Lorena Veal

Ethics

4/19/04

Ethics of Embryonic Stem Cell Research

Introduction:

Embryonic stem cell research is a very controversial issue.  Below I will begin by introducing stem cells; I will explain what they are, where they are derived from, and how they are used.  Then I will discuss the ethical controversy of embryonic stem cell research, supporting views and opposing views.

What are stem cells:

The definition of stem cells is the cells from which all 210 different kinds of tissue in the human body originate.  There are three types of stem cells.  First and most controversial, embryonic stem cells which are surplus embryos from in vitro fertilization clinics and remnants of aborted embryo tissue.  Second, form of stem cells is umbilical cord stem cells which are found in the blood in the umbilical cord after birth.  And third, adult stem cells, they are found in bone marrow, blood, adipose tissue, and epithelial tissue. 

            There are many possible used for stem cells in the medical field, they include curing Alzheimers disease, cancer, diabetes, Parkinsons disease, blood diseases, heart diseases, skin disorders, and making of improved pharmaceuticals just to name a few.  New discoveries published in the Science News, vol. 165, issue 10 page 155, states that with the aid of scaffolds stem cells could be used to renew the supply of healthy tissue and organs and possibly heal spinal cord injuries.

            The steps to culture embryonic stems cells, it begins with an in vitro fertilized egg. Second, the fertilized egg develops into a blastocyst stage meaning the egg is between five to seven days old.  Third step, the inner mass of the cluster of cells that make up the blastocyst is removed and placed in a petre dish, fourth stage, the cells are then culture undifferentiated stem cells, finally, the stem cells become specialized cells which are specific for certain parts of the body like blood cells, neural cells, or muscle cells.

Supporting views of embryonic stem cell research:

            I have identified three different supporting views for why embryonic stem cell research should continue.  First, Utilitarian perspective, if any action results in more good than bad, then that action is ethical.  Second, The fact that surplus and aborted embryos will never develop into humans, therefore they should be used to benefit those that are suffering.  And third, nothing would be gained from the surplus embryos perishing.

            Of the three types of stem cells available embryonic stem cells are preferred for research for many reasons.  First, undifferentiated embryonic stem cells can become any tissue in the body.  Second, adult stem cells are predetermined in what type of tissue they will become, and are less able to become any other tissue.  Third, embryonic stem cells are easier to grow in the laboratory and can be cultured into lines.  And fourth, adult stem cells are harder to grow and lose their ability to reproduce and change into various tissues with age.

            The problem with cultured lines is: First, the genetic defects in original stem cells are within every cultured cell, second, there is a declining quality of secondary generation stem cells, and third, there is a less variety of genetic information in cultured lines.  This leads to the fact that research would be quicker if embryonic stem cells where used for it is expected that using embryonic stem cells will result in quicker development of therapies to cure deadly disease. 

Opposing views of embryonic stem cell research:

            I have identified four opposing views to embryonic stem cell research; first, Kantian views oppose embryonic stem cell research because no life form should be a means to an end to use another possible life to save another is wrong.  Second, there is an uncertainty of intrinsic value of embryos, i.e. whether the embryo should be considered a person.  Third, the Moral distinctions between letting an embryo perish as in unused fertilized eggs for in vitro fertilization, and actively terminating it.  And last since it is unknown as to when an embryo becomes a person with intrinsic value, it is only morally safe to respect the embryo as a person from conception.

            There is an alternate option of using embryonic stem cells; they are adult or umbilical cord stem cells.  There is promising advances in research using non-embryonic stem cells.  There is current human testing of therapies using adult stem cells with positive results.  Although research will be slower, the discoveries found will not be from the destruction of a potential life form.  And finally, stem cells are more readily accepted if they are transplanted back into the original donor.  So the adult that has the disease that uses their own stem cells to cure their disease results in the success rate will increase because foreign cells will not be introduced into their bodies.

            In conclusion, this entire controversy can be virtually reduced to one unanswered question; when do embryos become human?  Since we do no know the answer, this controversy is one that will probably never be completely resolved.

http://www.e-stem-cell.com is a link to a paper published on The Dilemma of Embryonic Stem Cell Research.  The author is Thomas P. Dooley, PhD. He is the founder of ALtruis LLC. He seems to be qualified to speak on the subject and did not make any outlandish claims.  He was against using embryonic stem cells and provided many other options.  The site is run by ALtruis Biomedical Network.  The paper clearly states the controversy over embryonic stem cell research.  It is a very good source for someone that is unaware of what stem cells are and the possible medical advances that could be gained by the research. This is self-contained web page.

http://www.cbhd.org/resources/stemcells/hollinger_2001-11-15htm. is a link to a paper published on Stem Cells and our Moral Culture.  The site is run by the Center for Bioethics and human Dignity.  The author is Dennis P. Hollinger, PhD. He is the Vice Provost and Professor of Christian Ethics at Messiah College in Grantham Pennsylvania. I believe he is qualified to speak on the topic.  He is strongly against embryonic stem cell research.  In the paper he states the three main ethical beliefs that people that support embryonic stem cell research follow, and then he states how these beliefs are flawed.  He uses many ethical points that correlate with Rachels book.  This is a good article that clearly states why people may disagree with the research.  This web site has many links to other papers on the topic and a vast array of sites that would help a person understand stem cells thoroughly.

http://www.cbhd.org/resources/stemcells/position_statment.htm. is a link to a paper published On Human Embryos and Stem Cell Research.  The statement was made by Harold Varmus, M.D., Director of the National Institutes of Health; he appears to be very knowledgeable on the subject. The statement covers many of the legal issues that surround the topic.  The author is very biased against embryonic stem cell research.  This site links to other useful sties on stem cell research.