Stem Cell research has potential benefits that cannot be disputed. Stem cells have the power to lead us to cures and effective treatments for diseases and injuries that are currently life threatening. The controversy stems (Ha!) from the method of retrieving/making stem cells. Stem cells are essential for the growth of organisms, and as such they are far more potent and common in fetuses than in adults. Aborted fetuses and placentas are often used as sources of stem cells. Many religious groups and politicians oppose this, seeing it as playing god, or destroying life.
What a waste.
Would those who oppose stem cell research prefer that aborted fetuses are simply disposed of? Is that any more ethical? Why, I ask, would anyone oppose making use of an undoubtedly tragic thing for the greater good? This is knowledge that it would suit us not to ignore. Imagine a world where life threatening diseases claim no more lives, and an injury to your spine is not to be confined to a wheelchair. Can it be argued that this is bad? I say no. Our government should fund this revolutionary research, as opposed to being afraid of it.
http://www.experiment-resources.com/stem-cell-pros-and-cons.html
Quick note: you say "aborted fetuses" when, I believe, you mean blastocysts. A blastocyst is a cluster of undifferentiated stem cells that have yet to become anything, a fetus is a full-fledged organism. I think it is important to linguistically point out this difference, because it helps to remind ourselves that stem cells are being derived from small clusters of cells, not from dead babies.
ReplyDeletegood point and thank you. my intention with this post was to discuss the ethics and potential benefits of this science, not so much the actual process. but i appreciate the clarification!
DeleteI think this is a really good way of summing up the topic and illuminating some of the arguments against stem cell research; however, I don't believe it addresses all the sources of stem cells. For example, it has become apparent that stem cells don't have to come from just a blastocyst (they can come from bone marrow and blood in an adult). Could there just be a switch from blastocyst stem cells to these to avoid controversy?
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