The Ethical Implications of Embryonic Stem Cell Research
Penny Jones
Dr. James Mayall
Ethics in Action
01 April 2010
The Ethical Implications of Embryonic Stem Cell Research
Stem cell is defined by Webster’s New World Medical Dictionary as, “one of the human body’s master cells, with the ability to grow into any one of the body’s more than 200 cell types (Webster’s New World Medical Dictionary, 2000).” The ethical implications of stem cell research; particularly with regards to embryonic stem cell research, has become an increasingly popular topic of debate in recent years. Medical experts, religious leaders, and politicians alike all share strong opinions on the matter. Although debates around stem cell research come from varying perspectives, emphasizing differing points of contention, it seems that the controversy surrounding stem cell research comes at the intersection of two primary opposing viewpoints: the high esteem for human life and the right to it, and the desire to alleviate human suffering. While these two ideas are not in themselves contradictory, in this particular case it is nearly impossible to satisfy one without violating the other. Stem cells show potential for many different areas of health and medical research, and studying them can help us understand how they transform into the astounding array of specialized cells that make us what we are. Some of the most serious medical conditions, such as cancer and birth defects, are caused by problems that occur somewhere in this process. A better understanding of normal cell development will allow us to recognize and perhaps correct the errors that cause these medical conditions. Despite the fact that embryonic stem cell research is consistently pushing the limits of possibility for disease prevention and treatment, it is no less problematic in its moral assumptions (National Institute of Health, 2009).
The discovery, isolation, and culturing of human embryonic stem cells has been described as one of the most significant breakthroughs in biomedicine
Dr. James Mayall
Ethics in Action
01 April 2010
The Ethical Implications of Embryonic Stem Cell Research
Stem cell is defined by Webster’s New World Medical Dictionary as, “one of the human body’s master cells, with the ability to grow into any one of the body’s more than 200 cell types (Webster’s New World Medical Dictionary, 2000).” The ethical implications of stem cell research; particularly with regards to embryonic stem cell research, has become an increasingly popular topic of debate in recent years. Medical experts, religious leaders, and politicians alike all share strong opinions on the matter. Although debates around stem cell research come from varying perspectives, emphasizing differing points of contention, it seems that the controversy surrounding stem cell research comes at the intersection of two primary opposing viewpoints: the high esteem for human life and the right to it, and the desire to alleviate human suffering. While these two ideas are not in themselves contradictory, in this particular case it is nearly impossible to satisfy one without violating the other. Stem cells show potential for many different areas of health and medical research, and studying them can help us understand how they transform into the astounding array of specialized cells that make us what we are. Some of the most serious medical conditions, such as cancer and birth defects, are caused by problems that occur somewhere in this process. A better understanding of normal cell development will allow us to recognize and perhaps correct the errors that cause these medical conditions. Despite the fact that embryonic stem cell research is consistently pushing the limits of possibility for disease prevention and treatment, it is no less problematic in its moral assumptions (National Institute of Health, 2009).
The discovery, isolation, and culturing of human embryonic stem cells has been described as one of the most significant breakthroughs in biomedicine
Cited: Kohen, Ari. The Problem of Secular Sacredness: Ronald Dworkin, Michael Perry, and Human Rights Foundationalism. 2006. 15 March 2010 <http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1036&context=poliscifacpub>. National Institute of Health . Research Ethics and Stem Cells. 2009. 15 March 2010 <http://stemcells.nih.gov/info/ethics.asp>. Rickard, Maurice. Key Ethical Issues in Embryonic Stem Cell Research. 12 November 2002. 15 March 2010 <http://www.stofnfrumur.is/focal/stofnfrumur/webguard.nsf/Attachment/Stem%20cell%20ethics%20(Australia)/$file/Stem%20cell%20ethics%20(Australia).pdf>. Surran, Melissa. Controversial stem cell research under way but no major breakthroughs – for now. 7 August 2007. 15 March 2010 <http://news.medill.northwestern.edu/washington/news.aspx?id=137823>. Webster’s New World Medical Dictionary . Stem Cells. January 2000. 15 March 2010 <http://www.medicinenet.com/stem_cells/article.htm>. Williams, Erin D. Stem Cell Research: Ethical Issues. 25 August 2008. 15 March 2010 <http://italy.usembassy.gov/pdf/other/RL33554.pdf>. Womens Health. Ethics of Stem Cell Research . 2007. 15 March 2010 <http://www.womens-health.co.uk/ethics_stemcells.html>.