The Definition of a Human Life In 1998 scientists shocked the world with the discovery of human embryonic stem cells. This sparked curiosity and enlightenment in the eyes of medical professionals everywhere. Nineteen years later the world is riddles with a plethora of controversy, fabrication, and fallacies in regards to the use of embryonic stem cells. Contrary to this, these “super cells” have the growing potential to put an end to many medical disputes. Firstly, to understand the stigma and information behind embryonic stem cell research, there must be a common understanding of what a stem cell is. “Stem cells are a class of undifferentiated cells that are able to differentiate into specialized cell types (The MNT Editorial Team). …show more content…
Secondly, you must know the advantages and disadvantages of embryonic stem cell usage. Since most embryos that are used in ESC research are obtained from IVF treatments, this reduces the rate of embryos that are being destroyed after treatment is over since there can only be one embryo used at a time and cannot be saved. Scientists also now have improved their knowledge in birth defects because ESCs can be turned into models for these birth defects. The wide array of possibilities these cells can achieve are impeccable, from curing cancer to being able to replace damaged tissue all over the body. However, the disadvantages of these cells are where the social stigma occurs. Starting with the possibility of rejection when placed in the body is something many are wary about. This would cause the patient to be put on anti-rejection medication for the rest of his/her life. Another disadvantage being most spiritual people believe in life at the point of conception. Even though the blastula show no physical attributes of a human being and have no chance of developing into a baby unless embedded into the uterine wall, devout Christians still see this as “murder”. Scientists have also not achieved full understanding of the capability of ESC and do not yet know how to control their constant need to divide and form new cells which could result in tumors and large masses of unwanted tissue (Occupytheory). This brings on the
Once there is an understanding of how embryonic cells are taken from the body, it can be explained why they should be used contrary to the beliefs some people have. First, Embryonic cells can cure diseases. For example, if someone is paralyzed, doctors can take an embryonic cell and use this to cure the patient (nih.gov). A man named Rusty Leech, from Michigan, was able to regain sensation in his body, when he previously could not because of a car accident. Two months of physical therapy and embryonic stem cell injections enabled him to regain feeling below his waist again. He has regained limited muscle use to help him go to the bathroom and move his legs a little on his own. “The results were unbelievable, to feel the sensations in my body that weren’t
Human nature is loosely defined as the ways of thinking, feeling, and acting that that tend to come naturally. Our human nature is a mixture of our own personal beliefs and views as well as the perceptions of our surrounding environment and the society we reside in. It affects the way we interpret and present knowledge without realizing it, including our thoughts and actions. Since writing is just a collection of our thoughts and the way in which we interpret the world, our human nature inevitably seeps into our writing. This paper will argue that the Hesiod’s writings, in particular the creation story of Pandora in both Theogony and Works and Days, are heavily influenced by the misogynistic views held by the Greek patriarchal society at the time. The influence of society’s misogynistic views on the portrayal of characters and roles are fully exemplified when comparing the creation story of Pandora to that of her male counterpart and Eve.
Controversy surrounding research and therapeutic use of stem cells has been a contentious and socially polarizing matter for a few decades. Arguments lie largely between the scientific community and the general public, although intragroup disagreements also persist today. These disparate views for and against stem cells arise out of the bioethical implications of an inchoate innovation, the general public’s tenuous understanding of the underlying technology itself, and sociopolitical ideologies. Due to the somewhat aged debate, recent revelations and advancements have changed the principle arguments and should be addressed accordingly.
Embryonic stem cell research is a very controversial topic in today’s world. A stem cell is
Embryonic stem cell research is the incandescent lamp of today's time. on October 21, 1879 in Menlo park Thomas Edison displayed his brilliant creation. Today we don't turn our heads without seeing a light bulb. That sort of success is what embryonic stem cell research can lead to. Edison had predecessors before him who had made incandescent light bulbs and today, we are at that stage. We haven't nearly reached our goal but are just witnessing the miracles of stem cells. In the course of history it has been proven that all great inventions and their inventors are doubted and shunned, is it coincidence that embryonic stem cell research is not supported? It is truly misunderstood. Embryonic stem cell research is simply the process of removing a fertilized egg from a woman then studying the stem cells found in the blastocyst. If support was given to this cause it could create cures and solve many biological mysteries. I have conducted research on this topic and this is fully beneficial to us
In the contemporary world of today, the issue of embryonic stem cell research is one of this controversial significant topic regarding which there is neither fair/moral agreement nor understandable, wide-ranging laws. As far as the ethical debate is concerned, it focuses on the verifiable piece of information that stem cell research consists of destroying the very early embryos of the human beings. The federal government has restricted the financial support for stem cell research to research that makes use of the stem cells obtained from a small amount of stem cell "lines" (Shapiro, 2006).
