Lauren Warwick
Rebecca Gunter
Vanessa Trefethen
Biology 101 Group Paper
11-29-17
The Great Stem Cell Debate
Human stem cells and their use are a popular topic of debate in both biology and in today’s society as a whole. There are countless ethical concerns that arise from this issue, and both sides of the argument are widely supported. As students and as members of society, we must take into consideration what we are supporting and allowing to happen. Some individuals believe that the use of any kind of stem cell, whether embryonic or adult, is morally wrong. They cannot see a positive implication of stem cell research. Others believe that there should be no limits or regulations on human stem cell usage. This position is of the opinion that all types of stem cells can be used for good and for preventing and healing many diseases. A third position is that adult stem cell usage is beneficial and ethical, but embryonic stem cell use should be prohibited. People who hold this position recognize the cost and the benefits that each type of stem cell present. Many people are for and many are against each of these positions, and because of this fact, the use of human stem cells is a prominent issue that each individual must evaluate for themselves. We have discussed extensively and conducted ample research on the topic of human stem cell use in research and medicine. We have weighed the benefits and costs in order to arrive at our conclusion. We have concluded that embryonic stem cell use should be prohibited because it results in the death of an embryo, it has an increased possibility for rejection, and it is morally and ethically unsound. In addition, we are in full support of adult stem cell use and research because it can result in the saving of many lives, it has a decreased possibility for rejection, and it does not result in the destruction or termination of any life. In terms of adult stem cell use, we believe that no limits other than consent should be put in place.
To fully understand this issue, one must understand the science behind the use of human stem cells. Without understanding the science, it is impossible to make an informed and educated decision. Stem cells are cells that are not specialized to become a specific type of cell. This means that a single stem cell can become any type of cell in the body. There are three types of stem cells: embryonic, somatic/adult/tissue-specific, and induced pluripotent (Stem Cell Basics I, 2016). Embryonic stem cells are obtained from the blastocyst- a hollow ball of cells that is present 3-5 days after egg fertilization. These cells are a renewable resource because they are considered to be pluripotent, or able to become any type of adult cell (Types of Stem Cells, 2015). Somatic (adult/tissue-specific) stem cells are more specialized than embryonic stem cells. They typically generate different cell types for the specific tissue or organ they are in. Basically, this means that a somatic stem cell from the skin will only generate different types of skin cells. Somatic stem cells can be difficult to find because they do not self-renew in culture like embryonic stem cells do. These stem cells replace cells that are injured or killed (Types of Stem Cells, 2015). Induced-pluripotent stem cells are engineered in the lab by converting tissue specific cells (ex. skin cells) into cells that behave like embryonic stem cells. They are critical tools that help scientists learn more about development and disease onset and progression. Also, induced-pluripotent stem cells are useful in developing and testing new drugs and therapies. These cells can give rise to all cell types in body, but they are not exactly the same as the naturally occurring cells. Induced-pluripotent stem cells are first produced using viruses to insert extra copies of genes into tissue-specific cells (Types of Stem Cells, 2015).
We are in support of utilizing adult/somatic stem cells. We believe that this form of stem cell use is indeed morally correct and ethically sound. However, we are not in support of using human embryonic stem cells. Some advantages of using adult/ somatic stem cells include the fact that using this type of stem cells is completely non-destructive to the individual. No human or animal is harmed at all in the production of somatic stem cells, and in our opinion, this is a very good quality. Also, the DNA of the stem cells is identical to the DNA of the person whose stem cells are removed. This means that there is absolutely no possibility of rejection by the body once the stem cells are utilized (Types of Stem Cells, 2015). Rejection can be utterly devastating to an individual, and it can even lead to death. Avoiding rejection is a top priority when considering the benefits of somatic stem cells. These advantages can have numerous positive implications in health care and in the well-being of countless individuals. If there is an injury or illness in a particular organ, somatic stem cells can be used to regenerate cells that are killed or lost specific to that particular organ. This is a life-saving process that can potentially add many years to an individual’s life. Since utilizing somatic stem cells does not harm or end the life of any person or organism involved, there are no ethical arguments that go against the use of somatic/adult stem cells. The disadvantages to using this kind of stem cells are present, yet not enough to outweigh the positive aspects. One such disadvantage is that these cells are already specialized to a specific type of cell (Types of Stem Cells, 2015). This means that somatic stem cells can only become one type of cell, as opposed to being able to grow into any type of cell. As previously stated, this disadvantage is small in comparison to the many life-saving advantages that are brought about by the utilization of somatic stem cells. If a life can be saved without the cost of another, why would an individual not be in support of somatic/ adult stem cell use?
