Embryonic stem cell research is a fairly new and
controversial topic right now. In 1998, just eighteen years ago, human
embryonic stem cells were isolated and grown for the first time. So why is it
such a heated topic? Let’s start with the facts. Embryonic stem cells are
extracted from human embryos that have been fertilized in-vitro, meaning
outside the human body. These types of stem cells can only be found in the
early stages of the embryo development. 5-7 days after the sperm and egg join,
the embryo develops and becomes a blastocyst. It is at this point where they
remove the inner cell mass in order to obtain the embryonic stem cells. Many
people consider this process abortion because scientists/doctors are killing
potential lives. However, others believe that embryonic stem cells are the
future to finding cures and saving lives for those who have diseases like
cancer, Alzheimer’s, diabetes, Parkinson’s, etc.
It’s understandable why many are against
embryonic stem cell research. One of the arguments that many people hold is
that not much progress has been made. Others argue that there are alternative
methods that could be used such as using adult stem cells rather than embryonic
stem cells. Some even say that the embryo is not being respected nor given any
rights. In all honesty, those opinions are easy to agree with.
It’s true, not much advancements have been made
with embryonic stem cell research. It is also true that there are other methods
that work just as well, if not better. However, let’s remember that embryonic
stem cell research has only been around for eighteen years. We must also take
into consideration that “in 2001, President George
W. Bush restricted federal funding for research on stem cells obtained from
human embryos”(Park). This restriction was not lifted until 2009,
meaning that there was a period of time, 8 years to be exact, where no
advancements could be made due to this ban. There is a high possibility that
embryonic stem cells could become the cure to many horrible diseases, we just
have to be patient and give doctors and scientists time to research.
So what about alternative methods
you may ask? Yes, adult stem cells are successful and do not require the use of
embryos. However, adult stem cells can only do so much. As stated by the U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services, “Embryonic stem cells can become
all cell types of the body because they are pluripotent. Adult stem cells are
thought to be limited to differentiating into different cell types of their
tissue of origin,". We must understand that scientists are so
interested in embryonic stem cell research because of the freedom they have
with them. With embryonic stem cells they have no limits, implicating that they
are able to do so much more than they are with adult stem cells.
Respect is also a common argument when discussing
the use of embryonic cells for research. Why aren’t the embryos treated like
actual humans? Why are aren’t they being respected and given rights? We can all
agree that lives matter, especially that of a baby’s. However, the embryo is
not a baby. In fact, the embryo is merely a cluster of cells. As seen in the
picture above, this cluster of cells has not yet become a baby. There is no
body, no brain, nor heart functioning. No way to take away the life of a
baby when there has not been a baby formed yet.
In conclusion, I am not here
to force you to be pro-embryonic stem cell research. My goal here is to have
you consider this type of research. I want you to see how beneficial it could
be and how many lives it could save. Imagine this, one of your loved ones has a
disease that causes excruciating pain or a disease that will eventually kill
them. Wouldn’t you want to try everything in order to help them? In order to
take them out of their pain or help them live a longer, healthier life?
Considering the idea of embryonic stem cell research could help save not only
millions of lives, but the lives of your closest and dearest loved ones.
Citations
- Park, Alice. "George W. Bush and the Stem Cell Research Funding Ban." Time. Time, 20 Aug. 2012. Web. 09 Dec. 2016.
- NIH Stem Cell Information Home Page. In Stem Cell Information [World Wide Web site]. Bethesda, MD: National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2016 [cited December 9, 2016] Available at < //stemcells.nih.gov/info/basics/5.htm>
- White, Deborah. "Pros & Cons of Embryonic Stem Cell Research." About.com News & Issues. N.p., 18 Oct. 2015. Web. 09 Dec. 2016.
