Issues behind stem cell research (Scientific ethics)

Racial, social and religious issues stem cell research is faced with.

THE SCIENCE: Researchers have successfully isolated stem cells from five-day-old human embryos that were created during in-vitro fertilization and that would otherwise have been destroyed.

Unlike adult stem cells, embryonic stem cells can develop into any one of more than 200 tissues in the body, from insulin-producing cells that may one day treat diabetes to heart cells that may repair cardiac muscle.

THE ETHICS: Since the embryos were scheduled to be tossed, many view this as the best compromise; others believe generating tissue from human embryos is never acceptable.

Embryonic cells

The major issue here is that of "Embryo Research vs. Pro-Life Politics". If life begins during conception, therefore, using embryonic cells would mean killing a life for the benefit of scientific research. Is this killing justified?

• Problems with embryo stem cells
• Latest news: The ultimate stem cell has been found and IT IS NOT EMBRYONIC (http://www.stemcellresearch.org/pr/pr20020124.htm - Link Broken)
• The christian perspective in embryonic stem cells

The Stem Cell Controversy

There exists a widespread controversy over stem cell research that emanates from the techniques used in the creation and usage of stem cells.

Embryonic stem cell research is particularly controversial because, with the present state of technology, starting an embryonic stem cell line requires the destruction of a human embryo and/or therapeutic cloning.

1. Stem Cell Controversy
   
2. Arguments for Embryonic Stem Cell Research
   
3. Arguments Against Embryonic Stem Cell Research
4. Therapeutic Cloning
5. Patents covering Human Stem Cell Research
6. Polls regarding Embryonic Stem Cell Research

Adapted from:

• http://www.time.com/time/2001/stemcells/#
• http://www.stemcellresearch.org/
• http://www.cbhd.org
• Picture from: HANK MORGAN—PHOTO RESEARCHERS

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