:salam2: Everyone,
I hope everyone is doing well. I'd like to talk to you today about a very controversial subject.
For those of you who are not familiar with the concept of Stem Cell Research, let me briefly explain what it is and why it is so controversial.
Stem Cells are cells which are found in Human Embryos. Stem cells are cells that are able to differentiate into specialized cell types but also retain the ability to renew themselves through cell division. In other words, they are able to copy themselves and make themselves into any cell types that are surrounding it.
For example if you have stem cells next to some muscle tissue, it will develop it's self into muscle tissue as well.
Sounds simple right?
Unfortunately, as simple as it may sound, it has a lot of controversy surrounding it.
Many people debate Stem Cell Research to be unethical, due to the fact that stem cells are pretty much the first sign of life, or the human fetus. Stem Cells are the first cell which will eventually divide it's self to make rest of the Organism.
The Pros and Cons:
Pros: Since stems cells have the potential to be differentiated into basically all cell types, they offer promise in the development of medical treatments for a wide range of conditions. These include damage to the brain, spinal cord, skeletal muscles, and the heart. Treatments that have been proposed follow either physical trauma (e.g. spinal cord injuries), degenerative conditions such as Parkinson's disease. Stem Cell therapy even offer the promise to heal genetic diseases in combination with gene therapy. Much success and potential has been demonstrated from research using adult stem cells.
Cons: With the present state of technology, the creation of a human embryonic stem cell line requires the destruction of a human embryo. Stem cell debates have motivated and reinvigorated the pro-life movement, whose members are concerned with the rights and status of the embryo as an early-aged human life. They believe that embryonic stem cell research instrumentalizes and violates the sanctity of life and constitutes murder. The fundamental assertion of those who oppose embryonic stem cell research is the belief that human life is inviolable, combined with the opinion that human life begins when a sperm cell fertilizes an egg cell to form a single cell.
So there you have it. That's pretty much a brief run down of what Stem Cell Research is all about.
So now that you know or you knew about Stem Cells and the pros and cons of the research behind it, what is your opinion on this subject?
Are you for it, or are you against it? Please also state why you feel the way you feel.
My opinion: I'm actually for it, believe it or not. I'm well aware of the fact it is somewhat unethical but I believe when you put the pros and cons of it side by side, the pros over rule the cons. I am for one very much against the idea of abortion, but not unless the removed fetus is donated to Stem Cell Research. Which is then obviously is distribute for a good cause. In my opinion, it's a lot like giving blood. It is ultimately used to save lives.
Looking forward to your opinions.
I hope everyone is doing well. I'd like to talk to you today about a very controversial subject.
For those of you who are not familiar with the concept of Stem Cell Research, let me briefly explain what it is and why it is so controversial.
Stem Cells are cells which are found in Human Embryos. Stem cells are cells that are able to differentiate into specialized cell types but also retain the ability to renew themselves through cell division. In other words, they are able to copy themselves and make themselves into any cell types that are surrounding it.
For example if you have stem cells next to some muscle tissue, it will develop it's self into muscle tissue as well.
Sounds simple right?
Unfortunately, as simple as it may sound, it has a lot of controversy surrounding it.
Many people debate Stem Cell Research to be unethical, due to the fact that stem cells are pretty much the first sign of life, or the human fetus. Stem Cells are the first cell which will eventually divide it's self to make rest of the Organism.
The Pros and Cons:
Pros: Since stems cells have the potential to be differentiated into basically all cell types, they offer promise in the development of medical treatments for a wide range of conditions. These include damage to the brain, spinal cord, skeletal muscles, and the heart. Treatments that have been proposed follow either physical trauma (e.g. spinal cord injuries), degenerative conditions such as Parkinson's disease. Stem Cell therapy even offer the promise to heal genetic diseases in combination with gene therapy. Much success and potential has been demonstrated from research using adult stem cells.
Cons: With the present state of technology, the creation of a human embryonic stem cell line requires the destruction of a human embryo. Stem cell debates have motivated and reinvigorated the pro-life movement, whose members are concerned with the rights and status of the embryo as an early-aged human life. They believe that embryonic stem cell research instrumentalizes and violates the sanctity of life and constitutes murder. The fundamental assertion of those who oppose embryonic stem cell research is the belief that human life is inviolable, combined with the opinion that human life begins when a sperm cell fertilizes an egg cell to form a single cell.
So there you have it. That's pretty much a brief run down of what Stem Cell Research is all about.
So now that you know or you knew about Stem Cells and the pros and cons of the research behind it, what is your opinion on this subject?
Are you for it, or are you against it? Please also state why you feel the way you feel.
My opinion: I'm actually for it, believe it or not. I'm well aware of the fact it is somewhat unethical but I believe when you put the pros and cons of it side by side, the pros over rule the cons. I am for one very much against the idea of abortion, but not unless the removed fetus is donated to Stem Cell Research. Which is then obviously is distribute for a good cause. In my opinion, it's a lot like giving blood. It is ultimately used to save lives.
Looking forward to your opinions.