Running head: THE ETHICS OF STEM CELL RESEARCH

The Ethics of Stem Cell Research

Amanda M. Wyre

Delaware Technical & Community College

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The Ethics of Stem Cell Research

Stem cell research is a relatively new technology that takes primitive human cells and develops

them into other cells in the human body, including blood cells, brain cells, nerve cells, bone cells

and skin cells. The goal of any stem cell therapy is to repair a damaged tissue that can't heal

itself. This might be accomplished by transplanting stem cells into the damaged area and

directing them to grow new, healthy tissue. It may also be possible to force stem cells already in

the body to work and produce new tissue. Some scientists and researchers say stem cell research

may uncover treatments and possibly even cures for some of the worst diseases including heart

disease, diabetes, and other diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

The ethical issues regarding Stem Cell Research will always be controversial. The principal

argument is between two powerful and persuasive factions of our society: religion and science.

Both have strong opinions on this issue. The means of the stem cell debate is the method in

which embryonic stem cells are protected. The foundation of every argument appears to start

with the question of: “when does life begin?” There is a wide range of opinions on this

argument, each with reliable evidence. Whether it is based on individual interpretations of the

bible and other religious teachings, or scientific studies from before Darwin’s theory of evolution

each side has specific definitions for the beginning of human life. Society tells us that we must

base our own conclusions on one side or the other and that there is no middle. However, a

compromise must be met in order to move forward and establish criteria for ethical stem cell

research.

Stem cells are original cells that divide an indefinite number of times creating several cell types

that have the potential to become an organism. The formation of a stem cell begins within three

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to four days after fertilization. Once fertilized a cluster of cells form a blastocyst. Stem cells can

be extracted from the inner cell of the blastocyst. These cells are known as embryonic and have

the capacity to develop into any of the hundreds of organisms in the body such as heart, skin,

muscle, brain and nerve cells. This has shown guaranteed treatment and cure of diseases such as

Cancer, Parkinson’s disease, Diabetes, brain and spinal injuries and Multiple Sclerosis. No other

research has given as much hope to those who live with no expectation of a cure as with the

study of stem cell research. So why is there so much controversy over using stem cells when it

can save the lives of so many people?

Over past several years, there has been controversy surrounding stem cell research. Members of

Congress and the Senate have placed bills on the desks of former President Bill Clinton, and

President George W. Bush, only to be prevented. The majority of the funding for stem cell

research is through private donations. Because of limited funding resources these companies are

asking the United States Government to pay for their research so that the benefits are available to

millions of people. President Bush prohibited the legislation on this technology stating, “This

bill would support the taking of innocent human life in the hopes of finding medical benefits for

others, it crosses a moral boundary that our decent society needs to respect, so I vetoed it” ( Bash

and Walsh, 2006, para. 4), a response shared by religious and right to life groups worldwide. As

a result there are hundreds of thousands of embryos in storage that are unusable because

President Bush has put certain restrictions on the research of stem cells. The cure for countless

diseases and disorders depend on these and future stem cells. I believe without taking risks there

is no chance for discovery, and the discovery of new stem cell information could mean the

growth of many lives.

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People who are against the study of stem cell research tell us that the destruction of human

embryo is morally wrong no matter the benefits. The majority of religious community believes

that human life begins at the moment of conception. But according to other people the time

when the egg and sperm are combined is the beginning of life. Research has not found

documentation that cited a direct quote from any religious document that has stated this, but it is

a widely accepted hypothesis. Many believe that to step on such a sacred miracle would be

going against God’s divine plan. This argument is strong and should be considered when

debating this issue. However, with all arguments, there are opposing views that must be

considered.

There are hundreds of diseases that will benefit from stem cell research. Devastating diseases

such as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis can use stem cells to repair worn out cartilage.

Heart disease patients can benefit as stem cells produce cardiac tissue to replace damaged

arteries. Burnt victims can have skin cells reproduce themselves rather than going through

painful skin grafts. Nerve cells will grow and replace brain tissue destroyed by diseases and

disorders such as strokes, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Lou Gehrig’s, and spinal cord injuries.

Nerve cells also have the potential to create pancreatic cells for people who suffer from diabetes.

Since the body cannot survive without blood cells, stem cells could be used to restore a person’s

blood system with red and white cells after he or she has undergone cancer treatments. This is

also true for the deadly HIV virus or AIDS. Scientists could create a unique cell found in the

immune system when the HIV kills these cells. Embryonic stem cells have shown promising

results when tested on mice. “In one case at the University of California, a mouse that could not

lift his tail due to a spinal cord injury was injected with embryonic stem cells and regained

mobility” (Philipkoski, 2002, para. 6). It is experiments like this one that give patients with life

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threatening diseases and injuries hope. With all of its promises of treatments and cures there is

still the question of moral and ethical values when it comes to taking stem cells from embryos.

