Stem Cell Utilitarianism

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Today, 10 million people are diagnosed with a crippling disease known as Parkinson’s. Another 5 million people are diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease, “a progressive disease that destroys memory and other important mental functions.” Treatments are currently being developed for both diseases; however, the most promising treatment has been surrounded by controversy since its discovery: embryonic stem cells. Embryonic stem cells are stem cells derived from a fertilized embryo that has yet to develop into a fetus. Many that are opposed to this treatment claim that the embryo has the same rights that humans have, even though they are not born. While this remains a debatable topic for philosophers, politicians, and scientists to discuss, many supporters of embryonic stem cell research have clung to the ethical theory of utilitarianism. Utilitarianism is an ethical theory that favors events that do the greatest good for the most amount of people and the least harm for the fewest amount of …show more content…

In medical research, animals are being tested with experimental therapeutics before being used on humans. The idea is that if the therapeutic is harmful, an animal trial can catch the defect or flaw before a human suffers. Opposers to this type of research claim that the suffering of animals that encounter these deadly is immoral and unethical. While the suffering of animals is morally wrong in most instances, it can be justified in scientific research because it is benefiting possible humans that need the therapeutic. Through the ethical theory of utilitarianism, the needs of the many with a deadly disease, chronic illness, or suffering loved one outweigh the needs of the few animals being subjected to scientific research. Even when faced with controversy, such as animal trials and embryonic stem cell research, scientific research is justified through

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