that of the disadvantages. Humans have the most valuable cell, the embryonic cell. These cells are the beginning stages of development, serving as starter cells that will be used to develop brain, skin, organ, and bone tissue (Irish Times, n.d., 2009). Collecting these cells for research, however, involves the obliteration of embryos, something...