What are Stem Cells and Why Are They Controversial?
A stem cell is an unspecialized cell that can perform a specific function in the right environment. A stem cell has the ability to morph into any cell in their environment (human body), therefore enabling them to cure diseases which scientists have been working hard to find cures against. The downside is that stem cells come from a human fetus. The scientists extract stem cells from a fetus, which then kills it.The process of extracting stem cells from a human fetus is known as embryonic stem cell research. Furthermore, Scientists working in the area of stem cell research have a major responsibility in experimenting with stem cells from the embryo of a human fetus. Since stem cell research has been authorized as legal, scientists now also have a right to use stem cells in scientific research. The rights and responsibilities of Stem Cell Research is one of the most widely debated topics in the world of science. Is it ethical to kill a human fetus? And, do stem cells present any religious problems? Is a fetus a living thing and if it is, does that mean that scientists are really murderers? All of these points are taken into careful consideration when testing and debating with stem cells, and even experts cannot agree about them. These debates lead to a controversy on how legal stem cells should really be treated.
Stem Cell Uses
Stem cells don't have a structure that can perform a specific task. They are created for bodily uses only. Stem cells don't have a specific function because they come from an embryo that has not fully developed into a human being and therefore it can be turned into a specialized cell of any type. Scientists use stem cells for just this purpose. Scientists test stem cells by making them morph into the specialized cell of their enviornment. Stem cells hold amazing potential because their ability to become a cell of any type allows for them to cure incurable diseases such as cancer and nervous system diseases.
Pro-Life vs. Pro- Choice Debate
The pro-life vs. pro-chioce debate is one of the largest concerning stem cell research. Pro- life supporters believe that human personhood begins when a baby is in it's mother's womb and that it is wrong to get an abortion or to test stem cells by taking them from a fetus. Those who are pro-choice believe that human personhood only begins when a baby is born and that abortion and embryonic stem cell testing are proper. They believe that money should be spent funding stem cell research because of it's potential. Believe it or not, pro- lifers and pro- choicers agree on every issue but one. When does human personhood begin?
Now that you have some backround information about stem cell research from the top three paragraphs and informational links please click on the rights list to read about the rights of stem cell research or click on the responsibilities link in order to read about the responsibiliites of stem cell research.
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