Stem Cell Research Paper #1

It was 1998, when the method of obtaining stem cells from human embryos and growing them in a laboratory was discovered by scientists. These cells being grown were human embryonic stem cells, “…derived from embryos that develop from eggs that have been fertilized in vitro — in an in vitro fertalization clinic—and then donated for research purposes with informed consent of the donors,”(National Institutes of Health, 12, Nov. 2012).These embryos are created for reproductive purposes. Stem Cells have the remarkable potential to develop into many different cell types in the body, fundamentally being the source of all external/ internal organs and tissues. When a stem cell divides, this new cell can either remain a stem cell or become another specialized type of cell, such as: a brain cell, red blood cell, or a muscle cell Although stem cells are unspecialized cells, sometimes after a long period of inactivity, they’re able to renew themselves through cell division.
Due to the limitless benefits to medicine and human health, many Americans support stem cell research, considering this treatment as a workable option to treat many injuries, diseases, and malfunctions. This research offers a great amount of hope for the advancement of medicine, because stem cells can grow into any kind of cell, that can replace damaged neural cells in the brain and spinal cord. Pro-choicers reject the care of a pre-embryo, and suppose that even though an embryo can develop into a person, it is not a person by any means, for it only has a few undifferentiated cells. An embryo “has no brain, sensory organs, ability to think, memory, awareness of its surroundings, consciousness, internal organs, arms, legs, head, etc,”(Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance). Many people that are pro-choice anticipate future cures of diseases, such as Parkinson’s diseases, juvenile diabetes, spinal cord injuries, and Alzheimer’s disease (a degeneration of the brain functions causing memory loss and eventual death). Supporters of stem cell research believe that “if it is not a person, then removing stem cells may be morally acceptable,” (Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance).
Despite the enormous potential for medical advancements, controversy still surrounds the extraction and experimentation of stem cells. Though many agree with scientists that the aim of embryonic stem cell research is to relieve suffering, many conservative Americans still oppose this concept, believing that the extraction of stem cells is 1st degree murder. Most opponents of embryonic stem cell research connect it with abortion and “believe that the destruction of the embryo goes against moral law, and dehumanizes the unborn,” (Encyclopedia of U.S. History, 2009). People that are pro-life accept that the pre-embryo is a person with DNA unique to the embryo. Contrary to people's strong religious beliefs, it is argued that only God has the power and right to “create” and “end” lives, and that obtaining cells from an embryo destroys the possibility of a human being alive. Many Americans fear, if embryonic stem cell research isn’t stopped, this will increase encouragement of creating extra embryos for profit, and exclusion from cures available elsewhere. Also, since there is no guarantee of success in embryonic stem cell research, conservatives believe researchers are wasting innocent lives (in the form of embryos) for a losing cause. These were reasons valid enough for President Bush to use laws such as the Dickey Amendment “restricting the use of federal funds for creating, destroying, or knowingly injuring human embryos”. Contrary to my religious beliefs, and similar to many conservatives, I completely oppose of stem cell research. I strongly value human life from the point of conception, while considering the religious idea that only God chooses who lives or dies. Although, these stem cells may be used for scientific purposes associated with saving the lives of a voluminous amount of human beings, I believe it is immoral that new human lives aren’t formed for the purpose of experimentation. It is obvious that not many truly object to the fact that thousands of unused embryos are just seen as mere experiments and are nonchalantly discarded or destroyed by scientists; the lives of what could have been people, being flushed down a sink drain, or thrown in a medical waste bin and later incinerated. “Some simply expose the embryos to the air and let them die…” (Ethical concerns: extracting stem cells. date). Even pro-choice groups would be silent on a matter like this, and in my opinion, Stem cell research is almost like the commonly used lampshades made from human skin during the Nazi holocaust. “They may be very attractive and useful lampshades; but a person was murdered during their construction.” (Ethical concerns: extracting stem cells, date)