Embroyic Stem Cell Research

Stem cell research is a topic that affects human beings from all walks of society. To first understand the debate,

one must understand what stem cell research entails. Modern scientists are researching ways to use stem cells to repair

cellular defects. In stem cell research, researchers are able to evaluate how cells work and use stem cells to mimic those

actions. The matter of stem cell research is not a Republican or Democratic issue nor is it a Christian or Atheist issue.

Both sides would agree that stem cell replacement therapy is a issue of progression in modern medicine. One that every human

being has a personal stake in. While certain forms of stem research are accepted by most, embryonic stem cell research has sparked

a high level of discord and controversy. Embryonic Stem Cell Research is a form of cell replacement therapy that has scientist hopeful

and pro-life advocates enraged. This new form of science also have politicians scrambling to be on the right side of ethics. In 2001,

President Bush authorized funds for using the existing embryonic stem cells in research. However, he refused to allow harvesting of

embryonic stem cell by federal agencies and banned the further use of federal dollars for research involving embryonic stem cells

(President Discusses Stem Cell Research, 2001). In this paper, we will discuss the different arguments for and against embryonic stem

cell research, as well as, my personal viewpoint.

Why use embryonic stem cells? According to the National Institute of Health (NIH), Embryonic stem cells and adult stem cell research

provide scientists information on the working of the human cell. This �know how’ may lead scientists to find ways to correct different

birth defects and other diseases that are caused because of cell defects. One of the greatest advantages that embryonic stem cells have

over adult stem cells is they are pluripotent. This means that embryonic stem cells research can be used to harvest healthy cells that

can be programmed to work in a variety of ways throughout the human body. Adult stem cells are multipotent and are limited in their use.

In addition to being pluripotent, embryonic stem cells are also more abundant than those found in adult stem cells and are easier to grow

in a laboratory. This is vitally important because numerous stem cells are needed in stem cell replacement therapy and scientist must be

able to maintain the cells in laboratories (NIH, 2007).

Moreover, an argument can be made for embryonic stem cell research on an ethical basis. Is it fair to allow someone to suffer and die

if a cure can be found using embryonic stem cells? Nancy Regan, Michael J. Fox and a host of others would say no. In 2004, Former President

Ronald Regan died from Alzheimer’s Disease. His widow Nancy Regan, witnessing the disease first hand, then took up the cause of harvesting

embryonic stem cells in the efforts to provide cures for different diseases (Nancy Reagan Plea on Stem Cells, 2004). These supporters of

stem cell research believe that embryonic stem cells may provided scientist with the �know how’ to cure diseases like Parkinson's and

Alzheimer's diseases, spinal cord injury, stroke, burns, heart disease, diabetes, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

While proponents for embryonic stem cell research will use ethics as a reason to argue for it’s use, those who oppose embryonic stem

cell research will argue the same. Some opponents of embryonic stem cell research have a moral belief that life starts at conception.

Because scientist use the human embryo blastocyst to harvest approximately 30 cells destroying the embryo, most opponents view the harvesting

of embryonic stem cells for cell replacement therapy as a murderous act and argue that they are other more humane ways to harvest

stem cells (Killing Human Embryos, 2007). Opponents argue that there are other avenues to harvest stem cells. They view this additional

avenues to be more humane and respecting of human life.

One way that the opponents of embryonic stem cells support is scientist using adult stem cells from the actual patient. In this process the

cells will be taken and grown in a laboratory. The cells will then be multiplied in a laboratory and reused in the patient. Those that support

this form of stem cell replacement therapy points to the fact that the person’s body is less likely reject these cells.