Scientist found alternatives to how stem cells can be successfully extracted from a living

embryo. Rather than obtaining the cells from an in-womb fetus, an embryo can be created

outside of the woman. Though controversy would still exist, this technique it is a solution that

could marry both sides of the isle.

When a couple cannot conceive children, they use in-vitro fertilization as an alternative. During

this process, an artificial environment is prepared for ten or more embryos of which only three or

four are implanted into the mother. The extra embryos can be handled in two ways. They may be

frozen, which comes with the risk of the embryos dying anyway, or they may be discarded

altogether. The late Christopher Reeve (2008, para. 1) stated “The issue is not about ethics. You

really don't have an ethical problem because you're actually saving lives by using cells that are

going to the garbage," He continues, "I just don't see how that's immoral or unethical. I really

don't. The solution to the problem is to donate the excess embryos to scientific research.”

A very thorough view supporting the use of artificial embryos was stated by Bonnie Steinbock:

Since the embryos are killed when the cells are removed, people who support Pro Life

view the cell removal as murder. Most of these embryos will actually never

become a person and some do not even have the ability to do so. Despite their claims, one

must realize that these embryos have no brain, central nervous system, mouth, heart, lungs, or

other internal organs. They cannot see, hear, touch, or taste and have absolutely no

consciousness. Early embryos, indeed early-gestation fetuses, have no consciousness, no

awareness, no experiences of any kind, even the most rudimentary. Without even the

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precursor of a nervous system, pre-implantation embryos cannot possibly have any kind

of consciousness (Steinbock, 2006). This enraged most Pro-Life organizations.

Adult stem cells are now being more thoroughly researched in hopes of eliminating the moral

issues associated with embryonic stem cells. It was once believed that by birth the ability of the

cells to give rise to every tissue was lost. New research has shown how pointless thier view was.

Numerous cells in children and adults have the ability to give rise to a variety of cell types when

put in a specific environment. This may seem like a perfect solution to end the stem cell

controversy, but one must understand the drawbacks of using adult stem cells in comparison to

embryonic cells. Adult stem cells only have the ability to generate into a few types of tissue and

are hard to separate and remove the surrounding cells. Embryonic stem cells are easily extracted

and have the potential to develop into any one of the types of body tissue. This is the reason

scientists are fighting for the funding and continuing of stem cell research. They feel that with

the knowledge they already have about stem cells and further research, they could possibly

change the quality of life for millions of people.

Many advantages can be gained from stem cell research. Scientists are on the edge of

making life-changing discoveries, but are being slowed down due to the restrictions put on their

research. Researchers may use stem cells to explain why we have some cells that grow and

function normally and other which become unhealthy and die. Stem cells are also being used to

test new medicines. Scientists are able to test medicines on cell lines to determine which one has

the most beneficial effects, therefore enabling faster and more efficient drug development. Even

though the public has been unable to see many stem cell discoveries due to the controversy

involved, one must realize that advances are being made. In other countries such as Canada and

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China where laws on research are not as strict, numerous discoveries have been made. We

should encourage the continuing of stem cell research so that we can begin to obtain the benefits.

Although stem cell research has been considered unethical for numerous reasons,

continuing research will prove to be beneficial in the future. Stem cell research, although

arguable to many individuals, is extremely important to the future of our medical world. Stem

cells may unlock the key to curing numerous diseases of millions of people that die each year.

Restricting research funding now will only delay the betterment of lives. “Since the discovery of

the first stem cell growth in 1980’s and 1990’s” (Panno, p. viii), stem cell research has been

considered the biggest medical breakthrough in decades. Stem cell research has gained more

potential over the years and may supply a cure for some of the world’s most deadly diseases.

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References

Cohen, Elizabeth.(2008). “Reeve: Fund Embryonic Stem Cell Research”

Retrieved from: http://archives.cnn.com/2001/HEALTH/07/24/reeve.stemcell.focus

Dash, Dana and Walsh, Deirdre. (2006). Bush vetoes embryonic stem-cell bill. Americas Votes.

Published on 25 September,

Retrieved from: http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/07/19/stemcells.veto/index.html#

Panno, Joeseph, PH.D. (2005). The New Biology: Stem Cell Researcch. New York, NY:

Facts On File, Inc

Philipkoski, Kristen, “Mouse's Tail of Stem Cell Success” Wired News, Published on 11 March

2002, Retrieved from: http://www.wired.com/print/medtech/health/news/2002/03/50951

Steinbock, Bonnie. “Choosing Our Childrens Genes”.(Defining the Beginning and the End of

Human Life: Implications for Ethics, Policy and Law)."

Retrieved from: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9y4r4nokxHs