Stem Cell Research Argumentative Essay

Human stem cell research is a novel technology that will benefit society as a whole. This bold statement represents a current debate high on the ethical and political agendas across the globe. Although the potential benefits of using human stem cells in the treatment of diseases are vast and clear, their use remains controversial due to the public perception of their source and methods of extraction. However, it is undeniable stem cell research is key in the treatment and reversal of a range of medical diseases from Parkinson’s disease to diabetes. Second, stem cell research and therapy will potentially save many lives of patients waiting or enduring an organ transplant, as it reduces transplant risks and eliminates many medical resource issues.
Estimates of seven to 10 million people are suffering with Parkinson’s disease globally (Parkinson’s disease Foundation, 2014). Multiple sclerosis (MS) affects 2.5 million people around the world and Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is responsible for as many as 5 of every 100,000 deaths in people aged 20 or older (The John Hopkins University, 2013). These life threatening diseases can potentially be cured through the technology and medical therapies of stem cell research. Stem cells have amazing capabilities of self-renewal and plasticity, therefore they can potentially be genetically modified to deliver substances to different organs of the body and stimulate the function of existing cells. For example obtaining dopaminargic neurons from ES cells in laboratories and using them to treat the aging Parkinson’s afflicted brain (EuroStemCell, 2013). In the year 2000, Dr. Evan Snyder at Harvard University implanted human neural stem cells (NSCs) into cancerous mice. He found that the NSCs were penetrating and surrounding the tumors, then subsequently hunting down malignant cells that were drifting into healthy tissues. He then discovered that NSCs expressed an enzyme which shrunk 80 percent of one mouse’s tumor (Aboody et al., 2000). This finding is not only ground breaking but also clear evidence that stem cell therapy has the potential to cure or even eliminate certain life threatening diseases. Dean et al.
Currently, infected or destroyed organs or tissues are replaced by donations. However, the number of organs available for transplantation only aids a small percentage of people needing a transplant, and many individuals die awaiting organ transplants (Hassan et al., 2009). This unfortunate reality only strengthens the argument of how stem cell research can benefit society. ES cells and adult stem cells offer the option for a sustainable source of replaceable cells and tissues to treat disease and reduce negative outcomes for those awaiting transplants. Organ transplants are also known to have a high rejection rate. This issue can be completely eradicated if stem cells are brought into the picture; as cells can be directly taken from the patient (either from bone marrow or other body parts) and be placed in specific organs where needed (National Institutes of Health, 2009). For example, burn victims will experience a colossal amount of pain and frustration from the challenges of healing. However, through stem cell research and therapy, stem cells could be used to create new and healthy tissue specific to the patient, rather than relying on donor tissue (Burd et al., 2007). Thus another utilitarian argument is made, however not only does stem cell