Stem Cell Research Pros and Cons
Monday, March 9th, 2009
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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