The Morality Of Stem Cell Research In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

With the increase funding and use of stem cells, issues begin to arise in which Mary Shelley foreshadows in Frankenstein. Technology is defined by an instrument's ability to accomplish certain tasks swiftly and effectively. Shelley forewarns that technology will become instrumental in our daily lives and will only benefit us if people understand its capabilities and appreciates it. Ignoring the extent to which stem cells can manipulate life and death can create grave consequences. Mary Shelley’s message that man is at fault for manipulating technology to reinstall life in others is relevant today; stem cell research and other technology begin to digress Darwin's concept of the survival of the fittest, introduces cancerous cells, and introduces
Stem cell research begins to arise as an instrument for rehabilitation and recovery for the public. The exponential popularity of such a method “lie at the core of human desires – to understand our origin and to cheat death” (Goodyear). Cells present during the development of the fetus are called stem cells. These cells have the ability to transform into any type of cell necessary in the development in the fetus. However, these cells are only present at that time and can only be extracted from dead fetus. Religious organization and humanitarians argue whether “embryos have moral status . . . and are owed all the same duties as a human being” (Nelson). Thus, the question arises to whether voluntary slaughter of embryos to extract their stem cells is morally improper. The methods of extracting these cells cause intense debates over the public. Shelley may observe this practice as a monstrous one which only occur due to the impractical morality of scientific researchers. This unique feature of the cell allows it to be harvested and grown into other organs that a patient may need, thus reanimating life into patients who are in need of certain organs. By manipulating these cells, Goodyear discusses the implications of such a powerful tool. Not only could it help replenish non multiplying cells such as brain cells and nerve cells, it could help
Technological advances can only result in monstrous consequences if innovative ideas are used to their limitless potential to quench the thirst of the public. The extraction of stem cells from an embryo remains analogous “to killing a man, removing his heart, and passing it along to someone else for a transplant” (Jackson). Man must be weary of the extent to they take technology to a monstrous level. Voluntary slaughter of embryos to extract their cells only strengthens the fear Shelley foreshadowed about modern technology. Although technology may be able to perform such crude actions, man hides behind the curtains of the technology that allows such possibility. By extracting the life of an undeveloped fetus, scientists are able to instill life into those who are on the verge of death. The creation, outraged by the behavior of Victor exclaim that “[Victor] accuse [the monster] of murder, and yet [Victor] would, with a satisfied conscience, destroy [his] own creature” (Shelley 69). Shelley delivers her warning and message through the voice of the creature. Although the creature lacks the moral compass that Victor would have potentially fostered into the creation if he had nurtured it, the creature, ironically, becomes more self aware of the situation than an actual human. The