Stem Cell Research: Justifications and Criticisms
Among the controversial questions being asked from politicians during their campaigns is their stance concerning stem cell research. How must the government address this issue? Should medical research on stem cells be regulated by the government or should legislation be formulated to address its varied moral implications?
What do average Americans really know about stem cell research and its impact on their lives and future? The stem cell controversy has similarities to the pro-life and pro-choice issues. Some people fully support stem cell research because they believe it will lead to the saving of millions of lives. On the other hand, it is highly criticized by people who see it as a form of murder of children.
In the first place, where do the embryos used in stem cell research come from? Most of these embryos are left-over embryos from infertility clinics. The couples who sought help from these clinics donate these left-over embryos to research. If not donated, these embryos may be preserved, adopted by another couple, or destroyed.
The embryos left-over from infertility treatments are frozen a few days after they are conceived. They do not have the capacity to live on their own in this very premature form. Legally, they are not considered alive either as they are not yet breathing. The question is who decides the fate of these embryos?
The embryos are the building blocks of people, yet, they have no rights themselves. Whom do they belong to? Who is responsible for ensuring they are taken care of? Many consider the embryos being used in research as the same category as murder. Is it actually murder when the child is never born, and is only conceived in a test tube? Who should really make the decision about how these embryos should be handled?
The research value of embryos comes from the fact that this stage is a rich source of stem cells, which have the potential for curing varied diseases and medical conditions. Is it morally acceptable to use these stem cells for generating body parts and organs to help people with specific illnesses?
The current administration has tried to place a ban on this research and block the use of the embryos. This has upset many supporters who feel this research is vital to the survival of the human race, while those who digress the ideas are upset that is has not been banned fully yet. Where is the better side to stand? Should we allow the government to meddle into the scientific aspects of medicine, or should we continue the research to save thousands, or millions of lives?
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