Abstract
Embryonic Stem Cell research deals with scientific experimentation of human and some animal embryonic stem cells. This research has gotten a large amount press dealing with religious, moral, and ethical standpoints. Those who support this research understand the possibilities of treatments and cures for genetic diseases. Embryonic Stem Cell research has received attention in negative and positive lights and has been a topic that required voting and public opinion. This research has again been permitted and there are now many different hospitals and treatment centers using newly found ways for treating and still researching in possible future cures. It is up to you, the reader, to form your own opinion based on past and current research on this topic and speak up for what you believe and make a difference in the medical world.
How do you feel about using Embryonic Stem Cells to be used in scientific research to cure and treat genetic diseases and treat patients with spinal cord problems? An Embryonic Stem Cell is a mammalian fetus around the age of five days old and contains pluripotent cells. These cells can form into any other cell an infinite time. Scientists believe that through using the cells from embryos it is possible to cure some genetic diseases. Many people, around the nation, see this scientific research method as unethical and the “murder” of a human child whereas others hold these scientists on the highest pedestal. The issue stem cell research reached the United States in the 1960s when extracting adult human bone marrow cells. It wasn’t until 1998 when a scientist was able to isolate the stem cell and discover the pluripotent cells’ true potential.
Brief Explanation and Background
Embryonic stem cell (ESC) research is still in its “infancy” and is not fully understood in our society which may lead to the negative views (2001, National Research Council). If people were to engage themselves into understanding and being well educated in ESC research, it may be better accepted in the U.S. and around the world. The potential of the ESCs treatment was discovered in 1998 by James Thomson from the University of Wisconsin-Madison by creating the first culture of the cells (2001, National Research Council). Certain degenerative diseases that could possibly be treated by ESCs vary from birth defects, cardiovascular diseases, cancers and Alzheimer’s. If people were able to see the possible outcomes for suffering patients with a very limited treatment and cure options they would be more supportive of the research and future treatment.
Current and Possible of Uses of Embryonic Stem Cells
There are currently a number of uses of ESCs in the treatment, and possible cure, of genetic diseases one being AMD. AMD is a retinal genetic disease and is currently the leading cause of blindness in elderly people in the western world (2008, Shi, Clegg). Through stem cell research, scientists may have discovered a way to treat this disease by reproducing the RPE (Retinal Pigment Epithelium) cells, also damaged from AMD, from mouse, primate, and human embryonic stem cells.
Shi and Clegg discuss how severely blindness can affect a person’s life at a later age and how the shock of losing an essential sense negatively affects an elderly person’s life. The authors bring up the idea that becoming blind at such an elevated age would not only hurt the sufferer but the family and close friends as well.
Government Involvement
When the government showed a strong interest on this topic, President George W. Bush was in office. Bush had strong opposition opinions towards stem cell research and stalled all current testing and research. Since Obama has been president, he has filled his promise to overthrow Bush’s law and allow the research to continue. President Obama went around the Dicky-Warner amendment that “forbids the use of federal money to make stem cells which requires destruction of human embryos,” and now allows taxpayer’s money to fund researchers with extremely large quantities of money to make use of stem cells derived from human embryos (2009, Jim).
In 2007, a bill was passed stating that $5 billion dollars would be given to ESC research. This form of the research was trying to be done in a new way where the scientists would be “using cells from embryos that have ‘died naturally’ and research using altered nuclear transfer,” ( 2007). The government also planned in creating the HOPE Act which would create a board who would “oversee research and create ethical and legal guidelines,” (2007). The government has been hands on with ESC research and wants to make it ethical and allow the research to continue. With the support from the government to continue, cures diseases and potential treatments will be created for genetic diseases.
