ethical implications of cloning and stem cell research

Ethical Implications of Cloning and Stem Cell Research

Bio-medical breakthroughs in the fields of genetic and tissue engineering hold great promise . However , as modern medicine advances , it often poses major ethical issues on which people are seriously divided The argument in favor of proceeding with research at unrestrained pace is mainly advocated by scientists and medical experts who would like to see some fantastic therapeutic benefits that science promises in the form of stem cell technologies . Scientists are absolutely thrilled by the possibilities looming on the horizon (Thompson , Harrub 2001c . On

the other side of the debate are people , sometimes led by religious groups , who are concerned we may going too far too fast , using unacceptable means and in unknown directions . Stem cell research has the greatest potential for saving lives , but is controversial for its research based on embryos and fetuses (Rickard 2002

Stem cells are immature and unspecialized cells that that possess both the capacity to renew themselves indefinitely as well as the capability to differentiate themselves into specialized and mature cells . Mature cells , such as the heart 's myocytes or the liver 's hepatocytes , stop dividing after several dozen divisions , while stem cells can keep on dividing indefinitely , either renewing themselves or bringing out specialized cells . There are four types of stem cells in the human body 1 ) adult stem cells , 2 ) fetal stem cells 3 ) embryonic stem cells , and 4 nuclear transplant stem cells

For the first three months of pregnancy , a fertilized cell , or zygote divides and grows in the mother 's womb and is referred to as an embryo The embryo 's stem cells are the precursors of the development of a complete human baby . They produce all of the body 's various 100 trillion cells . It should become possible to use embryonic stem cells to regenerate any type of cell that the body needs . When the embryo assumes an apparent human body form , it becomes a fetus . Because the fetus is growing rapidly , all tissues and organs , including the brain , contain stem cells . It is for this reason that stem cell researchers are interested in studying fetal tissues . Studies suggest that human embryonic stem cells have immense potential in terms of developing into multiple tissue types and long-term self-renewal

Therefore , stem cell research entails the intentional creation of human embryos in the highly artificial context of an IVF clinic , using cloning techniques , and discarding them after their use for research is exhausted (Thompson , Harrub 2001a . The question to be resolved is whether research on embryonic stem cells constitutes a violation of fundamental human rights , in particular the principle of respect for human dignity and the right of life

However , many believe that conception /fertilization is not a moment but a process , and the early development does not indicate true individuality in any sense of the word , and therefore there is violation of human rights . The promise of embryo research , liberal-minded people tend to think , is too real to ignore any longer by sticking...