Overview of Stem-Cell Research
Overview of Stem-Cell Research
After a brief study of stem cell research, I discovered that it is a largely debated topic and that many find it ethically wrong. I certainly understand the perspective of those morally opposed to the research, however I concluded that the positive aspects of the research far outweigh the negatives.
Most of those who are morally opposed to the research believe that the embryo has the moral status of a person from the moment of conception. Similar to opponents of abortion in relation to the fetus, they think that research (or any other activity) that would destroy the embryo is wrong. Many of those who condemn the research fail to realize that the embryos are typically extracted from surplus frozen embryos left over from in-vitro fertilization procedures at fertility clinics. For those who support the research, arriving at an acceptable policy involves a complex balancing of a number of important ethical concerns.
Although the extraction of stem cells requires the destruction of a potential human, the positive results of the research stand unparalleled. Some researchers regard them as offering the greatest potential for the alleviation of human suffering since the development of antibiotics. Over 100 million Americans suffer from diseases that may eventually be treated more effectively with stem cells or even cured. Scientists believe the further research will be critical to curing such devastating diseases and conditions as juvenile diabetes, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, cancer, heart disease, spinal cord injury, ALS, certain types of cancer, and many others.