Stem Cell Researches example essay topic

396 words
The debate is heated over the issue of embryonic stem cells used in medical research to find treatment for diseases such as Alzheimers disease, diabetes, and Parkinsons. This issue is so much like the continuation of the abortion issue debated by pro-life groups and pro-choice advocates. One of the most vocal in this issue is the religious sector, which believes that it is murder to experiment on human embryos and therefore such experiments should be considered illegal under current laws. Some of the embryos used in experiments are excess specimens from infertility laboratories and will later be disposed of anyway, so scientists argue that it would be better to make better use of those embryos than to just simply throwing them away. However, there are experiments that involve actual creation of embryos for stem cell research. Pro-life advocates see violations of moral guidelines in both types of research.

Are embryos regarded as a measure of the symbolic value for the human species? That is the contention of those against the stem cell researches. How much do these embryos represent human life potential? The Pro-life advocates would defend it with all their might. If studies on this continue, does this mean we are treating the human embryo as just a cluster of tissues and cells?

For the advocates of life, the end does not justify the means? Thus, where does the other side of the controversy stand? In the stem-cell controversy, we are left to think thoughtfully about both sides or else we may find that therapeutic can even be problematic? Few people would treat embryos as mere commodities, things that can be bought, sold, traded, and destroyed at a whim.

Contrary to what the pro-life advocates may think, even strong supporters of stem-cell research would tend to accord embryos a level of respect similar to that of animals used in medical research (Kinsley, Michael. 2005). Why would this be the case, especially if one doesnt think that an embryo has rights? Perhaps it is because they may not be adult human beings with the full set of rights and privileges that goes with such a status, but they do represent human life. Treating them like objects could lead to a cheapening of values like parenting and procreation.