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Stem Cell Research

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Technology Integration: Stem Cell Research

HCS/578
May 26, 2012
Linda Bell JD, BSN, RN

Technology Integration: Stem Cell Research Stems cells are the building blocks of the human body. Stems cells are valuable because of their capability to develop into other cell types. Studies have been conducted that suggest that stem cell could be used to repair or regenerate damaged organs or tissues and treat an assortment of medical diseases, such as diabetes, or Alzheimer’s along with the development of new medications. Three types of stems cells exist embryonic, adult, and foetal, which are found in human tissue and animals. This paper will highlight ethical dilemmas of stem cell research. It will also stress the effects stem cell research has on global health. The paper will also feature health policies on stem cell research in the United States and how these policies differ from international policies.
Ethical Dilemmas Posed by Stem Cell Research

Several ethical issues need to be considered on the use of this type of research, such as the safety, legality, and morality of stem cell research. Stem cell research requires the general population to pick among two moral principles. The first one is the obligation of preventing and alleviating suffering and the obligation to respect and value human life. The use of embryos for stem cells research results in “...the destruction of blastocysts formed from laboratory-fertilized human eggs” (Mukhopadhyay, Tokas, & Mathur, 2011, p. 283). This means that one must destroy an embryo to obtain this stem cell, which means killing a person. Many people believe that life starts at conception. These blastocysts are a life form and to use them mean the killing of a life, which is unethical and immoral. On the other hand stem cell research is important because this research can help with the discovery of cures for

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