Embryonic Stem Cell Research Pros and Cons

The debate over embryonic stem cell research 'stems' from the allegation that using an embryo for research is unethical. In the process of carrying out the research activity, embryo gets destroyed. Protesters of this kind of research are against the destruction of embryo and have tagged this activity nothing short of a murder. Let us find about embryonic stem cell research pros and cons through the information presented below. Information about controversy in stem cell research should be useful. Before getting into the details of the pros and cons, let us understand what is stem cell research.

Pros and Cons of Embryonic Stem Cell Research

Embryonic stem cell research can be useful in finding cure for health problems like Parkinson's disease, Diabetes, Stroke, Alzheimer's disease, organ transplant, spinal cord injuries, birth defects, etc. Embryo cells have the ability to reproduce any of the cells present in the body. The debate over use of embryonic stem cells for research has taken the form of religious groups vs scientists. The use of embryo by religious groups is considered to be immoral on the grounds that it would take a life in the initial stages of development. Let us get into the details of embryonic stem cell research pros and cons. Here are few more embryonic stem cell research facts.

Pros
To understand the embryogenic stem cell research pros and cons, it would be necessary to understand the advantages and disadvantages one by one. Arguments supporting the research of embryonic stem cells are presented below. The information about stem cell research benefits should be useful in comparing it with the limitations.

• There are 100-150 million people in the United States who can benefit from the stem-cell-derived therapies and treatment thereby finding a solution for their health problems.
• The embryonic stem cells provide researchers with greater advantage in comparison to adult stem cells. This is because embryonic stem cells are easy to identify, isolate and can be purified without much problems.
• It is very much easier to grow the embryonic stem cells in comparison to adult stem cells.
• The embryonic cells used for research are harvested 5-7 days after conception. It is argued that at the stage of 5-7 days, embryo is not developed enough to assign it a personal identity; it is just a mass of cells at this stage.
• The adult stem cells are not a good alternative to embryo stem cells. This is because, adult stems fall short in the treatment of genetic diseases. Reason behind it is that the same genetic defect to be treated, is present in adult stem cells.

Cons
The benefits of embryonic stem cell research though are many, one should also take into account the harmful effect of carrying out this kind of research. The following points should make us aware of the limitations of embryonic stem cell research.

• An important argument against using embryonic stem cells for research is that such an activity involves deliberate attempt to destroy human life. Such kind of a research activity cannot be justified. The argument supporting its use for saving another life therefore, doesn't hold much depth.
• Destroying an embryo can be compared to that of killing a comatose person. This is because, both the embryo and comatose person lack self-awareness, cannot feel anything and are also unable to process their feelings.
• The US government strictly prohibits any activity of stem cell research or human cloning. Private companies which already have the possession of many cell lines wouldn't hesitate to defy all the norm and ethics pertaining to stem cell research.
• In the field of medical research, voluntary consent is absolutely essential. As per the Nuremberg code, any kind of experimentation which results into disability, injury or death is prohibited. Embryonic stem cells research violates the Nuremberg code and is therefore, an unethical practice. Here are some facts regarding the history of stem cell research.

The activity of carrying out research with embryonic stem cells would face strong opposition on moral and ethical grounds. Understanding the human cloning and embryonic stem cell research pros and cons through information presented above, should therefore, prove to be useful.