An analysis stem cell research

An analysis stem cell research Do the benefits of using embryonic stem cells for medical and research purposes outweigh the disadvantages associated with loss of life? Problem: Embryonic stem cells result in loss of life Embryonic stem cells are unspecialised cells that have the ability under certain conditions to create any of the different types of tissue in early human growth and can renew themselves through cell division1. The ability of stem cells to specialise into over 220 types of cells in the adult human body is what interests scientists and provides potential to create a variety of clinical therapies to cure disease2. Embryonic stem cells are harvested from fertilised human embryos that have either been donated or have been created artificially in a laboratory. Embryos are created by in vitro fertilisation and donated for research with the donor’s consent2. The embryoblast, the inner cell mass, of the blastocyst is removed and is placed into a culture dish containing a controlled culture of nutri ents that allow the cells to divide and create stem cell lines that are managed and shared amongst researchers3. Fig. 1 – A microphotograph of human embryonic stem cells4. Scientists are studying the use of stem cells in medical research to harness how they differentiate into specialised cells that make up the tissues of the human body2. Many diseases occur due to problems associated with cell differentiation so better knowledge about what happens in cells can help prevent these problems in the future2. In addition creating new tissues can help to repair damage caused by disease or the creation of new cells can assist patients who have deficiencies such as the inability to create insulin in the case of diabetes patients or have damaged or diseased organs. Such therapies could also reduce the demand on transplant organs and loss of life as many people die waiting for a transplant. Stem cell therapies hope to reduce morbidity for such people in the future. Stem cells are also u sed to test drugs before testing on live animals and humans2. In order to use embryonic stem cells, in researching and developing such therapies, a living human embryo, which would otherwise have the potential to develop into a baby in the right conditions, is destroyed by removing stem cells when it is about 4 to 6 days old. Destroying embryos in this manner has resulted in controversy over the sanctity of human life versus the potential to treat a number of human diseases. The sanctity of human life in arguments about embryonic stem cell research follows similar rationale to those that oppose abortion. Various religious groups see life as sacrosanct and hold that life is precious and the harvesting of embryonic stem cells and the resulting destruction of the embryo brings life to an end albeit to a collection of cells with potential to develop into a person4. Research using embryonic stem cells is still fairly recent. A few clinical trials are currently underway that are investiga ting the safety of the use of the techniques and stem cells in restoring spinal cord function and others in retinal stem cells being used to treat eye disease2.