The Stem Cell Debate is Not About Medical Benefits Essays

In the final analysis, the debate about embryonic stem cell research is not primarily about medical benefits. In his great novel The Brothers Karamazov, Dostoevsky raised the question whether it would be right to build a world without human suffering if it was essential and inevitable to torture to death one tiny creature such as an innocent child to achieve that end. Each of us must answer that ultimate question in the depths of his or her own conscience. The claim that destructive embryo research will achieve such a utopian end is, we believe, a hollow promise. In the meantime, however, the killing will be quite real. We hope that you will consider these reflections and agree that our government should not support research†¦show more content†¦The embryos to be destroyed by researchers in this campaign are at the same stage of development as embryos in the womb who have been protected as human subjects in federally funded research since 1975.(4) President Clintons National Bioethics Advisory Commission (NBAC) and its 1994 predecessor, the NIH Human Embryo Research Panel, conceded that the early human embryo is a form of developing human life that deserves our respect(5). Treating human life as mere research material is no way to show respect. Finally, this proposal is unnecessary because adult stem cells and other alternatives are already achieving some of the goals for which embryonic stem cells have been proposed, and new clinical uses are constantly being discovered.(6) In our view, human life deserves full respect and protection at every stage and in every condition. The intrinsic wrong of destroying innocent human life cannot be outweighed by any material advantage -- in other words, the end does not justify an immoral means. Acceptance of a purely utilitarian argument for mistreating human lifeShow MoreRelatedStem Cell Research Needs to Be Funded Essay1555 Words   |  7 Pagesinsulin shots. With the development of stem cell research, and the more controversial embryonic stem cell research, every one of these instances could not only be cured, but prevented, within the next half century. In fact, diseases that are predicted to be treated by means of stem cell research are figured to now plague the likes of 100 million Americans. Looking at the arguments dealing with stem cell research, it is evident that the advantages of stem cell research greatly outweigh the disadvantagesRead MoreThe Debate Over Embryonic Stem Cell Research852 Words   |   4 Pagespeople only talk about cancer and a desperate need for organ donors as part of a history lesson. Medical advancements have brought technology closer to making that world a reality. Recent advancements in knowledge of stem cell research has already created the ability for doctors to print a functional organ just as easily as people can print a persuasive research essay. With great medical advancements comes great controversy. The main way researchers have been studying stem cells is by harvestingRead MoreWhat Are Unethical About Stem Cell Research?956 Words   |  4 Pagesestablished the theory that every cell comes from a precursor cell. Maximow was deeply involved in histology, the study of plant and animal tissue. Being the first to show that blood cells come from a common precursor cell, he is given the most credit in discovering what is known as stem cells (source #7). Stem cells have the ability to change into other cells such as blood, bone, tissue, and muscle cells. R esearchers are trying to better understand these foundation cells to create cures and treatmentsRead MoreControversy in the Use of Embryonic Stem Cells Essay1030 Words   |  5 Pagescan the use of stem cells be so controversial?†, one may ask. If the stem cells are donated out of free will or were going to be destroyed anyway, how can putting them to better use be controversial? Sure, a potential life must be destroyed to save a life, but only before one can tell that it is a human. Should the use of stem cells for medical research and use be regulated? These questions and more will be discussed and pondered throughout this paper. A stem cell is defined as a cell that can changeRead MoreEthical Issues Brought Forth by Stem Cell Research1016 Words   |  4 Pagespotential cure for cancer? Stem cells are the future, but it may come with a heavy price. The potential benefits of stem cells are unbelievable. Stem cells could save many lives. Imagine not having to worry about organ transplants or having diabetes. But stem cells bring many issues with them too. Is killing embryos ever ok? Should cloning be allowed in stem cell research? This is a very complex topic that changes directions every day. Stem cells are unspecialized cells that have the ability to renewRead MorePros and Cons of Cloning Humans906 Words   |  4 Pagespossibility of creating human clones, the idea was still wide debated about the risks and benefits of human cloning. So, what is cloning? Cloning is a process of generating a new organism by an identical genetic copy of the original donor. The DNA of the two organisms will be identical (LaurenÈ›iu, 2012).With the development stage of science, human has been already manufacturing embryonic stem cells, which is beneficial to medical science such as inventing a new therapy for serious diseases. In theRead MoreStem Cell Research And The Arguments For And Against Its Development999 Words   |  4 Pages15010 Millican, Nikki K. SN 30 April 2015 [STEM CELL RESEARCH: AN UNDERSTANDING OF CONTRAVERSY] The meaning of stem cell research, and the arguments for and against its development â€Æ' Nikki Millican Chief Kamman Legalman Accession 15010 29 April 2015 Stem Cell Research: An Understanding of Controversy Stem cells make up every organ and tissue that reside inside the human body. These cells help to regenerate and replace defective tissues and cells that are injured and destroyed within our bodyRead MorePros And Cons Of Stem Cell Research1003 Words   |  5 PagesFoundations Ethics Stem Cell Research Stem Cell Research Explorable.com 1.6M reads 32 Comments Printer-friendly versionSend by emailPDF version Pros And Cons in Research The debate of the pros and cons of stem cell research clearly illustrate the difficult ethics evaluations researchers sometimes must do. All scientists must consider whether the positive effects from their research are likely to be significantly higher than the negative effects. What are Stem Cells? Stem Cells are crucial to developRead MoreThe Debate Of Embryonic Stem Cells960 Words   |  4 PagesEmbryonic stem cells have the ability to grow into any type of cell that your body contains and can potentially aid in curing diseases and or repair many essential things in your body such as a kidney or a lung. This sounds like an extremely favorable advantage to medical advancements but this subject does summon some intense debates on where the stem cells come from. Embryonic meaning that it comes from the embryo veers many people’s opinion to totally protest any use of embryonic stem cells. OpposingRead More Embryonic Stem Cell Research: How does it affect you? Essay1557 Words   |  7 Pages Embryonic Stem Cell Research: How does it affect you? nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp; Embryonic stem cell research is widely controversial in the scientific world. Issues on the ethics of Embryonic Stem (ES) cell research have created pandemonium in our society. The different views on this subject are well researched and supportive. The facts presented have the capability to support or possibly change the public’s perspective. This case study is based on facts and concerns