Thread: Stem Cell Research

Scientists nationwide agree that stem cell research has a lot of potential to produce miraculous discoveries in medicine and further out understanding of human lives. But despite the magnificent progress that has already been made during the first nine years of research, the Bush administration feels that this research should be banned. This is because oftentimes a human fetus, coming from abortions, must be used for the purpose of embryonic stem cell research. The cost of using these already destroyed lives far outweighs the cost of millions of thriving lives being destroyed by painful diseases. We have the responsibility to alleviate diseases and sickness whenever possible. The government must begin funding for national embryonic stem cell research to prevent the destruction of unaided lives.

Scientific studies have shown how important stem cells are and now scientists are very close to finding cures to various diseases and ailments. The reason why embryonic stem cells are so important is because they have the ability to develop into virtually any type of cell. We all have known somebody with a disease that causes excruciating pain and suffering. Would it not be worthwhile to find cures to these diseases with the use of stem cells? Stem cells hold the promise to being able to cure the most devastating diseases and disabilities. Juvenile diabetes is a disease that affects millions of kids in our nation. Juvenile diabetes is particularly disheartening because it is devastating to the quality of life the kids endure on a daily basis. Multiple insulin shots are required to be taken daily, and they are in no way a cure, the shots are merely a temporary replacement for the much-needed insulin the body cannot produce. The shots can even make the child grotesquely sick. Researchers have been studying stem cells and have nearly found a way to make the cells naturally produce the insulin that is needed for the child to survive; which would effectively be a cure for this terrible illness. Scientists all agree that the goal of creating cures for tragic diseases requires the use of embryonic stem cell research in combination with the already existent and allowed stem cell research, which uses adult stem cells.

While other stem cell research is important, embryonic stem cell research is required due to its vast potential that has yet to be harnessed. The truth is that adult stem cells do not have the same amount of potential as embryonic stem cells. Eighty Nobel laureates have commented on this troubling situation saying, "Current evidence suggests that adult stem cells have markedly restricted differentiation potential. Therefore, for disorders that prove not to be treatable with adult stem cells, impeding human pluripotent (embryonic) stem cell research risks unnecessary delay for millions of patients who may die or endure needless suffering while the effectiveness of adult stem cells is evaluated." The ability to save millions of suffering people is very ethical and no other ethical arguments can even compare. President Bush feels that it is wrong to test the embryos required for research, stating, "…The fact that a living being is going to die does not justify experimenting on it or exploiting it as a natural resource." This would be true if we truly were exploiting the life, but the only way to exploit something is to do it in a selfish act, by definition of the word "exploit". Hindering the very likely possibility of others improving their lives because it goes against one's morals is selfish. If the president does not pursue funding for embryonic stem cell research, then the responsibility of human beings to help others is hindered and in vain. If we really do strive to help others during times of excruciating pain then embryonic stem cell research is a very practical and morally true method for finding such cures.

President Bush has overlooked the good that would come out of stem cell research and has referred to ethical objections rather those scientific objections. Scientists have realized the potential of embryonic stem cells and are worried about how the decision to discontinue embryonic stem cell research will affect the stem cell research as a whole. They worry that cures to end terrible diseases inflicted upon people will not be discovered. Dr. Cohen, the president of the Association of American Medical Colleges, speaks out against the Bush Administration's decision declaring, "Our goal is to ensure that the medical advances uniquely within the grasp of stem cell research reach the millions of patients, both in our country and abroad, who are in desperate need of them. We remain concerned that the conditions President Bush has placed on funding embryonic stem cell research will unnecessarily impede those advances." Bush uses the simple argument of ethics to justify his decision to discontinue stem cell research claiming, "Research on embryonic stem cells raises profound ethical questions, because extracting the stem cell destroys the embryo, and thus destroys its potential for life. Like a snowflake, each of these embryos is unique, with the unique genetic potential of an individual human being." He would be right in claiming this, but the fact is that fetal stem cell research is conducted on fetuses with no potential for life. After a fetus has been out of contact with the womb it has no chance of living. No lives are saved when the fetus is allowed to rot as a useless corpse. The fetus does not need to end up like this; rather it can help some one who is suffering from fatal diseases like Parkinson's disease or diabetes. Yes, it is unethical to destroy a life that has potential, but it is more unethical not to save an already flourishing life by not using these fetuses with no potential at all. It would be tragic to waste the unique potential of embryonic stem cells, which are going to be dispensed of with no action, when they could very well alleviate human suffering and enhance the quality of life. If there is a choice to destroy two lives, or to save one life through the use of another then the one life must be saved. Although the president's stance is different, my ethics aspire to save rather than to destroy.

Embryonic stem cell research is crucial to preserve our responsibility to alleviate sickness, and funding for embryonic stem cell research must be allowed to end the constant pain and suffering cause by unnecessary ailments.

Nicely written
It was very interesting to read about all the wonderful things stem-cell research can do. Maybe within our life time, it will be able to benefit us as well as our kids.