Should embryonic stem cell research be allowed?

Answer 1

As this is an ethical question, there is no single side that summarises responses to this. Some people believe that pre-human embryos are sacred, and should not be used for experimentation due to religious reasons and the sanctity for human life. On the other hand, pre-embryos are balls of cells, and can be split at any point in this stage to produce multiple further humans (at the zygotic stage, the ball of cells can be split almost any number of times to make multiple genetic replications of the same person).

It is an ethical question that can be argued either way.

Answer 2

Stem cells are useful because a stem cell is able to differentiate into any type of cell needed. If someone has a cancer, stem cells can fill in for cells destroyed trying to get rid of the cancer. They can also heal areas that would normally take a while by differentiating into cells needed in that area.

Answer 3

What are stem cells?

Stem cells are unspecialised cells in the body that can change into any type of cell.

Where are stem cells found?

Stem cells are found in three different places in humans:

1. Adults.

2. Embryos.

3. Umbilical cord blood.

What is special about embryonicstem cells?

* "Embryonic stem cells are special because they can generate all cell types in the body!"

Could embryonic stem cells help people with some diseases?

Yes they could. Stem cells can be used to treat paralysed people. The stem cells can be changed into nerve cells, and injected into a patient. Christopher Reeves, the original superman, campaigned for years after he was paralysed from the neck down after a horse riding accident. He died before he could start treatment.

Why would embryos need to be cloned from the patient?

No person has the same cells, meaning your cells contain your genetic information. Every human is different. They would need to be cloned so that the patient's body would not reject these new cells.

Is this the same as cloning an adult human?

Yes it is, as you are still creating a genetically identical life, but the embryo has a different purpose, to be stem cell donors.

What do people who are in favour of embryonic research say?

* " Most of the arguments in favour of embryonic stem cell research centre on the potential for curing diseases, such as Diabetes and Parkinson's, or treating spinal chord injuries that have immobilized many, such as Christopher Reeve, who died too early to benefit from it."

What do people who are against embryonic research say?

* "Embryonic stem cell research is wrong because living embryos are destroyed in the process. Killing is wrong, no matter who or how small or helpless. People say that the embryos will be killed and go to waste anyway, but the that is just a reason why they shouldn't be created in the first place. There are other stems cells, not just adult stem cells, but umbilical stem cells. Maybe they aren't as easily manipulated to suit our purposes, but maybe that's just because people would rather research embryonic cells because its more well know, seems easier and cheaper, and you can get away with murder."

My View point on embryonic research into stem cells.

I think that we should do more research into stem cells. We should try and improve the health of people now, to try and minimize genetic disorders in the future. With the help of this research, and other treatments, we may be able to wipe out a genetic disorder, like the disease small pox was wiped out. The embryos used are produced and grown in labs, and are never put back into a mother. Some people think it is wrong to tamper with a human's life, but it is more important to treat the people we have now. Imagine a world without cystic fibrosis. It would be expensive for a cure in the short term, but in the long term money would be saved, because with no disease there is no costly treatment. I think that we should use embryonic stem cell research.

Answer 4

Yes, if useful results come of the research and yes, if the stem cells procured from such research are capable of being used as cures and help for people who require them. Note, that embryos will have to be used anyway to ascertain whether the stem cells from them are useful or not.

There are ethical issues surrounding the use of human embryos. Pro-life activists raise the issue of the 'value of human life', sometimes referring to the embryos as human 'beings' themselves. Human embryos are human in that they contain the human genome. Human embryos are alive in that they respire, grow and imbibe nutrient. Embryos are not 'beings' in that they are unconscious and neurologically incapable of noticing whether they are used for stem cell research or not. It would be a pity to throw away stem cell research for the sake of the 'value' of unconscious embryos when already-conscious adult or child humans are suffering and require stem cells as their treatment.

Answer 5

Yes, scientists are allowed to implant embryonic stem cells into humans, but only if they privately fund it.

Answer 6

Yes I do, it obviously has potential to save countless lives. If research is never allowed, these countless lives will never be saved.

Answer 7

I believe that stem stem cell research should be continued.

Answer 8

This is an opinion question. Some may say yes to advance medicine. Others may have problems with it violating their religion.

Answer 9

NEVER.