There are 10,000 known diseases in the world, but there are treatments for only 500 of them (McCarthy). While new diseases keep getting discovered, the number of cures isn’t growing proportionally. However, embryonic stem cell research could potentially change these trends and alter the face of medicine completely. Stem cell research provides hope in finding treatments and cures to diseases thousands battle worldwide, regardless of the extensive ethical concerns about social justice associated with it. Chronic diseases are the leading cause of death worldwide (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). Disease rates from such conditions are accelerating globally, advancing across every region and pervading all socioeconomic classes. Diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer's, multiple sclerosis and diabetes still …show more content…
Embryonic stem cells, which are produced very early in human development, have the potential to develop into any kind of cell found in the human body; much current research focuses on how to precisely control or induce such differentiation (“Stem Cells”). Scientists were originally interested in stem cells because they provided a way to study totipotency and the plasticity of cells during embryonic development. But it is clear now that “these cells can be used to treat, and possibly cure, a wide variety of diseases” (Panno 88). Rather than administering a pill or an injection, which tends to manage symptoms rather than offer a cure, stem cells work to repair or restore the damaged tissue. Instead of depending on viral vectors, stem cell therapy attempts to treat a disease by introducing whole human cells into the body, which is hoped to restore the patient’s health (Aldridge). Conditions that might be treated this way include Parkinson’s disease, muscular dystrophy, diabetes, heart disease, vision and hearing loss, spinal injury, and even
The essay “Best Hope Lies in Privately Funded Stem Cell Research”, states the importance of stem cell research and the effects it can have on curing disease more effectively than any other method. Written by Sigrid Fry-Revere, PhD, director of bioethics studies at the Cato Institute; the author of the paper emphasizes the importance of funding programs for stem cell research on highlights the government holding out on funding due to ethical reasons. Revere claims that the government is threatening the private investing of stem cell research organizations and are trying to put a stop to production of research. This essay is targeted for people who are academic/bioethics orientated and the future of the world disease control and abolishment.
Globally, scientists are turning to stem cell research as the most promising step to curing many of the harshest diseases and conditions including cancer, Alzheimer’s, stroke, paralysis and many more. Stem cells are useable as a replacement for damaged cells because of their self renewing properties. Their form allows them to act as other types of cells and regenerate as a substitute for the affected cells or as a way of testing new medications. Stroke related disabilities alone account for more than 1.2 million people and millions more are impacted by other cell related disabilities making stem cell research an essential pursuit in order to make strides in medicine (Cunningham 368).
For example, Alzheimer’s disease is a disease that is caused by brain cell death. Alzheimer’s does not have a cure, and the only treatment for it is medication that will slow the death of cells. However, if embryonic stem cells were used, they could replace and, theoretically, stop the death of brain cells, which would in turn, halt the disease. So overall, this treatment could dramatically benefit patients struggling through diseases like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, cancer, and diabetes. Furthermore, the increase of quality of life for these living people is more than worth the possible destruction of a cluster of
Over the years, there have been many controversial issues surrounding medical research, but one of the most arguable topics of all time is the use of embryonic stem cells. Some individuals believe that extracting stem cells from unborn babies will be useful to create new medications or, in most cases, help regenerate damaged cells. Although, many people disagree with the process scientists use to obtain these stem cells. By continuing embryonic stem cell research, scientists are denying an unborn child the chance to live, they are not letting nature take its intended course, and they are not adhering to the religious or moral beliefs of many people.
Over 100 million people, in America, suffer from diseases that eventually may be treated more effectively or even cured with embryonic stem cell therapy. Susan Frank says, “The critics of life-saving stem cell research technologies use false claims, an anti-technology bias and an alarmist view of sensibly and ethically practiced medical research. Instead, progressives and conservatives should join together and affirm that embryonic stem cell research holds great promise for those suffering from diseases; thank responsible and ethical scientists for their tireless efforts; and hope that, someday soon, cures will be discovered. ”(Frank) I don’t think people who are against this research haven’t thought about all the lives that could be changed and saved.
Embryonic stem cell research was established in the early 80’s and has since sparked into a highly controversial issue involving religious debates over the use of human embryos. Embryonic stem cells are considered to be unspecialized cells, which can be manipulated into specialized cells such as a skin cell or a heart cell. The specialized cells could potentially cure conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, diabetes, heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, cystic fibrosis, and spinal cord injuries. Despite the large amount of ethical complications that come along with the utilization of stem cells, I advocate that stem cell research should be expanded and developed more widely in the medical field.
