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Stem Cell Harvesting >> The Stem Cell Debate
The Stem Cell Debate
There is much controversy and debate surrounding the issue of stem cells and stem cell research ethics.
FOR the use of stem cells and stem cell research
Stem cell research has the potential to impact countless diseases and injuries. Stem cells hold much promise for in vitro (outside the body) drug testing and so could lessen the need for drug testing in animals and humans.
AGAINST the use of stem cells and stem cell research
Currently, the only known way to obtain unlimited stem cells is by using days old embryos from fertility clinics that would otherwise be discarded. Though these embryos have never been in the uterus and have never become a foetus, some people are opposed to this research because they consider this embryo to be morally equivalent to a human being. Opponents argue that all embryos, whether created in the lab or not, have the potential to go on to become a fully fledged human, and as such it is morally wrong to experiment on them.
Cloning
Human cloning is a very controversial issue and has received extensive coverage in the press in recent years. There are two main types of human cloning:
- Reproductive cloning - This involves creating an embryo then actually implanting it into the uterus. Many scientists (and people in general) are against it for ethical reasons and it has been outlawed in many countries, including the UK.
- Therapeutic cloning or Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer (SCNT) - This uses an unfertilized egg and adult cell to create an embryonic cell which is specific to the patient. No sperm is involved and therefore no foetus is created. However, it still in very early stages of research and development.
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