Stem Cell Argumentative Essay
STEM CELLS
Where are stem cells sourced from?
Stem cells are sourced from three main sources, Embryos, bone marrow and umbilical cord blood. Each different sources’ Stem Cells are either totipotent, pluripotent or multipotent. Refer to Figure 1
Figure 1 Stem Cells can be categorised into their capability of being cultured into a different cell.
Embryonic Stem Cells: Are pluripotent cells meaning they can be cultured into most cell types. The Embryonic Cells are sourced from in the internal cell mass of a blastocyst, meaning that the embryo (encloses all the stem cells) has increased in its size and has transformed into a cluster of smaller balls. The Stem cells are then taken out from the internal cell mass of the blastocyst. Then it is …show more content…
cultured in the lab. This usually take s 5-7 days to go through this process. Because of the embryonic cells pluripotent nature it can be transformed into quite a few different cell varieties such as Nerve Cells, Muscle cells, Red Blood Cells and Whole Organs.
Stomatic Stem Cells: They are multipotent and are commonly known as adult stem cells. They are sourced from bone marrow and umbilical cord blood. (This cord connects the baby to the mother’s womb so the premature baby can be fed with oxygen and the mother’s intake of nutrients. This cord contains some of the richest blood so this blood is good for future use for fighting diseases.) The Stomatic Stem Cells are used for culturing Red Blood Cells, Platelets (helps clotting) and White blood Cells.
How can they cure various’ diseases?
By culturing and transforming different types of cells, scientist can use these cultured cells for fighting a disease, replacing other unreliable dead cells. The Stem Cells ability to produce different cells types is what determines if it can be used for certain treatment. If a patient is suffering from a severe disease, and his/her body is unable to provide a substantial amount of white blood cells, by taking some bone marrow stem cells and culturing the cell into white blood cells this process can save may lives.
How should we as Christians view the use of stem cells?
As Christians we obviously are to be thankful for the technology and the cure we have access today. To cure an ill isn’t wrong. A major part of Jesus’ ministry was healing 1and one of the synoptic writers was a physician2The study of Stem cells has lead to many new discoveries that are life saving but one thing we need to ask ourselves, “Is this right?” “Is this what God wants?” But first we have to know the big but small difference between Adult Stem cells and Embryonic Stem cells. As mentioned before Adult Stem are cells obtained from living bone marrow, blood, skin, body fat and brain tissue. These cells are cultured for the use of curing many types of cancer, leukaemia and heart diseases.
However Embryonic Cell are sourced from human embryos. So to collect the embryonic Stem cells a human embryo must be destroyed (killed). In the bible it clearly says that human existence starts at conception. Then we must ask, “what’s are view on Human Embryos?”. Just because the embryo is microscopic, it still is a human. To destroy it means simply abortion, killing. God very clearly says in the 6th commandment that we shall not kill. Again, God makes it very clear in different passages:
Psalm 139:
13
For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.
Jeramiah 1:4-5
4 The word of the Lord came to me, saying,
5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew[a] you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”
Just because the size is so small and it looks so insignificant, it so significant, God made each one of us uniquely. Just because this research requires the destruction it goes clearly against Gods will and laws. There is no “gain” in justifying the destruction of a helpless human for spare parts. In conclusion, the discovery of adult stem cells doesn’t need the death of humans and they have the adaptability to be cultured. Therefore research on adult stem cells should continue but within the Spirit of God.
http://www.truthandtidings.com/issues/2005/t20050209.php
REFERENCES:
Science Quest 8
Graeme LOFTS Merrin J. EVERGREEN
http://www.gotquestions.org/Christian-stem-cell-research.html#ixzz2LgxkvAZY
Copyright 2002-2013 Got Questions Ministries
Where are stem cells sourced from?
Stem cells are sourced from three main sources, Embryos, bone marrow and umbilical cord blood. Each different sources’ Stem Cells are either totipotent, pluripotent or multipotent. Refer to Figure 1
Figure 1 Stem Cells can be categorised into their capability of being cultured into a different cell.
Embryonic Stem Cells: Are pluripotent cells meaning they can be cultured into most cell types. The Embryonic Cells are sourced from in the internal cell mass of a blastocyst, meaning that the embryo (encloses all the stem cells) has increased in its size and has transformed into a cluster of smaller balls. The Stem cells are then taken out from the internal cell mass of the blastocyst. Then it is …show more content…
cultured in the lab. This usually take s 5-7 days to go through this process. Because of the embryonic cells pluripotent nature it can be transformed into quite a few different cell varieties such as Nerve Cells, Muscle cells, Red Blood Cells and Whole Organs.
Stomatic Stem Cells: They are multipotent and are commonly known as adult stem cells. They are sourced from bone marrow and umbilical cord blood. (This cord connects the baby to the mother’s womb so the premature baby can be fed with oxygen and the mother’s intake of nutrients. This cord contains some of the richest blood so this blood is good for future use for fighting diseases.) The Stomatic Stem Cells are used for culturing Red Blood Cells, Platelets (helps clotting) and White blood Cells.
How can they cure various’ diseases?
By culturing and transforming different types of cells, scientist can use these cultured cells for fighting a disease, replacing other unreliable dead cells. The Stem Cells ability to produce different cells types is what determines if it can be used for certain treatment. If a patient is suffering from a severe disease, and his/her body is unable to provide a substantial amount of white blood cells, by taking some bone marrow stem cells and culturing the cell into white blood cells this process can save may lives.
How should we as Christians view the use of stem cells?
As Christians we obviously are to be thankful for the technology and the cure we have access today. To cure an ill isn’t wrong. A major part of Jesus’ ministry was healing 1and one of the synoptic writers was a physician2The study of Stem cells has lead to many new discoveries that are life saving but one thing we need to ask ourselves, “Is this right?” “Is this what God wants?” But first we have to know the big but small difference between Adult Stem cells and Embryonic Stem cells. As mentioned before Adult Stem are cells obtained from living bone marrow, blood, skin, body fat and brain tissue. These cells are cultured for the use of curing many types of cancer, leukaemia and heart diseases.
However Embryonic Cell are sourced from human embryos. So to collect the embryonic Stem cells a human embryo must be destroyed (killed). In the bible it clearly says that human existence starts at conception. Then we must ask, “what’s are view on Human Embryos?”. Just because the embryo is microscopic, it still is a human. To destroy it means simply abortion, killing. God very clearly says in the 6th commandment that we shall not kill. Again, God makes it very clear in different passages:
Psalm 139:
13
For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.
Jeramiah 1:4-5
4 The word of the Lord came to me, saying,
5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew[a] you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”
Just because the size is so small and it looks so insignificant, it so significant, God made each one of us uniquely. Just because this research requires the destruction it goes clearly against Gods will and laws. There is no “gain” in justifying the destruction of a helpless human for spare parts. In conclusion, the discovery of adult stem cells doesn’t need the death of humans and they have the adaptability to be cultured. Therefore research on adult stem cells should continue but within the Spirit of God.
http://www.truthandtidings.com/issues/2005/t20050209.php
REFERENCES:
Science Quest 8
Graeme LOFTS Merrin J. EVERGREEN
http://www.gotquestions.org/Christian-stem-cell-research.html#ixzz2LgxkvAZY
Copyright 2002-2013 Got Questions Ministries