Should Embryonic Stem Cell Research Be Banned

Should Embryonic Stem-Cell Research Be Banned? In recent times, there is a great deal of controversy surrounding stem-cell research. Some say that it will contribute substantially in curing diseases like cancer, Parkinson’s, Lou-Gehrig’s, etc while others claim that it violates the ethical and moral norms and principles of the society. Bills promoting stem-cell research have been vetoed several times, making it a political issue as well. However, stem-cell research should not be banned because its expected benefits significantly outweigh its losses. It can be used to cure a great number of deadly diseases and holds the promise of providing even further benefits. Stem-cells are actually cells that have not undergone complete development, or, in other words did not differentiate into the cell of a specialized tissue or organ. They possess two important characteristics: they can undergo numerous cycles of cell-division or producing a large number of its own kind, yet at the same time possess the capacity of differentiating into a cell of any tissue or organ of the body.
Embryonic stem-cell research promises cure for many diseases and further benefits for the overall good of humanity. Moreover, virtually any excuse to ban it comes from vague and illogical ethical and religious doctrines. If this research is banned, it will certainly be detrimental to the progress of medical science and the hopes of millions of people to find a cure for their incurable deadly diseases and other ailments and lead a long life with good health will never be fulfilled. Hence, financial, political as well as social encouragement and support should be provided to embryonic stem-cell research in order to find out new and efficient cures for debilitating diseases and to discover the benefits that embryonic stem-cells may have in store for our overall