Embryonic Stem Cell Research The British Medical Journal, The Lancet, challenged media claims stating that embryonic stem cells are just around the corner. They then quoted Neil Scolding, a neurology researcher at the University of Bristol, saying, “An increasing appreciation of the hazards of embryonic stem cells has rightly prevented the emergence or immediate prospect of any clinical therapies based on such cells. The natural propensity of embryonic stem cells to form tumors and their exhibition of chromosomal abnormalities” (Embryonic). Embryonic stem cells are cells that are obtained from the embryo. While some embryos are grown and only a few days old, others are taken from aborted babies. There are numerous ethical drawbacks to ESCR,
…show more content…
Researchers in favor of ESCR have put forth the argument that an embryo increases its status as a human as it begins to develop (Human). The problem with this argument is that when a person judges the moral status of an embryo simply from he/she’s age we end up making arbitrary decisions about who is human and when they reach that stage of humanity. For example, people don’t label those with missing limbs or those missing part of their nervous system as any less human. Take into consideration babies that are born without certain limbs, as well as those whose nervous systems are severely damaged due to a stroke or some other handicap. These types of people are not labeled as any less …show more content…
The simple problem with this statement is that a child is just as human at the embryonic stage as it is in the infant stage. Although embryos do not contain all the properties of personhood they still deserve the respect and dignity we give others. Those lying in a bed unconscious do not have feelings or signs of personhood at that time. Although those people may not have any signs of personhood, we still treat them with the respect and dignity we give to the average person.
Furthermore, stem cells can be obtained from other sources. For instance, umbilical cord blood stem cells have been promised to provide new and healthy cells by repairing the damaged tissue in one’s body (Rajeev Gupta). A woman that had been paralyzed for 20 years was able to regain the ability to walk after being treated with umbilical cord blood stem cells (Embryonic). This type of stem cell has been used to treat children with blood diseases since 1989 (Rajeev
Researchers in favor of ESCR have put forth the argument that an embryo increases its status as a human as it begins to develop (Human). The problem with this argument is that when a person judges the moral status of an embryo simply from he/she’s age we end up making arbitrary decisions about who is human and when they reach that stage of humanity. For example, people don’t label those with missing limbs or those missing part of their nervous system as any less human. Take into consideration babies that are born without certain limbs, as well as those whose nervous systems are severely damaged due to a stroke or some other handicap. These types of people are not labeled as any less …show more content…
The simple problem with this statement is that a child is just as human at the embryonic stage as it is in the infant stage. Although embryos do not contain all the properties of personhood they still deserve the respect and dignity we give others. Those lying in a bed unconscious do not have feelings or signs of personhood at that time. Although those people may not have any signs of personhood, we still treat them with the respect and dignity we give to the average person.
Furthermore, stem cells can be obtained from other sources. For instance, umbilical cord blood stem cells have been promised to provide new and healthy cells by repairing the damaged tissue in one’s body (Rajeev Gupta). A woman that had been paralyzed for 20 years was able to regain the ability to walk after being treated with umbilical cord blood stem cells (Embryonic). This type of stem cell has been used to treat children with blood diseases since 1989 (Rajeev