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Ethics of stem cell research 2016
Stem cells in the medical field
Ethics of stem cell research 2016
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Stem Cell Research Paper
Over the past years, stem cell research has been very famous through the scientific community and the media. Stem cells are pluripotent cells that are present in every single organism on Earth. The power of stem cells are beyond imagination. Stem cells have the power to turn into any type of cells. Some examples are, blood cells, nerves, cardiac muscles, and the list goes on and on. The scientific community has recently taken a large interest in stem cells. They have used stem cells to treat horrible misfortunes that people have been diagnosed with. Some examples of the diseases that are being treated by the use of stem cells are, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, spinal cord issues, strokes, diabetes, damaged organs, and even cancer! However, despite the infinite potential for medical treatments, the topic of stem cells is surrounded by enormous amounts of controversy. The questions that feed the controversy are about how the stem cells are acquired and about how the gained knowledge would be used. However, it is necessary for mankind to keep stem cell research alive in order to save lives while taking care of any unethical topics about it.
There are three ways to acquire a sample of stem cells. The first method is very controversial, which is the extraction of an embryonic cell. This embryonic cell can be extracted from aborted fetuses, with the permission of the woman having the abortion. Most people find it unethical to use the fetuses. However, if you do not use it, it just goes to waste. Why not let the fetus help save someone’s life? The second method to extract stem cells are through umbilical cords. The umbilical cord is rich with stem cells. Blood cells from the newborn baby can be used the moment it...
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... other races. Other people fear that stem cells are too dangerous to play with, thinking that it might cause a new retrovirus or cancer. Some people even believe that we should stop playing “God” and that we should let human nature run its course. However the only way to stop these fears is with more research and study on this subject. Keep in mind that the topic of stem cells is only a few years old.
The potential possibilities and possible lives saved can outweigh the current problems of the topic such as funding or ethics. With new methods of extraction such as extraction through umbilical cords and adult stem cells we can almost forget about the “unethical” fetus method. This field of study can also strengthen the economy by creating new jobs. To sum it all up, stem cell research is a new study with a great potential, however it is in need of a few tweaks.
... research can provide there is a lack of alternatives to stem cell research. Tissue that was harvested from stillborn fetus' typically have a genetic defect or are unusable because the fetus was dead weeks before it was removed from the woman that carried it (O’Neil 118). Scientists would not use "Irregular" tissue because it could lead to unforeseen problems in testing down the line. A study performed by "" showed that miscarried fetuses were only useable for treating patients 3.8 percent of the time (). Doctors in favor of stem cell research believe that allowing the use of aborted fetuses will speed up research leading to breakthroughs that can save many thousands of future lives.
Are stem cells ethical to use in medical research? The most basic cells in the human body are stem cells. Because doctors use stem cells for medical treatment of chronic ailments, stem cells play an important role in human medical research. However, despite the benefits of stem cells in medical treatment, controversy surrounds the methods employed to obtain them. Should researchers continue to use stem cells?
This belief is wrong. Many countries including the United States have laws regarding embryonic stem cells. The United States has limits on when you can take embryos and there off course has to be consent from the donor of the stem cells. All these regulations are being met and the research is being done safely and in a way that always keeps safety as a first priority. New procedures and uses of stem cells also have to be deemed safe or the risks have to at least be shared before treatment can take place. These regulations make sure stem cells are being used in a safe way and that you know the facts about the way researchers are using
According to Courtney Farrell’s overview of stem cell research, stem cells are undifferentiated cells that can be used to fix and replace other kinds of cells that are missing or damaged, and they can be derived from several different sources. The first of these sources, “embryonic” stem cells have been the source of many ethical debates because the process to gain embryonic stem cells involves the destruction of a human embryo in its early stages. Many people find this unethical and think it’s equal to human murder. According to the article by John Pearson, other types of stem cells include adult stem cells, which can be derived from bone marrow in grown adults, and umbilical blood stem cells; these are found in the blood of the umbilical cord after the birth of a baby and are becoming a great replacement for embryonic stem cells.
Benefits of stem cell research can be overwhelming. Today, millions of people around the world suffer from incurable diseases. Stem cell research could help the scientific community find a breakthrough in developing a cure. By observing stem cells develop into mature human tissue, scientists can better understand how embryos develop. “Normal” human development can be recorded. This knowledge can be used to help prevent birth defects, for instance.
Stem cells help us to maintain and heal our bodies, as they are undifferentiated cells, their roles are not yet determined. They have the ability to become anything during early life and growth. Stem cells come from two sources, namely: embryonic stem cells (embryo’s formed during the blastocyst phase of embryological development) and adult stem cells (see figure 3).
