Why the Pros of Embyonic Stem Cell Research Outweigh the Cons

Former U.S. senator John Danforth once said "My entire political career, I voted pro-life, and that is exactly why I favor the stem cell initiative. I believe in saving human life. I want cures to be found." For decades, embryonic stem cell research has been a topic of much controversy. According to a poll by The Charlton Research Company in 2005, 58% of Americans favored embryonic stem cell research whereas 39% opposed it. However, organizations such as the National Right to Life Committee and the Center For Reclaiming America are in opposition. The opposition to embryonic stem cell research is limiting scientific developments resulting in the loss of many lives.

According to the National Institute of Health, stem cells are unspecialized cells capable of renewing themselves through cell division, sometimes after long periods of inactivity. Second, under certain physiologic or experimental conditions, they can be induced to become tissue or organ-specific cells with special functions. Research on stem cells continues to advance knowledge about how an organism develops from a single cell and how healthy cells replace damaged cells in adult organisms.

The general public often misconstrues the process of harvesting or creating stem cells. People who oppose embryonic stem cell research argue that the means of obtaining stem cells for research are unethical. Scientists are aware of the public concern for morality and ethical issues. What people commonly misunderstand is that stem cells from human embryos are not taken from eggs fertilized inside a woman's body (Stem Cell Basics 2005). According to Michael Goldstein of Pennsylvania State University, the stem cells are actually taken from eggs left over from in vitro fertilization, which occurs in a laboratory at an in vitro fertilization clinic. By the time the stem cells are harvested, they are known as a blastocyst and are approximately five days old. A blastocyst is simply a large clump of cells. It is important to note that these cells are all identical and do not resemble body tissue that is recognized as human. These cells have no nervous system or circulatory system rendering them incapable of self-awareness or the desire to exist. The Supreme Court of the United States held in Roe v. Wade that pre-natal life, including an embryo, is not a citizen of the United States as defined by the Constitution and therefore is not guaranteed any rights under the Constitution. This includes the right to life.

Diseases that were once seen as incurable, such as diabetes, are now on the verge of being cured. According to the National Diabetes Statistics Fact Sheet, diabetes contributed to over 200,000 deaths in the U.S. in 2000. Reporter for US News & World Report, Lindsay Lyon, noted that scientists have reported that they have coaxed human embryonic stem cells into becoming insulin-producing, blood sugar-regulating cells in diabetic mice. The goal is to replicate this for people. The conflict, as people who are against embryonic stem cell research point out, is that the human body naturally rejects and attacks foreign cells. However, scientists say that the advantage of embryonic stem cells is that they can potentially be engineered to express the appropriate gene and reduce the chances of being detected by the body's immune system (7. Stem Cells and Diabetes).

Embryonic stem cell research may lead to the cure for cancer. Stem cell researchers at the University of Minnesota have coaxed human embryonic stem cells to create cancer-killing cells in the laboratory, paving the way for future treatments for various types of cancers (Buss). It is important to note that in several tests with mice, the embryonic stem cells developed into tumors. Scientists, however, claim that this can be avoided with more research. Embryonic stem cell research has already helped many people. In fact, physicians have successfully treated spinal cord injuries. People, who thought they were doomed to sitting in a wheel chair for the rest of their life, are now able to walk again. Also, there is hope that with further research, stem cells may possible be able to cure heart disease.

There is stem cell research that does not present as many ethical dilemmas. There is ongoing research involving adult stem cells as well as stem cells extracted from umbilical tissue. Adult stem cells are taken from the blood or organs of healthy adults. These cells, however, are marginally helpful to scientists and do not show the same promise as stem cells culled from embryos. Adult stem cells do not seem to grow or replicate as quickly as their younger counterparts. Embryonic stem cells can become all cell types of the body because they are pluripotent. This means that they are capable of affecting more than one organ or tissue and are not fixed as to potential development. Adult stem cells are thought to be limited to differentiating into different cell types of their tissue of origin.

It is apparent that significant technical hurdles with embryonic stem cell research remain but will only be overcome through years of intensive research. Support for stem cell research is growing however. From July 2001 to May 2003, the number of people morally opposed to stem cell research dropped from 54% to 38% (Nisbet 2004). It is believed that the growing support for embryonic stem cell research is due to the public becoming more informed about the facts of the research. In 2005, George Bush loosened his restrictions on embryonic stem cell research. Stem cell research has already dramatically improved the quality of life for thousands of terminally ill patients. If the United States is to further loosen its restrictions and induce more funding for stem cell research, it is a possibility that the country can be the leader of medical science. President Barack Obama has already lifted former president George Bush's ban on federal funding for stem cell research.

In conclusion, stem cell research has been around for decades and has led the way to many medical breakthroughs. Yet, opposition to the research hasn't fully allowed the proper research to flourish. Michael J. Fox once said "This is not about red states and blue states. This is not about Democrats and Republicans. This is about claiming our place as the scientific leader in scientific research and moving forward and helping our citizens. That's all it is. It's that simple." Medical miracles do not happen by accident. That is why funding for stem cell research is a necessity to save lives.

Citations:

"Human Stem Cell Research: All Viewpoints." ReligiousTolerance.org by the Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance. Web. 13 Apr. 2011. .

"What Are Embryonic Stem Cells? [Stem Cell Information]." NIH Stem Cell Information Home Page. Web. 13 Apr. 2011. .

White, Deborah. "Pros & Cons of Embryonic Stem Cell Research." Liberal & Progressive Politics & Perspectives. Web. 13 Apr. 2011. ..