Embryonic Stem Cell Research

What are Stem Cells?
Stem Cells can be described as the repair kits of our body. They are unspecialized cells that are found in the bodies of all multi-cellular creatures and which have the potential to develop into specialized cells.

Where are Embryonic Stem Cells found?
Embryonic Stem Cells are found in blastocysts. When a fertilized egg has undergone cell division for 5 days it forms a hollow ball of cells. This developing embryo is known as a blastocyst. The Embryonic Stem Cells are derived from this. It should be noted that only an egg that has been fertilized through the In Vitro Fertilization process is used.

What are the properties of Embryonic Stem Cells?
Embryonic Stem Cells possess remarkable properties of limitless self-renewal through cell-division and can develop into new stem cells or into various different and more specialized types of body cells. The process of self-replication is called proliferation and, when the unspecialized cells through cell division bring forth specialized cells, it is called differentiation.

How are Embryonic Stem Cells cultivated?
The blastocyst has three main parts – the trophoblast, the blastocoel, and the inner cell mass. Embryonic Stem Cells are derived from the inner cell mass. This is cultivated in a culture medium in the laboratory and over a period of time the cells of the inner cell mass – there are some 30 cells – divide and proliferate and millions of new Embryonic Stem Cells are obtained.

These Embryonic Stem Cells can remain undifferentiated or, under certain conditions, can begin to differentiate and produce specialized cells like nerve cells, blood cells, etc.

What are the uses of Embryonic Stem Cells?
Since Embryonic Stem Cells have the potential to develop into a variety of specialized cells, they are very important in medical research. Scientists involved in Embryonic Stem Cell research are currently trying to understand the conditions under which specific specialized cells are produced. By knowing how to bring about or control these conditions, they can then produce required specialized cells on demand.

These specialized cells can possibly be used in regenerative treatment for spinal cord injuries or to cure many diseases like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Diabetes, cancer, heart disease, etc.

What are the moral and ethical issues involved in Embryonic Stem Cell usage?
As mentioned before, the embryos used in Embryonic Stem Cell Research are developed from eggs that have been fertilized by the In Vitro Fertilization process in a laboratory. The eggs used are ones that have been willingly donated for research purposes and which, as per the agreement with the donor, are never to be transplanted into a uterus to develop into a human being.

After the embryonic stem cells are extracted, there is no further development of the blastocyst. This poses a moral problem for many people and many religious organizations.

Is it okay to let an embryo – a developing life – die in order to potentially cure diseases and alleviate suffering in those already living?

That the donated embryos, since they are never to be transplanted into a uterus, will die anyway is a point that many seem to overlook.

Is it okay to let living people go on suffering when stem cell research could possibly bring about a cure?

The Pro-life people feel that the end does not justify the means. In other words, a blastocyst – a hollow ball of cells that is not technically a person – should not be sacrificed for the sake of research. Life is too precious.

Human life, it should be noted. Or specifically some human life. Many of these same individuals will not turn a hair about research carried out on live animals and neither will they refuse to eat meat. They will wholeheartedly support invading other countries and using the latest weaponries and banned chemicals for slaughtering their populations.

It seems to be a very curious kind of morality.

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