While we recognize that somatic stem cells can be highly beneficial, we have concluded that the utilization of embryonic stem cells is unethical and should be prohibited. The problem is presented in the name itself: embryonic. Embryonic stem cells come from a human embryo that is about 5 days post-fertilization (Stem Cells: What They Are and What They Do, 2013). The egg and sperm are joined together in a lab, and this creates the embryo in the lab environment. Embryonic stem cells are much easier to grow than their somatic counterparts, but they have a greater likelihood of rejection once implanted in the body (Stem Cell Basics V, 2016). While the cells are not implanted in a mother, these cells still have the potential to become an adult human (Embryonic Stem Cells, 2016). This is enough information in itself to not support the use of embryonic stem cells. In essence, scientists are killing an embryo in order to further their research. Embryos should be given the same respect that any life is given, and due to the fact that these embryos cannot give consent, the use of embryonic stem cells is overwhelmingly unethical. Embryos are alive. A cell is the smallest unit of life, and if this is agreed upon universally, people should be able to see that a cluster of cells is most definitely alive. Consider this: if extracting somatic stem cells killed the adult individual that they were obtained from, that method would immediately lose popularity and most likely become illegal. Embryonic stem cell use kills the embryo, so why is that considered ethical? If a group of cells has the potential to develop into a human, it should be respected and given the same chance to live that any fully-developed human is given. Many people believe that “the process of extracting the cells is then considered to have intentionally murdered that person” (Stem cell research: All Viewpoints, 2014). We do not believe that ending the potential for the life of the embryo can be justified in any way, and thus, we are not in support of the use of this type of stem cell whatsoever.
While somatic and embryonic stem cells may seem very similar at first glance, when we looked closer, we were able to discover how vastly different they are- despite the fact that they are both considered stem cells. After considering all of the facts and data pertaining to these two types of stem cells, we have concluded that embryonic stem cell use is morally and ethically unsound. This is because we have discovered that utilizing this type of stem cell ends up destroying the potential life of an embryo. Despite this opinion, we have decided that adult or somatic stem cell use is totally ethical, and, in fact, very beneficial. These stem cells can be used for the regrowth of vital organs after something along the lines of injury or disease, and it is very clear that this life-saving practice is both ethical and altogether logical. Science has developed the ability to utilize and create amazing discoveries. However, it is very important that we continue to strongly consider the ethical aspects and moral standards behind not only stem cells, but all types of scientific developments. What can be extremely beneficial in one instance can become overwhelmingly detrimental if used in another way, as can be seen through our research on stem cells. To conclude, stem cells are a growing technology in the realm of science and medicine. Their growing popularity presents a need for all educated members of society to consider the pros and cons that have arisen from the use of various types of stem cells. Ultimately, we must weigh the cost of ending the potential for one life against the benefit of saving another.
Works Cited
“Embryonic Stem Cells.” National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services, 2016, stemcells.nih.gov/info/Regenerative_Medicine/2006chapter1.htm.
“Stem Cell Basics I.” National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services, 2016, stemcells.nih.gov/info/basics/1.htm.
“Stem Cell Basics V.” National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services, 2016, stemcells.nih.gov/info/basics/5.htm.
“Stem cell research: All viewpoints.” Human stem cell research: all viewpoints, 2014,
www.religioustolerance.org/res_stem.htm.
“Stem cells: What they are and what they do.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical
Education and Research, 23 Mar. 2013,
www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/stem-cell-transplant/in-depth/stem-cells/ART-20048117?p=1.
“Types of Stem Cells.” A Closer Look at Stem Cells, 2015,
www.closerlookatstemcells.org/learn-about-stem-cells/types-of-stem-cells.