As US president Barack Obama ended ban on funding for human embryonic stem cell research earlier this morning, many ordinary people who don’t happen to be scientists are asking about the pros and cons of said stem cell research. So without further discussion on how impressive Barack Obama looked during the ceremony in the East Room of the White House when he was signing the document, let’s take a look at what everyone wants to know:
Introduction to Stem Cells
Whole big boo hoo around the stem cell research started in 1998 with two scientists who independently from each other successfully separated stem cells from human embryos. This was a big scientific break though which brought lots of hope for patients with certain conditions, such as diabetes or the Parkinson’s disease, but at the same time raised big eyebrows as it involved merciless killing of defenceless human beings while they are more vulnerable than ever.
What is stem cell research?
Stem cells are basic cells of a human organism which have predispositions to turn into any of 210 kinds of tissues the human body is made of. When an embryo is at its beginnings, the stem cells it consists of can virtually develop into any cell or tissue. Older embryos are partially developed, so their stem cells are only capable of developing into some of cells or tissues.
Even though very latest progress in stem cell research allows for more differentiated stem cells to get reverted into their original form allowing them to develop into a tissue they were not preprogrammed to turn into.
Stem Cell Research Pros:
Application of stem cell research could aid in curing debilitating diseases, such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, stroke, diabetes, bone diseases, spinal cord injuries, etc. It would also allow us to test pharmaceutical products directly on cells they are developed for – human cells, instead of on animals.
Stem Cell Research Cons:
While scientists generally agree that for as long as stem cells are derived from cels of volunteering adults, there are no ethical aspects involved. The ethical issues are brought up when stem cells are derived from embryos or aborted fetuses. The biggest con of stem cell research is that it’s anti human.
“Pro stem cell research” people argue that it is legally and morally justifiable to kill few in order to save many. Unlike stem cells from adults, the ones from embryos and aborted fetuses have much better predispositions to develop into different kinds of tissues.
“Pro life” people argue that stem cell research targets the most vulnerable of all human beings – embryos – who are destroyed in the process of extracting the stem cells out of their bodies for research. According to pro lifers, it is never acceptable to kill a human being, no matter the potential benefits. And since these embryos can’t defend themselves nor voice their opinions, we must. The argument is that they shouldn’t be easy victims of research just because they can’t fight for themselves.
Fact be told, similar type of research has been performed by Nazis in concentration camps or by Japanese scientists in Unit 731. And if killing for the greater good is justified, then why not kill terminally ill patients or inmates on death row?
This is a brief rundown of stem cell research pros and cons. By signing the document, Barack Obama today sealed the faith of potentially thousands of unborn children. He truly continues on his way to being the bloodiest president in the history of the world.
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This is a horribly biased article!!!
There are more pros than cons for stem cell research!!!
hey you r a fool
THIS IS SO GOOD WHAT BARACK OBAMA DID I WOULD OF DID THE SAME THING.
This is one of the worse decision this new president made…how can you agree with this? Does life have no meaning anymore? What are we doing here? From day one it is a human being, so where are our values?
I agree with obamas desicion 100% i am not christian or do i consider myself any other faith but useing human embrotic cells unless thier not making them for the purpose of destroying them i dont see the ethical issue the abored fetus that is going to be discared of anyway can be made use of same with female eggs that would normally e discarded can now be put to use. and i agree with James above this article is horriblely bias
Stem cells can also come from the umbilical cords and extraction of these cells does not hurt the baby. Therefore, we should all support research in stem cells.
This article is so bias. Stem cell research can save millions of lives. It can cure diseases and help the sick. Stem cells can be obtained by umbilical cords and other methods. Whether if it’s killing an “individual” is defined by the eye of the beholder.
“And if killing for the greater good is justified, then why not kill terminally ill patients or inmates on death row?” I do not believe these are the same things here.
I think it is more “evil” to prevent finding cures for the suffering millions and the future generation of millions who will suffer as well.
this whole article is worthless we dont need to destroy “life” any more we can turn adult skin cells into embrionic stem cells!!!!
concentrate your energy on the actual IVF clinics where the embryos are created. this is hypocritical, because the labs aren’t the problem, the clinics are. If you really want to stop the destruction of embryos that’s where you need to go; the source of it all.
This is horribly biased. All I want to know is does it really kill embroys or have they found alternative ways because another website said something else.
Fun fact, the United States does not use the stem-cells of aborted fetuses, it is a common misconception. In reality labs use leftover embryos from IVF implantations that would have gone into medical waste if they were not used for research.
I liked this article.Strong words, real arguments. I think the same.
For the record, according to the National Human Genome Research Institute, it would take approximately 1.5 billion eggs to cure an individual (this varies by disease). So, for all of you who believe that stem cell research will save millions, is horribly mistaken.
Progress in science has always been hindered by skeptics.
I am a prolifer and if research helps humanity than is a prolife measure.