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. Laurie Zoloth sums it up in this statement during an interview with NPR,
“Beyond the question of life’s biological beginning, we need to also decide when our moral obligations to others begin- in this case, to others who suffer and whose own lives are at stake.”
Many argue that a human or soul begins at conception, the moment that a sperm and egg meet. The moment that a stem cell is harvested is usually around the fifth day after conception from a now formed blastocyst. This cluster of cells has the potential to be carried to full term even though in nature the odds are stacked against it. However, it only has the chance to become a human life if it is implanted in the uterus. Researchers aren’t taking cells from a developing fetus that has a heartbeat and brainwaves. They are …show more content…
Blood forming stem cells can treat some blood diseases, and some brain stem cells may be able to treat some neural diseases and so on. The benefit from embryonic stem cells is that every cell in the human body is derived from the first few stem cells formed in the early stages of embryological development. Therefore, embryonic stem cells can be used to any desired cell type. This is the most important factor for harvesting cells so
“Beyond the question of life’s biological beginning, we need to also decide when our moral obligations to others begin- in this case, to others who suffer and whose own lives are at stake.”
Many argue that a human or soul begins at conception, the moment that a sperm and egg meet. The moment that a stem cell is harvested is usually around the fifth day after conception from a now formed blastocyst. This cluster of cells has the potential to be carried to full term even though in nature the odds are stacked against it. However, it only has the chance to become a human life if it is implanted in the uterus. Researchers aren’t taking cells from a developing fetus that has a heartbeat and brainwaves. They are …show more content…
Blood forming stem cells can treat some blood diseases, and some brain stem cells may be able to treat some neural diseases and so on. The benefit from embryonic stem cells is that every cell in the human body is derived from the first few stem cells formed in the early stages of embryological development. Therefore, embryonic stem cells can be used to any desired cell type. This is the most important factor for harvesting cells so