K. H., Ph.D. (n.d.). Ten Problems with Embryonic Stem Cell Research. Retrieved April 28, 2016, from
Research into embryonic stem cells holds a lot of promise thanks to its recognized potential to treat a wide range of conditions such as physical trauma, degenerative conditions, and genetic diseases. However, human embryonic stem cell research is a controversial issue for many as the creation of embryonic stem cell line requires the destruction of a human embryo. This ethical dilemma has resulted in research being held back as the debate rages on rather it’s right to use embryos in research. Despite this, embryonic stem cell research should be allowed to continue because of its potential.
A brief introduction to stem cells; Stem cells are cells that are undifferentiated, or, simply put, a cell that has not yet been given a job, such as cells that create molecules. In recent years, scientists have discovered the potency that stem cells contain, due to their versatility. For example, stem cells could be studied and used to cure a man of liver disease, a child’s handicap, a woman’s breast cancer, etc…, etc…. One may now be asking themselves? “That’s great… then why are so many people against stem cell research? What could possibly be the drawback? “. You see, stem cells are acquired by human embryos, or, in Layman’s Terms, unborn fetuses. Take for
As modern medicine advances, new techniques such as regenerative medicine can be used to help aid in the treatment of diseases through the use of stem cells ("Stem cells: What they are and what they do" 1). The use of stem cells has been an ongoing debate between whether or not it is actually ethical to use embryonic stem cells, as well as if the embryo has any rights which should be protected. Since it is difficult to place a concrete definition on what exactly makes a person a person, this adds to the controversy surrounding stem cells. The central conflict that is faced when speaking about stem cells is whether or not using the research to help those suffering from diseases is worth using an embryo that possibly could have held life.
While embryonic stem cell research has been ongoing for more than 30 years, it has only become a controversial topic over the past decade. The embryonic stem cell was first isolated in 1981 by two scientists at the University of Cambridge. However, it wasn’t until 1998 at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, where the first batch of embryonic stem cells were created in a test tube. In 2001, President George W. Bush approved the use of federal funding for research on this topic, following this action the stem cell controversy has been developing. The controversy around this topic focuses heavily on the ethical portion of stem cell research rather than the scientific evidence. Stem cell research has shown great promise for potentially
Embryonic stem cell research is widely controversial in the scientific world. Issues on the ethics of Embryonic Stem (ES) cell research have created pandemonium in our society. The different views on this subject are well researched and supportive. The facts presented have the capability to support or possibly change the public’s perspective. This case study is based on facts and concerns that much of the research done on embryonic stem cells is derived from human embryos. This case study will provide others with a more in depth view of both sides of this great debate.
The phrase “stem cell” calls to mind images of controversy: Pro-life picketers outside abortion and in-vitro fertilization clinics, patients with chronic disabilities waiting on a cure, scientists in a lab experimenting with a petri dish. These cells offer unimaginable opportunities for regenerative medicine because they can retain the ability to differentiate. Stem cells are classified as either adult or embryonic. Embryonic stem cells can
What is human nature? It is very simple. Human nature refers to the patterns of behavior that are typical of our species or our kind. Human undergoes change as all humans grow up they nature seems to change; the environment someone grow up in effects that persons nature. To fully understand human nature Dr. Marvin Harris takes us on trip to time, which makes sense because if we better understand our past and our origin we will better understand our very existence and our nature. We will know more about who we are where we are from and such other questions that puzzle the human mind.
“It is a sin to believe evil of others, but it is seldom a mistake.”