Currently, whenever mentioning stem cell research, many people automatically assume that this field of science is wrong due to the neglect of ethics derived from religious backgrounds and other cultural predispositions. For example, certain studies in stem cell research, such as cloning, are said to be performing a divine intervention. Also, it has publically been said that the utilization of embryonic stem cells is the equivalency of promoting killing because some people consider embryos as living breathing human beings.
Although people feel stem cell research is wrong, a clear projection is that the advance in the scientific study of stem cells will actually bring about many benefits. Through progressing in stem cell research, people could further understand the nature of disease and anatomical processes. From this, scientists could create cures for many diseases such as Parkinson’s disease, cancer, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s disease. Also, if duplicating healthy cells becomes a way of cure, then they can be donated into people’s bodies to improve their physical beings. Millions of people would be helped as they would have easier access to medicine, and above all, lives would be saved.
With great knowledge of stem cells comes great responsibility to uphold scientific ethics. When incorporating stem cell research into the progression of cures, it is important that scientists conduct preliminary studies with animals. Then, when these studies show positive outcomes, human testing can be suitable. It is also important that both humans and animals are treated with care and respect during the course of experimentation. Furthermore, stem cell research should only be used for the benefits of mankind. Studies such as “building” an ideal healthy person should be permitted due the want of making a “superhuman”.
With a slight knowledge on what people think, the benefits, and proper limitations regarding stem cell research, I have a question for the audience: If we limit stem cell research based on scientific ethics such as treating animals and humans with care, what’s wrong about moving forward in stem cell research with a goal of saving people around the world?
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
The Dawning of a Scientific Argument
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8 comments:
I feel the same way about stem cell research. If it is for the good of mankind and trying to help cure diseases, i am totally for it. I also agree that whatever the scientist should come up with should be tested on animals first rather than on a human being. I would like to stem cell research gather lots of exposure so people can debate over this issue and so that people can learn all the great things that can come from it.
im on the fence about this topic. im all for the advancement of technology and possible cures for diseases but there are other ways to lok at it. cloning could be considered "being God." but im all for it because this is very beneficial to our future!
this was alot of reading adrian so u owe me!! lol
The wonderful world of stem cell research. PersonallyI want to work in the medical field eventualy so if performing stem cell research will help people live longer than i don't really see why anyone would be against it. It could happen that one day someone gets parkinsons and they are going to be mad that they were against stem cell research because if they were for it than they could have had a better chance of living and a better lifestyle.
I am personally for the research of stem cells and for government funding. I agree that testing on animals should be conducted first, however if it is proven successful, testing on human stem cells should be conducted. I beleve this research will be beneficial to finding the cures for many diseases and to help save lives.
I think that there shouldnt be an argument over stem cell research because the main goal is to help people by creating new cells, organs, etc. for the human body. Eventually stem cell research could be the focus of the entire scientific and health community because the positive possibilities created through it are endless. I find it a problem when science in this case can be obstructed by people's religious ideals.
This comment is in response to Lashawna:
I totally understand why you feel mixed about this. I've been in your position. I happen to be Christian and once I heard about this research, I was completely flabbergasted. I didn't know what to think of America. I always thought about this research as "Playing God". But when I began to realize that all scientists are trying to do is work towards improvement in understanding the nature of disease, I redefined my opinion of stem cell research. I don't think it's "Playing God". I believe it's using our scientific intelligence to our advantage by trying to help people out.
This comment is in response to hotshot:
You bring up a wonderful point about what the future would be like for a victim of Parkinson's Disease if stem cell research wasn't advanced due to the public not accepting this research. I've thought about the same thing. People need cures for the present and for the future. Because of this, we should build towards accomplishing numerous goals involving the aid through medicine. Stem cell research will provide further understanding of disease and anatomical processes, which will result in new theories. With this said, funding stem cell research is a very good investment for the future. Imagine what it would feel like to tell a cancer patient, "Well, we're putting you on this medicine to get rid of your cancer. You should be cancer free in a matter of weeks." Isn't it worth it to promote stem cell research?
I really support stem cell research, but I'm going to play devil's advocate. The problem with moving forward with stem cell research is the fact that a possible human being is being sacrificed. And by taking advantage of embryos, in some people's minds, would be violating the scientific ethics that you previously mentioned.
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