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THE CONTROVERSY ON THE STEM CELL Stem cell research is one of the most controversial ideas in modern society. There are those who believe that it holds out the promise to cure or relieve some of humanity's most terrible diseases. On the other side, there are those who insist that stem cells can only be collected by killing embryos by murder. How does one reconcile this issue?
Are embryos regarded as a measure of the symbolic value for the human species? That is the contention of those against the stem cell researches. How much do these embryos represent human life potential? The advocates of pro-life do not advocate violence of any kind. If studies on this continue, it may mean that we are treating the human embryo as just a cluster of tissues and cells? For the advocates of life, the end does not justify the means?
There are also those who say that adopting stem cell can cure diseases. They say that it will help researchers a lot. Some of these experiments are now being done on several people with cancer as a last resort. Yet scientists still have years to count before they can arrive at good results (Maddox, Tracy, 2001). It is difficult to underestimate the importance of stem-cell research, both in terms of its medical potential as well as its potential to divide society. Because of its possible benefits, it promises to fundamentally restructure the traditional forces that stand opposed to abortion.
Support for it is even more widespread than is support for legalized abortion. It is important that people who are already prejudiced must take the time to learn more about the issue (The Stem Cell Controversy). People hear a lot about fetus being used here but there is a lot more to it than this issue. The major ethical problem here is that the blastocyst, must be destroyed in order to retrieve these cells. Those who are against stem cell cure have firm convictions that this earliest embryo is human life worthy of protection. Once the nucleus from sperm and egg unite in the newly fertilized egg, a biochemical cascade begins that leads inevitably to a baby nine months later as long as the embryo is in the proper environment (Charles Krauthammer).
The American public has been a haven of open scientific inquiry and it has always been a factor in creating globally accepted innovations in biotechnology and medicine. As the country is beset by several debilitating diseases such as cancer, Alzheimers disease, Parkinsons disease and diabetes, the doctors struggle to find a solution for these chronic and fatal diseases. Ironically, the potential solution in which they have stumbled upon is contested. This destroys another life in order to accomplish it. Indeed, the issue on stem cell research has been a widely and hotly debated issue due to its ethical implications. During the process, one takes the human embryo cells which have been deemed by the National Institute of Health as having greater developmental potential as opposed to adult stem cells.
Essentially, in order for one to have a so-called stem cell research line, it would translate to the destruction of a human embryo. Aside from the ethical considerations, there are other problems. The proper chemical signals to direct stem cells to turn into the cells one wants are unknown. This is certainly the end goal of research. Meanwhile, the issue on the stem cell will continue to be a highly-charged one.
Researchers will have to deal with this for a long time. Much research needs to be done. Many issues need to be reconciled. Both sides believe that they are right. WORKS CITED Future of Stem Cell Research: Rapid Progress. Article Accessed Sept 29, 2008 web Human Stem Cell Research.
S. B. No. 1351. A Bill for an Act. The Senate Twenty-Third Legislature 2005. State of Hawaii.
Accessed Sept 29, 2008 at: . web Krauthammer, Charles "The great stem cell hoax, " The Weekly Standard, August 20 /August 27, 2001, p. 12
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Research essay sample on The Controversy On Stem Cell