What Are The Benefits Of Embryonic Stem Cell Research

As science becomes more advanced, research and testing of newly discovered ways to heal the human body often leads to controversy over the moral and ethical dilemmas that present themselves. The controversy over embryonic stem cell research has let to arguments over the funding of such research. Opponents to the research claim embryos are human lives and harvesting stem cells from them destroys the embryo thus kills a human life (SAUNDERS). Proponents argue the tremendous advantages to human health using embryonic stem cells that cannot be realized elsewhere (HUTTO). Stem cells were discovered in 1981 by Dr. James Till and Dr. Ernest McCulloch. These first stem cells were found in mice and in 1998 scientist discovered a way to harvest stem cells from human embryos. Human stem cells can come from embryos and adult tissue. The embryonic stem cells harvested from days old embryos called blastocysts, are nothing more than microscopic balls of about 150 cells (HUTTO). These stem cells are a simple cell in the body that can develop into any one of various kinds of cells. This means they can become blood cells, skin cells, organ cells, etc. Stem cells and their potential uses are very important to advances in human medicine but the advantages they offer cannot be realized without proper funding.
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Not only do we have the potential to find a cure, we have the potential to prevent many of these cases. If embryonic stem cell research does not get funded we will miss out on one of the most advanced breakthroughs in medical history. The research is legitimate and not immoral. No one is proposing taking an embryo from a mother’s womb. The research is done on a lab created embryo that will only be discarded if not used for research. We owe to ourselves to fund this research so that it can it can answer the prayers of countless individuals and families whose lives are burdened with disease and