Embryonic Stem Cell Research Argumentative Essay

Improved Essays
Embryonic Stem Cell research (ESCR) evokes immediate controversy because of its intimate connection with human biomaterials. Ethical concerns for this type of research involve human dignity, personal privacy, and autonomy (Knapp). The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy argues that there is a dilemma between the duties to alleviate human suffering and the preservation of potential life. While it is true that research on embryos involved in research become destroyed, the potential therapeutic use is promising. How we view, human embryos is key in making any distinction to this argument. One may argue that the process between an embryo and an infant is a continuous process human development and part of an intimate attachment. While this may be the case inside of the womb, a …show more content…
Take recombinant DNA (rDNA) technology, for example, insulin supplementation for diabetic individuals is possible because of previous experiments involving pigs and other cattle. Other applications of rDNA included the genetic modification for plants (GMOs), such as soy, corn, grains, and many more. The controversy over research particularly with plants and agriculture have become objects scrutiny for good reason. In the 1980 's, scientists from Monsanto began experimenting and producing genetically modified plant seeds from rDNA and additional modification. After successfully breeding plants from seeds that were immune to the company 's pesticide (Roundup), the plants become a dominant monoculture throughout the agricultural industry. Controversy about Monsanto 's business practices arose when the company patented their genetically modified seeds and essentially monopolized the seed industry due to its success. Farmers who choose not to use Monsanto 's seeds had occasionally experienced field contamination from the seeds and were subsequently sued as a

Related Documents

  • Improved Essays

    The process of most stem cell research is executed is with the use of an embryo. According to the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Association (ALS), “embryonic stem cells can be isolated from fertilized embryos less than a week old.” This process has caused some controversy throughout world and many have chosen not to support stem cell research because of this fact. Many people are disturbed by this because the researchers create a human life from an egg and sperm cell to create an embryo and then use the embryo for the stem cells only, then rid of the embryo all together. One would believe that this is murder because of the destruction and death of an early but yet still live embryo.…

    • 1294 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    Embryonic Stem Cell Research Argumentative Paper If you were diagnosed with an incurable disease, would you do everything in your power to save yourself? Would you want to have access to a potentially life-saving treatment? A paralyzed man after a terrible car accident, regained the use of his arms after an experimental clinical study using stem cells (Aldrich).…

    • 1169 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Superior Essays

    Ethical Examination Overall, there is divergence in the opinions of the public, researchers, and politicians in regards to the ethics of embryonic stem cell research and the responsibility of policies in setting restrictions for what is legal and what is funded in this research. As already stated in this paper, the debate does not simple end with a simple explanation. Within the two sides of this debate there are six different ethical positions that are generally recognized. One, all utilization of human embryos for research is wrong (Greely, 2013). Two, surplus in-vitro embryos can be used, but additional ones cannot be made for the purpose of scientific research (Greely, 2013).…

    • 986 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    All great leaps in our society have first met with some moral conflict. Scientists today are facing the use of embryonic stems cells and if their use takes away a human life. It has been proven this small group of specialized cells can treat many diseases that we have battled for some time. In the case of the embryonic stem cell research, it is almost impossible to respect both moral principles of respecting the value of a human life and to prevent or alleviate suffering. These two principles are what have created the debate on embryonic stem cell research and use.…

    • 797 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    When I started to think of embryo research and how I felt about it I began to feel unsure. I am unsure if I am against embryo research, but I am against destroying an embryo. I do feel doing researching on embryo’s could be beneficial for possible medical advantages, medical treatments for disorders such as down-syndrome and could help teach us to understand why doing embryo research could be a benefit. Though there are benefits to embryo research I am fully against destroying them. Though embryos are not a human life, yet it can be.…

    • 539 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    One of the most debated topics in science is the use embryonic stem cells in scientific research. The ethical debate surrounding embryonic stem cell research comes down to two core values that we want to uphold: the alleviation of human suffering and preserving the inherent value of human life. Embryonic stem cell research is such a tricky topic because it requires us to choose between these two core values. We cannot uphold both values because the alleviation of suffering in this case is accomplished by the destruction of a human embryo, which would normally have the potential to develop into a new individual. Thus, we must fully examine both sides of the argument in order to understand the ethical implications of this issue.…