Morality
Most people against ESC research claim that the practice is immoral. These people believe that the embryo used, and destroyed, in the research is a human being and capable of feeling and understanding pain. This quote, “Direct moral standing ensures that the life and well being of each member matters in a special way: members of the moral community are assured protection from, among other things, cruelty, mistreatment, neglect, destruction, and exploita- tion,” shows that the idea of a community entails the protection of all members. (2004, Almeida, Brannigan, Cooley, Dodds, Heller, McCartney, Werner).
Morality issues in abortion and in vitro fertilization (IVF) have also been connected to ESC research and uses. Those practices are another topic on their own and in different ways connect and separate from ESC research.
One major morality issue in the way people come into contact with these cells. The first person to have obtained the ESC cells claimed he received them from left overs from IVF which caused an uproar from those opposed to these procedures. Some have come up with the terms of “derivation” and “use” to draw the line of those cells “leftover” and the ones created especially for the research (2004, Almeida, Brannigan, Cooley, Dodds, Heller, McCartney, Werner).
Many see the cells as already human entities and others see it as just a ball of cells not yet developing the right to humanity. These people would agree with this statement, “A developing human embryo may be considered to have a rational soul, and thus to be a person,” further pushing the idea that the embryos are alive and deserve human rights applied to newborn babies and living humans (2006, Eberl). These opinions vary immensely throughout the world depending on people’s spirituality, political, ethical and moral standings combined. If people were to see all the sides of this issue it could possibly change all medical and scientific developments.
Religion and Embryonic Stem Cell Research
Different churches of different religions have piped up their opinions and let their followers know exactly where they stand on ESC research. Much of their opinions are in the negative and want to put an end to the research. Their efforts have been acknowledged but in Obama’s case, are not enough to cease the research.
Religious people view the research as murder and even “playing God” because the scientists are determining what embryos live and die (2003, Huyssteen). Those in the religious fields look deeper into the subject of ESC research and fear that humans will manipulate and create their own cells allowing children to “enter the world as objects” (2003, van Huyssteen). The philosopher, van Huyssteen, writes that religious and moral concerns are more towards the idea of what could possibly happen in the future with the advanced knowledge of human genetics. Another quote from van Huyssteen states, “So long as these therapies are safe, there is nothing inherently wrong in deploying them,” showing that religious leaders aren’t against the actual research and treatment but what humans might do next.
Conclusion
What will happen next in the world of bioethics? Will there be more laws banning and then reinstating the research to continue? People around the world need to be informed on every aspect of this hot topic and form their own opinions on what should be done with this research. Embryonic Stem Cell research has become a problem in the sense that most people are not sure of what it is along with the pros and cons. Hopefully, as time goes on, people will become more educated in the subject and hold onto their strong informed opinions.
This image represents the idea that embryonic cells are human babies and that it is wrong to use them in ESC research.
This image shows the extraction of stem cells and gives the topic a stronger “scientific” light.
Bibliography
Almeida, Michael J., Brannigan, Michael C., Cooley, Dennis R,. Dodds, Susan, Heller, Jan C., James J. McCartney, Richard Werner (2004). Stem Cell Research. Retrieved from
Eberl, Jason T (2006). Thomistic principles and bioethics. Retrieved from
Jim (2009, December 3). Taxpayer Dollars Encourage Human Embryo Destruction. Renovo Media. Retrieved from:
National Research Council (U.S). Committee on the Biological and Biomedical Applications of Stem Cell Research. Stem cells and the future of regenerative medicine [electronic resource] / Committee on the Biological and Biomedical Applications of Stem Cell Research, Board on Life Sciences National Research Council, Board on Neuroscience and Behavioral Health. Institute of Medicine. Retrieved from
Shi, Yanhong, Clegg, Dennis O (2008). Stem cell research and therapeutics. Retrieved from
Verde van Huyssteen, J.Wentzel (2003). Encyclopedia of science and religion. Retrieved from
- Kaiser Daily Women's Health Policy: National Politics & Policy | Sen. Coleman Introduces Legislation To Fund Stem Cell Research Using Altered Nuclear Transfer, Embryos That Have 'Died Naturally'. Retrieved from:
