Stem cell research the future cure for organ failure or a moral wrong of society?
What exactly is stem cell research? ‘Stem cells, which have the ability to adapt and regenerate into different cell types in the body, have the potential to replace tissues damaged by disease’. (isscr.org) Science is just beginning to exam the full potential of human embryonic stem cells which has the potential to someday cure Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s, spinal cord injury, cancer and organ failure. Stem cell research can eliminate the need for many transplants and possibly lead to the creation of a new organ which is the genetic equivalent of the original (kidney.org). A patient who receives an organ transplant is dependent on anti-rejection medicine, immunosuppressive medications, for the rest of their life. These medications weaken a patients’ immune system so that it will not reject the transplanted organ but it also makes the patient more susceptible to other illnesses. If stem cells are used to either repair an organ damaged by disease or create a new one immunosuppressive medications would no longer be needed. Does the end justify the means? (isscr.gov)
According to washingtonpost.com, the first veto issued by former President George W. Bush was rejecting Congress’s bid to lift funding restrictions on human embryonic stem cell research. In 5 ½ years in office this was the first veto he issued. This veto was issued a little over a month after I donated a kidney to my sister. I remember asking my sister if President Bush would have issued that veto if it was him and his brother in place of my sister and I? During his speech about why he vetoed the bill he had children in the background who were adopted embryos. Adopted embryos result from couples who have gone through fertility treatment and have had the number of children desired. Not wanting to destroy the unused embryo they allow another couple to adopt the embryo. Of the 400,000 frozen embryos stored in U.S. fertility clinics the majority are waiting disposal because the couples who created them completed their pursuit for a child and do not want someone else raising their biological child. Of those 400,000 embryos only 128 will become an adopted embryo (washingtonpost.com). If these embryos are only going to be disposed and the couple would like to donate them to research then why not let them?
Former President Bush and many religious people are against stem cell research because of the ‘moral’ wrong. According to the catholic faith human life is created when a mans sperm fertilizes a woman’s egg. When is a baby viable? A baby is viable when it can survive outside the mother’s womb. An 8-week old embryo can not survive outside the womb. According the americancatholic.org, ‘The same ethic that justifies taking some lives to help the patient with Parkinson's or Alzheimer's disease today can be used to sacrifice that very patient tomorrow.’ Honestly what would be the purpose of curing Parkinson and Alzheimer’s disease just to kill that same person? Americancatholic.org also stated how stem cell research will lead to ‘cloned embryos in a woman's womb in order to harvest tissues and organs from them.’ This will not happen because embryonic stem cell research and therapy would use donated embryos that, by virtue of donor instructions, will never enter a uterus. (isscr.gov)
Fortunately for those who would benefit from stem cell research President Barack Obama lifted funding restrictions on human embryonic steam cell research.
According to Brodie et al (2005) a patient who is on dialysis in their early 20’s can expect the same remaining lifespan as a 70-year-old. If that patient were to receive a transplant they can expect to have the same remaining lifespan as a 40-year-old. Kidney failure can result in a 20-year-old to lose anywhere from 20-50 years of life. Those against stem cell research are arguing for the morality of the life of the embryo but what about the morality of those suffering from kidney failure. A person who is against stem cell research of human embryonic cells is saying the life of the person who is already living, breathing and fighting for life is less important than the retrieval of stem cells from a human embryo that never would have been carried to term. So ask yourself does the end justify the means?
Brodie, James C and Humes, David H. (2005) ‘Stem Cell Approaches for the Treatment of Renal Failure.” Pharmacological Reviews, 57/3. 299-313.
Do Stem Cells Hold the Key for the Future of Transplantation, February 23, 2011 from,
Embryonic Stem-cell Research, Unnecessary, Bishops Says, February 23, 2011 from,
The Ethics of Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research, February 23, 2011 from,
Glossary at a Glance, February 23, 2011 from,
Stem Cell Bill Gets Bush’s First Veto, (2006) February 23, 2011 from,