Religion isn't the only point against stem cell research but the price of these procedures. the reason this is an argumentative point is that because of the price only the rich would receive this treatment. The cost for these would gradually or should gradually decrease as decades go by. another financial point is since World War Two there has been financial problems with the health care system. It would not help that most of the budget and focus has been not on curing it but the major focus has been to controlling
What if there was a cure for cancer or a treatment for spinal injuries? Would you support the research? What if there was a way that you could repair damaged nerves. Some believe that stem cells may hold the answers to some of these questions. What are stem cells and why should you or I even care about them? Some believe that they are a miracle treatment waiting to happen while others believe that stem cells are highly immoral. Why does so much controversy surround the issue? Why is the conversation of stem cells feared by some and praised by others? To some stem cells are the medical hopes for the future, something for us to hang on to as we do battle with major diseases that include cancer, Parkston’s disease and spinal injuries. To others stem cell researchers are murderers who are trying to play God’s hand. A many have pledged their support to stem cell research including a few well known celebrities. Reeves’, who was best known for his role in the early Superman movies, and J. Fox two well-known celebrities, have pledged to stem cell research, both have created a private fund for the research of stem cells. This celebrity however has not swayed everyone to support stem cell researches cause. Just as there are supporters of stem cells there are those who believe that the use of stem cells is immoral. Since the first stem cells were separated there have been doctors, religious groups and even some political figure head have shown their opposition for stem cell research. Even with the knowledge and promise that stem cells show many of those who truly oppose stem cells have not changed their mind. The question is are their reasons good enough to halt the research of stem cell or are they just holding back what will soon be inevi...
From the discussion above it is very clear that there are different opinions on the pros and cons of stem cell research. Based on the recent researches, scientists have the capability to work out the alternatives for embryonic stem cell research. And the usefulness compare to embryonic stem cell remains unknown. Undeniably, the stem cell research issue has its most complex parts to be resolved and surmounted. But perhaps we can disclose the way to carry out stem cell research with the balance of bioethics and most importantly, do no harm for humankind one day.
Stem cells offer exciting promise for future therapies, but significant technical hurdles remain that will only be overcome through years of intensive research. Stem Cells have the incredible potential to develop into many different cell types in the body during early life and growth. Scientists primarily work with two kinds of stem cells from animals and humans. The embryonic stem cells and the non-embryonic stem cells. Stem cells are the cells from which all other cells originate. In a human embryo, a large portion of the embryo’s cells are stem cells. These stem cells can be used for cell-based therapies. Cell-Based therapies are treatments in which stem cells are induced to differentiate into the specific cell type required to repair damaged or destroyed cells or tissues. Stem cells are versatile and offer the possibility to treat a number of diseases including Alzheimer’s, stroke, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, etc. The problem is that for the process of embryonic stem cell research and embryo will be destroyed if used. This raises a moral issue and questions of whether stem cell research is unethical or not.
Therefore, many parents believe that banking umbilical cord is unique opportunity to save these stem cells in order to guarantee 100% match for their baby in case treatments is ever required6. One of the few disadvantages of this source of stem cells, there are limit amount of haematopoietic stem cells that can be extracted from each cord blood units. In addition, the UCB cells take longer to engraft than do stem cells from more mature sources. This delay leaves the recipients vulnerable to infection. In spite of certain disadvantage cord blood has huge potential in medical treatments3. Likewise, donating cord blood is generous gift that basically doesn’t cause harm or problem to the donors and may save or improve quality of someone’s life4. However, UCB stem cell donation and preservation are endorsed by many world religions. Though, there are many ethical concern including proper informed consent, genetic screening of the donors, autologous & allogenic UCB storage, truth in advertising by private banks and distributive justice6. In addition to cord blood banking, the expectant parents also have a chance to store their new-born baby’s cord tissues. Umbilical cord tissue (Wharton’s jelly) is rich source of umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs)10. It has abilities to self-renew and differentiate into many tissues cellular tissues including adipocytes, osteocytes, chondrocytes, cardiomyocytes, hepatocytes and nerve cells. Their proliferative properties have abilities to migrate at site of inflammation which makes MSCs highly desirable for tissue engendering and cells based
Thesis: Stem Cell research in Parkinson’s disease has been proven difficult due to political and scientific setbacks, but is a promising and effective treatment with those suffering from the disease. This disease has impacted my family in many ways. My father’s father passed away from pneumonia secondary to Parkinson’s Disease in May of 2017, and my mother’s mother is currently battling the disease now. Both have displayed different symptoms throughout their illness, which just shows you how tricky this disease can be. While, Parkinson’s disease isn’t necessarily fatal, the complications that arise are what makes it the 14th cause of death in the United States per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Parkinson’s Foundation).
The stem cell research controversy is one of the major headlines in bioscience and has been discussed and debated numerous times throughout the last decade or so.
These five characteristics are something that the group leader should consider prior to the meeting. While in the planning stages of the meeting, the leader should be sure that they are adhering to these factors such as including the right people. This can also assist the leader while composing an agenda. This may be a helpful tool in guiding the organization and structure of the meeting. This format is especially important for meeting leaders but not limited to them. If all group members are aware of these structure and essential elements, they can be the first step in achieving common goals. If simple goals can be set within meetings such as successfully meeting these requirements, the stepping-stones will be laid to achieve greater things down the road in the process. Enthusiasm is important to the positive attitude in a group meetings and it is best if people of authority present this enthusiasm so they can lead the group and be a positive example (Clark, 1998). This positive attitude can become contagious and other can subconsciously adopt this
Irrefutable aspects of stem cell research pave the way to a consequential practice, in the same instance, it holds promise for life altering implications. The main focus of debate associated with