    • 1754 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Do you know someone with a disease like Alzheimer’s or diabetes? These people are in pain and having to struggle everyday knowing that, at this moment, there is not a cure for their illness. Doctors and scientists have been trying to fight these stubborn illnesses for decades, and were successful in finding a lead in 1998; which led to the development of embryonic stem cell research. The use of these stem cells, which are cells that can conform to any use or function that they need to, have been leading the way to help make great advances in medicine. Embryonic stem cell research should be viewed as a positive treatment option for patients.…

    • 633 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    I personally believe that embryonic stem cell research is an important investment for the future. Stem cells are cells that are able to develop into different types of cells. Stems cells have the potential to be used to cure many diseases. There are also other uses for stem cells like organ repairs. Even though they would be so beneficial, there is an ethical debate.…

    • 758 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    “The average person doesn't understand what a stem cell is. There's a lack of health literacy in our nation. So the public can't really get into this dialogue because they don't understand the complexity of stem cells, not the faith-based approach, not the ideological or political, but the science behind stem cells.” Richard Carmona Stem cells are an incredible type of cell that is able to develop into many different cell types in the body. When a stem cell divides, it has the possibility of being a stem cell or become a different type of cell that would undergo a certain function such as a muscle cell in the heart.…

    • 984 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Great Essays

    Embryonic Stem Cell is Pertinent to Finding Cures Diseases, sicknesses, burns, and infections: how can this world ever be cured? It was not until recently in 1998 when a promising cure was discovered, the embryonic stem cell (ESC). According to Christine Watkins in one of her social issues books titled Human Embryo Experimentation, ESC was discovered by both James Thomson at the University of Wisconsin and John Gearhart at the University of Pennsylvania (10). Thomson, a director of regenerative biology, and Gearhart, director of the Institute for Regenerative Medicine, each separately disclosed that they have successfully grown the first human pluripotent stem cell lines. These cell lines contain cells that can divide endlessly and differentiate, otherwise also known as human embryonic stem cells.…

    • 2451 Words
    • 10 Pages
    Great Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Because the field of regenerative medicine is so new, the lack of federal regulation in relation to the harvesting of stem cells research is laden with ethical concerns, particularly regarding the ideas of personhood, human dignity, and justice toward humankind that arise from dealing with human life in one of its earliest forms, the embryo (Brind'Amour). Due to the sporadic and inconsistent nature of these regulations, many institutes avoid research, afraid to participate in the highly controversial research. However, the advent of induced pluripotent cells in regenerative medicine greatly decreases the need for stem cells. This decreased need will, with proper regulation, should eliminate the ethical walls that have dogged the field of regenerative…

    • 737 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Nearly every disease known to man has the capacity to be treated or further understood through knowledge gained in stem cell research. While humans have come far in preventative measures and treatments for many types of disease, there are still many that take people from their families and friends every year. However controversial, stem cell research has greatly improved our understanding of the human body, and it is that research that will finally lead to the demise of the diseases many suffer from. Stem cell research has the potential to treat various neurodegenerative diseases, repair damaged parts of the body, and eradicate cancer. Parkinson’s Disease, a debilitating neurodegenerative disorder brought upon by neuronal cell death, displays…

    • 857 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Although, while few argue over the possible benefits of stem to help treat illnesses and disease many debate whether it is ethically acceptable to destroy an embryo to obtain embryotic stem cells or ESC. One side of the argument are people who think life begins at fertilization and that they should be given the same right as any person; the other side doesn’t…

    • 697 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    Revolutionary but Controversial As our world advances, so does technology, medicine, and everything around us. Although we are not prepared for the advancement of technology and various of us lack knowledge about it, it won’t stop improving; therefore, it is important for us to be well informed about what is happening around us. As for the medical field, new forms of treatment are always catching the public eye. Questions like whether the treatment is safe, ethical, or if it simply works, are always being asked. People are currently discussing the ethical issue that surrounds stem cell therapy.…

    • 2062 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Great Essays

    In addition, stem cells may be used by scientist to better understand why some cells develop abnormally thus preventing birth defects and cancer. Stem cells have created major controversy, those who oppose stem cell research state that stem cell research is wrong because it involves the destruction of human embryos and others consider stem cell research as a dehumanizing practice which can lead to embryo farms and cloned babies. Is it acceptable for us to use embryos so that they may be used for biomedical research and clinical purposes? This paper will examine utilitarian and non-consequentialist theories regarding this ethical dilemma of stem cell research.…

    • 1618 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Great Essays