Stem Cell Research Controversies Debate

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Over the decades, scientists have been conducting research both in the laboratory and in the field in order to find solution and medical therapy for a number of health infections. This has prompted extensive investments into scientific research and laboratory experiments. Through such investments, a breakthrough has been reported with respect to cure, prevention, vaccination, and treatment of numerous illnesses and medical complications. One of the most recent medical researches that have attracted interest from all the sectors of the society is stem cell. Stem cell research utilizes modern technological advancement in medical therapy to solve health complications. Although this research has been successful, there a lot of controversies that surrounds this research exercise. Some of these controversies are based on ethical considerations and economic factors (Ruse and Christopher 71). Unlike a number of massive investments medical and clinical research with no success, stem cell research is a historic medical breakthrough in the cure of fatal medical and health challenges.

The main controversy surrounding this research is ethical considerations. The debate has focused on taking tissues and body cells from aborted embryos, popularly referred to as Embryonic Stem Cells. The second controversy is founded on the Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPS) which are derived from non-pluripotent cells, including adult somatic cells (Chapman, et al. 23). From the ethical point embryonic stem cell research involves loss of innocent lives through fetus’s abortion. Stem cell research would have devastating effects on good research programs such as nuclear since it may lead to human clone skills. It denies the innocent children the right to life hence, an ethical concern.

Stem cell is one of the technological breakthroughs in the healthcare and medical sciences sector. It has got praises and opposed by some faction of the society in equal measure. The global society considers various factors when analyzing the pros and cons of this scientific advancement in the medical field. This issue is being looked at from different angles on the basis of different social affiliations that people have. The religious community, government agencies, scientists and sociologist all have different views over this subject. The most important thing to underline is that it has positive side and negative effects on the society as claimed by the various stakeholders in the society. The first group that is indisputable beneficiary of this concept is the scientists who have at least seen a progress in their efforts of research and development in the healthcare and sciences sector. Most of these lead scientists believe that this new development is a way forward for the cure of spinal cord injuries, diabetes, the Parkinson’s disease among other dreaded terminal heath conditions. This idea received much support from the society especially those who have experienced the outlined cases that this medical proposition can handle. The increasing trend of emerging medical health challenges makes the technology a well come in the better part of the society (Ruse and Christopher 88). To emphasize the usefulness of this scientific discovery, most of the medical scientists have proposed health promotion in the world to persuade many people to embrace it. This positive argument of the stem cell is on the ground of its usage of knowledge where it is seen as a potential medical remedial measure that will bring humanity closer to cure of many medical conditions. In respect to method involved, the benefits of stem cell in the general welfare of the society far much outweighs the ethical considerations and this is estimated on cost/benefit analysis.

From the old debate that raged over the technique involved in carrying out stem cells, several pros were established. There was an argument of ethical behavior superseding the legal side in the case where a person likely to abort due to some medically acceptable condition could donate the embryo for this economic al use. This is supported by the fact that adult cells are not suitable for the process as compared to the cells of the fetus and this provides a ground of reconciling a potential waste of aborted embryos to life. Further research on the stem cell concept is pivotal in giving greater insight into the basic physiology and anatomy of the body. The governments have spent millions of dollars to fund research and development in various sectors of the economy and healthcare is not exceptional. It is in this spirit of improving the living condition of peoples through sound healthcare policies that they have support fully the new healthcare technology (Parson 56). This is in line with the millennium development goals and a sign of better future through other potential medical breakthroughs. Advances in stem cell provide more information about the alternative reconstruction materials useful in surgery on bones and tissues.

Much as this advancement has been supported, it has equally attracted opposition from some section of the society. Various critics on this technology argue that the idea of using fetus for this process is very unethical and cannot measure up to justify the mentioned benefits. This kind of opposition is more associated with the religious leaders and their faithful troops. It is undisputable fact in humanity that destruction of one life to save another is an abomination and raises substantial ethical questions (Ruse and Christopher 88-9). The point in this case is that it would be better to let embryos grow to full human being and the adult cells be harnessed to serve this role.

The sincerity of the medical scientists about the possible application of this concept to clone transplantable organs is questionable. The essence of life is to accept the authority of God on us and this is the bone of contention between religious believers and the proponents of this medical technology. The religious society therefore rules out any positive role of this idea that explicitly goes against God‘s wish (Parson 67). This has actually led to some sort of silent protest and incitement among some people against this technology and its viability. They hold that stem cell research is likely to be carried into the future knowledge on cloning of human being. It is difficult to say whether there is truth in this but people have experienced the devastating consequences of such scientific research like the nuclear science. They claim that despite positive intention that most of the governments and individuals have put on research and development, they later are manipulated to other things. The case of nuclear disasters and its conversion into production of weapons of mass destruction can be attributed to the same scientific advancements. There is further criticism on the ground that using aborted fetus for such a practice is likely tom promotes the vice of deliberate and dubious pregnancy termination. Use of cost/benefit analysis is socially unfair in the society since it only takes in the commercial consideration rather caring for the socio-cultural factors (Chapman, et al. 128). At the moment people are not even sure that the said benefits are viable on large scale and affordable cost.

In conclusion, advancement of technology in the medical field has is very critical as it helps in improving the quality of healthcare provided to patients. Therefore, although surrounded by controversies, stem cells research has should be encourage and a massive financial resources should be invested in this research. The ethical and religious groups who are opposed to stem cells should embrace the value of this research in improving the quality of healthcare.

References

Chapman, Audrey R., Frankel, Mark S., and Garfinkel, Michele S. Stem Cell Research and Applications Monitoring the Frontiers of Biomedical Research. (2005). American Association for the Advancement of Science and Institute for Civil Society (AAAS).

Cyranoski, D. (June 2007). “Simple switch turns cells embryonic”. Nature 447 (7145): 618–9.

Jain, K.K. (2002). “Ethical and regulatory aspects of embryonic stem cell research”. Expert opinion on biological therapy 2 (8): 819–26

Monitoring Stem Cell Research, (2004). A Report of The President’s Council on Bioethics. Document. Washington, D.C. January 2004.

Panno, Joseph. (2005). Stem Cell Research: Medical Applications and Ethical Controversy. New York, NY: Facts On File.

Parson, Ann B. (2004). The Proteus Effect: Stem Cells and their Promise for Medicine. Washington, D. C.: Joseph Henry Press.

Ruse, Michael, and Christopher A. (2006). The Stem Cell Controversy: Debating the Issues. Amherst, N.Y: Prometheus Books.

Stem Cell Information. (2004). The National Institute of Health (NIH).

Takahashi, K. and Yamanaka, S. (2006). “Induction of Pluripotent Stem Cells from Mouse Embryonic and Adult Fibroblast Cultures by Defined Factors”. Cell 126 (4): 663–676.

West, Michael D. (2005). The Ethics of Genetic Engineering (At Issue Series). (pp 100-107) USA: Thomson Gale.