Stem cells are the origins to all functional cells for human development. There are three types of stem cells, including embryonic germ cells, embryonic stem cells and adult cells. Among all three cell types, embryonic germ stem cells are the most promising because they can give rise to any cell type and be useful in helping find breakthroughs in the medical field and assist in finding cures for terminal diseases. However, some people claim that stem cell research is problematic and leads to ethical problems. This blog will explore both sides and take the position that stem cell research is not problematic.
On one hand, stem cells research can help find cures for terminal diseases and illnesses and breakthroughs to healthcare area. For instance, one of the most common uses of stem cell research is stem cell transplant, which is used to restore bone marrow. This treatment has helped cure patients suffering from leukaemia. Furthermore, Stem cell research is also essential in solving nervous system related diseases. Diseases caused by cell decay for example Parkinson’s Disease and Alzheimer’s Disease are able to be cured through the cell restoration process that was developed through stem cell research. All these potentials states that more lives can be saved through stem cell research. The results are not only more lives and chances but also bring about happiness to more families, less people and families will be surrounded by the depression of terminal diseases. The positive effects suggest that more attention and focus should be given to stem cell research areas, as it serves to help people in the long term.
Furthermore, by doing stem cell research, people will gain the opportunity to understand how the human body works better. By getting a closer look at how the body reacts to certain processes, we will be able to understand how an illness or disease develops. This can be useful in facilitating breakthroughs in the medical field and help us identify the onset of terminal diseases. Moreover, through stem cell research, new treatments that can potentially cure illnesses that are damaging, or decaying body cells can also be developed. The results of research and investigations allow humans to extend average life expectancy rates, prevent serious diseases or illnesses, raise living standards and even reduce the average costs of medical treatments.
On the other hand, some people believes that stem cell research is problematic and should be forbidden. They claim that extracting stem cells from embryos is no different from killing a life, in other words, it is synonymous to murder. Being able to extract those cells freely and killing embryos is promoting that life is something that humans can tamper and play with and is no longer precious. Nevertheless, I firmly refute this criticism. There are massive differences between embryos and adults or children. Embryos only have the potential to become a person. Potentiality does not constitute personhood. Therefore, they should not be given the same moral rights or freedom as normal humans have.
To summarise, I hold the opinion that stem cell research should be allowed and permitted. It not only helps assists in finding probable cures for terminal diseases, but also give insights into how human body works.