Embryonic stem cell research has been a controversial topic since the year 1998, whenever doctors had learned how to remove stem cells from human embryos. ( “The Stem Cell Debate,” 2018) Embryonic stem cells are stem cells obtained from the undistinguishable inner mass cells of a human embryo. (“Embryonic Stem Cell,” 2018) The question facing both scientists and policymakers is which is more valuable, the life of a human suffering from a possible life-threatening ailment or injury, or the life of a potential human at only one week of development? (Rebecca, 2013) Many individuals, including myself, agree that embryonic stem cell research should be investigated further. Embryonic stem cell research has multiple benefits to us as humans, including treating various medical problems, discovering other methods that do not involve using embryonic cells themselves, (“Pros and Cons,” 2018) and it can also aid in the elimination of the need for organ donation and rejection. (Harper, 2018)
Medical issues are prevalent all over the world, many of which there are no cure for. Embryonic stem cells have been researched to potentially help treat and alleviate diseases including Parkinson’s, Alzheimer's, and even certain birth defects. (“Pros and Cons,” 2008 ). Whenever a stem cell transplant takes place, the stem cells are first distinguished into the necessary adult cell type, after the cells are distinguished, the now mature cells replace damaged tissue caused from disease or injury. This type of treatment can be used to replace neurons damaged by spinal cord injuries, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson’s disease, produce insulin that could treat individuals with diabetes, and replace virtually any tissue or an injured or diseased organ (“The Power of,” 2016) There are also embryonic stem cell based therapies, that could potentially provide clues on how scientists and doctors could induce heart muscle to repair itself after a heart attack, and even be used to study disease, identify new drugs, or screen drugs for potential side effects.
Embryonic stem cells are not the only source of stem cells. The fear of a potential human life being taken away due to stem cell research can be eased, due to there being multiple methods of discovering and researching stem cells. Individuals do not realize that aborted fetuses are not the only source of stem cells. Stem cells can be found in both the placenta and the blood contained within the placenta. In fact, the primary source of stem cells is found within blastocysts, or fertilized human eggs not implanted in a woman. Researchers have also found more ethical methods, such as Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPS). iPS are artificially obtained from a non-pluripotent cell such as adult somatic cells. (“Pros and Cons,” 2008) Somatic cells are any cell of a living organism that is not a reproductive cell. (“Somatic Cell,” 2018) This is an important advancement in stem cell research, without the controversial use of embryos. (“Pros and Cons,” 2008)
Organ donation first began in the year 1954, with the first ever successful kidney transplant in a human. (“UNO’s beginning,” 2018) It is known the demand for organs outnumbers the supply, due to the limited amount of organ donors. With the demand expected to increase in the upcoming future, it is obligatory that new technology is discovered to aid in the need for organs. With the use of embryonic stem cells, the damaged or diseased organ tissue can be replaced. (Harper, 2018) However, when an organ transplant takes place, there is a risk for the body to reject the organ given. With the help of Harvard Apparatus Regenerative Technology, a patient’s own stem cells are infused into the transplant tissue before the surgery takes place. This causes the body to believe the new organ is actually its own, due to it containing the bodies original stem cells. (Borchers, 2013) With the use of embryonic stem cells, the need for an organ donor may no longer be needed.
The use of embryonic stem cells for research can be truly ground-breaking. These cells have so much potential to helping us as humans, from treating medical ailments and diseases to preventing the need for organ donors and rejection. One may believe that the use of embryonic stem cells is taking away a potential human life, however, one potential life could save thousands and thousands more. It is understandable that this is a controversial topic, but as an individual, I believe that Embryonic stem cells should be used for research. My final question being, do you agree or disagree with “embryonic” stem cell research?
References
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Defining a Life: The Ethical Questions of Embryonic Stem Cell Research (Revised). (n.d.). Retrieved from https://my.vanderbilt.edu/almosthuman/2013/04/defining-a-life-the-ethical-questions-of-embryonic-stem-cell-research/
Discussion for Stem Cell Research. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://explorable.com/node/643/discuss
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History. (2018, April 06). Retrieved from https://unos.org/transplantation/history/
Rathe, J. (2013, November 18). Stem cells from patient may stop immune system from attacking transplanted organs – The Boston Globe. Retrieved from https://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2013/11/18/stem-cells-from-patient-may-stop-immune-system-from-attacking-transplanted-organs/HjhSGLT1bNTnO2XBsjjIZN/story.html
Somatic cell. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.dictionary.com/browse/somatic-cell
The Stem Cell Debate: Is it Over? (n.d.). Retrieved from https://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/stemcells/scissues/
C. (2016, February 29). The Power of Stem Cells. Retrieved from https://www.cirm.ca.gov/patients/power-stem-cells