Stem Cell Research the Debate on Stem

Stem Cell Research

The debate on stem cell research is getting more heated. The controversial research practice is said to be conducted in the hopes that some of humanity's major diseases will one day be a thing of the past. Yet, it is also clear that the controversy on the living nature of the stem cells used makes the argument against such research much stronger.

Stem cells contain human DNA, and have been used in research to try and unlock cures for serious disease and cases of paralysis caused by spinal injury. They are used within the context of growing medical research. In fact, there are three types of stem cells used. The embryonic stem cells often prove the most productive in that they have "the greatest potential in that they can theoretically become any of the 220 cell types," (Robinson, 1). This is where the controversy begins.

Those supporting stem research have a variety of arguments. First, stem cells contain vital clues and information about human DNA, which can help impact the field of medicine (Robinson, 1). Research shows that stem cells could provide ways to cures for some of our most dangerous genetic and viral diseases (White, 1). This could include riding humanity of Alzheimer's a Parkinson's disease, along with permanent trauma caused by spinal injuries (American Roundtable, 1). The stem cells used are not developed enough to be considered a human being yet. There is an idea in the community supporting stem cell research that there are available fetuses that can provide stem cells for research. Thus, some supporters claim that fetuses left over from fertility clinics or from abortion clinics can be used, as they would have gone to waste anyways (Fox News, 1).

However, the argument against stem research proves stronger. Overall, any of the cures the supporters claim will come have not, and are very far away in the future (White, 1). Thus, who knows how many more fetuses will need to be harvested in order to supply the level of stem cells needed for such research that may or may not harbor possible results in a distant future. Moreover, embryonic cells taken from the human body is a potential human being. The research suggests that "a pre-embryo from which embryonic stem cells are removed is a human person, and that the process of extracting the cells murders the person," (Robinson, 1). The medical research is uncertain, thus of researchers want to save a life they could be saving the pre-embryo they are destroying through the practice of the research itself (Reaves, 1). Additionally, in response to the second argument that the stem cells are not human beings yet, it is clear that the cells share life and DNA with all of us. The cells themselves are alive, "A consensus exists that such pre-embryos are alive. They contain human DNA and are thus a form of human life," (Robinson, 2). This constitutes first-degree murder for the purpose of research