![]() ![]() The US government strictly prohibits any activity of stem cell research or human cloning.This is because, both the embryo and comatose people lack self-awareness, cannot feel anything, and are also unable to process their feelings. Destroying an embryo can be compared to that of killing a comatose person.Hence, the argument supporting its use for saving another life doesn’t hold much depth. An important argument against using these cells for research is that such an activity involves deliberate attempts to destroy human life, and this cannot be justified.The following points should make us aware of the limitations of embryonic stem cell research. The same genetic disease that is to be treated might occur in the adult cells. The adult stem cells are not a good alternative to embryo stem cells, as they fall short in the treatment of genetic diseases.It is argued that at this stage, the embryo is not developed enough to assign it a personal identity it is just a mass of cells. The embryonic cells used for research are harvested 5 – 7 days after conception.It is simpler to grow these cells in comparison to adult stem cells.This is because the embryonic ones are easier to identify, isolate, and can be purified without much problems. The embryonic stem cells provide researchers with greater advantage in comparison to adult stem cells.There are about 100 – 150 million people in the United States, who can benefit from the stem cell derived therapies and treatments, thereby finding a solution for their health problems.The arguments supporting the research of embryonic stem cells are presented below. According to the former group, the use of embryos is considered to be immoral on the grounds that it destroys a life in the initial stages of development. The debate over the use of these cells for research has been raging between religious groups and scientists. Embryonic cells have the ability to reproduce any other cells present in the body. This research can be useful in finding cure for health problems like Parkinson’s disease, diabetes, stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, organ transplantation, spinal cord injuries, birth defects, etc. Pros and Cons of Embryonic Stem Cell Research Protesters of this kind of research are against the killing of embryos, and have tagged this activity nothing but short of a murder. In the process of carrying out research activities, the embryo gets destroyed. Patients could be exploited by paying for expensive treatments and being given false hope of a cure as stem cell therapies are only in their developmental stages.The debate over stem cell research arises from the allegation that using an embryo for study purposes is unethical.Much of the research is being carried out by commercial clinics, so reported successes are not subject to peer review.Whether the benefits of stem cell research use outweigh the objections.Educating the public about what stem cells can, and can't do, is important.At what stage of its development should an embryo be regarded as, and treated as, a person?.Embryos could come to be viewed as a commodity, and not as an embryo that could develop into a person.For therapeutic cloning, is it right to create embryos for therapy, and destroy them in the process?.A source of embryonic stem cell is unused embryos produced by in vitro fertilisation.Cultured stem cells could be contaminated with viruses which would be transferred to a patient.Mutations have been observed in stem cells cultured for a number of generations, and some mutated stem cells have been observed to behave like cancer cells.The difficulty in obtaining and storing a patient's embryonic stem cells.The difficulty in finding suitable stem cell donors.There is no guarantee of how successful these therapies will be, for example in the use of stem cells in healing damage caused by Parkinson's disease.Some variables which would be considered when discussing stem cells include: Clinical issues Sometimes, there are no right or wrong answers. It is important to obtain a balanced view. They will also depend on whether the stem cells are to be used for therapy or research. These issues will be different for growth and transplant of adult stem cells, embryonic stem cells and therapeutically-cloned stem cells. There are clinical, ethical and social issues with their use. ![]() treating patients with currently untreatable conditions.Benefits and risks associated with the use of stem cells in medicine ![]()
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