My Opinion

Stem cell research is a massive argument encompassing numerous groups of people and views.  Some believe that stem cells may have the potential to cure some of the most deadly diseases of our time.  While others believe that it is a crime to kill innocent life for the benefit of others.  I believe that stem cells are paving the path for the future of Medicine and Health.  Yes, it is somewhat immoral to kill one life to save another, but if people will continue to have abortions then why not use that life to save another.  It is not like people are just going out and killing fetuses like serial killers, and then using them for stem cells.  Also Embryonic stem cells, which are the controversial side of stem cells, are not the only method to obtain these extraordinary cells.  Umbilical cords, bone marrow, and cells from the spinal cord, among others gathered from adult cells, can be used for stem cells, and have had greater results than that of Embryonic stem cells.  With more research upon all of these different methods, who knows what could be cured or what could be prevented.  The number of lives which could be saved from this technology is uncountable.  Stem cell research could be the most important new development in mankind since the discovery of fire.

A New Perspective on Stem Cells

In the article entitled “Arguments Against Embryonic Stem Cell Research” the author affirms that embryonic stem cells are immoral to use, and that there are other methods which are more effective.  First the author establishes that,” An embryo is actually a human; it should be valued as highly as a human life.”  Like many others in the community against Stem cell research, the author believes that life begins at the point of conception, and a person no matter how big or small cannot be stripped away of life, or the possibility of it.  Secondly he contends that,” Embryonic stem cells should be abandoned in favor of alternatives, such as those involving adult stem cells.”  Adult stem cells have produced more promising results than the more highly tested embryonic stem cells.  Lastly, it is stated that, “Scientists have long promised spectacular results from embryonic stem cell research, and this has not yet occurred.”

http://bootstrike.com/Genetics/StemCells/arguments_against.php

Although I have been leaning more toward the pro side of all types of Stem cell research, this article threw me off a little bit.  It brought up a whole new dilemma.  It really hit me in this article that there are more productive and effective ways to obtain stem cells, not only from unborn fetuses. It made me see this argument in a whole new light.  It made me see that people aren’t just against stem cell research in general, but some who know their facts, are merely against Embryonic Stem cell research.  Although I may not fully side with this point of view, it made me question where I stood on the matter even more.    

For Stem Cell Research

In the article” Pro Stem Cell research”, the author makes the assertion that the future of stem cells out-weighs the negatives encompassing it, because of the number of lives it will possibly save.  Firstly the author addresses that stem cells have the, “potential to cure many life threatening diseases including Leukemia, Diabetes, and Parkinson’s.”  Secondly the usage of stem cells would allow the safe practice of drug testing.  For example new medications could be tested upon these stem cells and could even be used to test anti-tumor drugs.  Lastly,” Perhaps the most important potential application of human stem cells is the generation of cells and tissues that could be used for cell-based therapies.”  Stem cells would have the potential to be inserted to a troubled spot in the body, and generate other cells like the others around it.  This would easily be able to heal torn muscles, broken bones, or even diseases.

http://articles.mibba.com/Health/2982/Pro-Stem-Cell-Research

            Stem cells are scientifically proven to be able or have the potential to heal the body.  Why would we not use this opportunity?  Catholics and other anti-abortion groups argue that stem cell research is immoral and unjust and that those embryos being killed are also life.  But they have only the single story.  Not only are stem cells derived from embryos, where they have the most potential of curing abilities, but they also come from other parts of grown developed bodies.  Stem cells also come from umbilical cords, spinal cords, and bone marrow, of adults.  Yes the most potential comes from embryonic stem cells because of the unwillingness of people to have stem cells taken from their own bodies, due to the rough nature of the procedure.  If the scientists were to give into the media, church, and anti-abortion clinics who oppose this revolutionary science, thousands of lives would be lost, which would have been able to been saved.  It is similar to somewhat of a joke I heard once.  A man was lost at sea and he prayed for God to save him.  Three ships passed him and each time a man from the ship asked him if he need help, and the man in the water replied, “No, God will save me.” So the man died and went to heaven and said to God, “Why did you not saved me, I prayed for your help.  And God said,” what do you mean? I sent three boats passed you.”  To me If God did not want us to use this technology to cure others of terrible ailments, then he would not have inspired someone on this earth to think of the idea. 

Do the Causes Outweigh the Affects?

In the article," The Cons Of Stem Cell Research," Dr. Fran Manista asserts that the use of embryotic cells is hazardous to man down to every last, microscopic molecule in our bodies.  Firstly Dr. Manista points out the blatant ethical problems in the field of stem cells.  Also, he contends that the practice of these stem cells proves to be unstable.  Lastly, the research of stem cells is not thorough enough to prove the plausibility that it would be effective and healthy for humans; that the difficulty and making these suitable for the human body would be an extremely difficult affair to accomplish.

https://www.msu.edu/~mituslau/atl/review4.html
            Although the benefit of stem cells could be great, there would need to be human test subjects, for the plausibility of the testing to be proven.  And with no-one on the verge of wanting to risk their life for science, at the moment I believe that this research would something very difficult to strive for.  At this point in my research, the causes do not seem to out way the effects.  Also it would take hundreds, or even thousands of dollars to just produce a tiny amount of these cells, which we do not know may even be stable, in the long run, for our bodies.  Also, going to the ethical, moral side of the argument, is morally wrong to end the life of any human.  Life begins at conception; therefore these are all human beings.  Although one day, maybe this may cure many lives, does ending another curing life out way healing another?  Do the causes outweigh the affects?

Why Stem Cells?

There are many reasons to be excited about a topic so debated as this one.  The reason I was drawn toward this topic is one of great content and compassion.  Having people in my life who I know who have abused substances such as alcohol and tobacco and the effects that this has on the body, the effectiveness of stem cell research on the body proves that it may be able to help repair the tissues damaged in the acts of abuse.  I have seen first hand what happens to the people who take part in such acts and have seen how much differently they act after the many years of the continual behavior; especially memory loss.  With the new technology that stem cells has to offer, these destroyed parts of the brain or another other tissue in the body damaged for any other reason, can be repaired.  We could cure hundreds of diseases, cancer and even aids at one point.