In recent years, several competing viewpoints have emerged about embryonic stem cell research. All of this debate raises an important question, Should embryonic stem cell research be conducted for treatment of present and future diseases? People who believe that an embryo should not be destroyed tend to say that embryonic stem cell research should not be conducted. On the other hand, people who believe that embryonic stem cell research creates means of curing diseases reply that the research should be conducted. Embryonic stem cell research “uses special cells found in three-to-five day old human embryos to seek cures for a host of chronic disease” (PRC).
From the first isolation of embryonic stem cells in 1998, to manipulation and differentiation of mice tissue, to produce different cell types in 1999 and 2000 (Marnaghan 2015), there has been huge controversy over the ethical bases behind research of Embryonic Stem Cells (ESC’s) and their ethical uses. Other problems, which have been arising in this field of research, are the issues of patenting (Bergman & D.Graff 2007). For Pharmaceutical companies and scientists, to invest time and money into researching and discovering treatments for diseases, be it neurodegenerative or not, they need more of an incentive. Unfortunately, up until recently stem cells and their experimental method could not be patented due to the cells originating from an
As science becomes more advanced, research and testing of ways to heal the human body often leads to controversy over the moral and ethical dilemmas. The controversy over embryonic stem cell research has let to arguments over the funding of such research. Opponents to the research claim embryos are human lives and harvesting stem cells from them destroys the embryo thus kills a human life (SAUNDERS). Proponents argue the tremendous advantages to human health using embryonic stem cells that cannot be realized elsewhere (HUTTO). Dr. James Till and Dr. Ernest McCulloch discovered stem cells in mice in 1981.
The deliberation of bioethics in human cell and stem cell research has flip-flopped altercations between whether stem cell research corrupts the future or if basic ethical uses in clinical research are being held to its standards. The idea of having genetically altered drugs and cells sits with people the wrong way, and with that they have come to the decision that cell research will cause more problems than it stopping them. However, while a majority of people and scientists believe genetic engineering is an evil corruption of nature’s course, genetic engineering has the greatest potential to do something great for our future, but it is our moralistic responsibility to follow the rules of bioethics. The author of The Immortal Life of Henrietta
These cells' super hero-like advances in treatments and successful procedures cannot be compared, although embryonic stem cell research and the use of human and animal embryos are becoming more legal for facilities across the United States. Constantly, many governments throughout the world are in disputes between using these embryos for research, and the controversy is: "Is it worth paying the price of a life with no opinion or defense in order to improve our generation's health and wellbeing?" While stem cells are also becoming the new controversial debate internationally, small households with loved ones suffering with rare diseases and disorders now have new conversations about how to continue living and sustaining their lives. With stem cells having the potential to solve and cure, how will citizens of the United States and other desperate countries respond in our generation and in the near future to these rapidly successful, amazing medical possibilities called stem
Adult Stem Cell: A Benefit for All Hippocrates once said “Whenever the art of medicine is loved, there is also a love of humanity.” The biggest part of being in medicine is healing the sick and helping people, not finding the cure for a new disease or studying mice in a lab. Restricting scientists and researchers from doing their jobs—from helping people—helps no one. The controversial debate surrounding stem cell research can be solved if people view it from a pure view, without political and religious agendas. Hannah Warren, now five years old, is alive today because of stem cells.
Many people, including scientists, argue whether or not stem cells should be used to cure many diseases and other disabilities patients may have. This research could be remarkable is the stem cell’s amazing ability to divide and develop into many different types of cells. They also have the ability to repair damaged cells in tissues. The ability to specialize in any type of cell and seemingly divide without any limit could advance medicine in many ways. It is important to note that there are two different kinds of stem cells, embryonic and adult stem cells.
One of the most important arguments to this debate is presented through the scientific lens. Although embryonic stem cells pose enormous potential to treat and cure diseases and conditions, adult stem cells are more effective in treating these conditions. Adult stem cells pose a much lesser risk of forming tumors or not functioning as originally intended (Smith). Adult stem cells are also currently used today, as bone marrow transplants are a form of stem cell treatment (Stem Cells in Use).
yet it’s there.” Stem Cell causes numerous consequences for, it was not reliable and this should undertake deeper studies on the other hand this was the only hope for the person suffering from diseases. We should thank God for the life we have. All of us have a special purpose, it is to live and do God’s will. People were God’s creation all of us were obliged to love one another not to hurt others especially the embryos inside the mother’s