What is the controversy associated with stem cell research?
What is the controversy associated with stem cell research?
However, human embryonic stem cell (hESC) research is ethically and politically controversial because it involves the destruction of human embryos. As a matter of religious faith and moral conviction, they believe that “human life begins at conception” and that an embryo is therefore a person.
What does the Pope say about stem cell research?
VATICAN CITY (Reuters) – Pope Benedict appealed to scientists on Thursday to stop using human embryos in stem cell research, saying it violated “the dignity of human life”.
Why did George Bush stop stem cell research?
In 2001, President George W. Bush restricted federal funding for research on stem cells obtained from human embryos because the technology required the destruction of human life. Because embryos must be destroyed in order to extract stem cells, Bush cited concerns that such research devalued human life.
Why do Catholics hate stem cells?
Catholic teaching has no moral difficulties with research on stem cells derived from adult stem cells or fetal cord blood. The ethical problem comes with embryonic stem cells since their genesis involves the destruction of a human embryo.
What does Islam say about stem cell research?
Because of the inevitable consequences of reproductive cloning, it is prohibited in Islam. However, stem cell research for therapeutic purposes is permissible with full consideration, and all possible precautions in the pre-ensoulment stages of early fetus development, if the source is legitimate.
Why are religious groups against stem cell research?
Some religious communities believe that embryonic stem cell research destroys innocent life and should not be allowed. They also point out that there are thousands of excess embryos in fertility clinics that are already slated for destruction and could be used instead to find life-saving cures.
What do Hindus think of stem cells?
Conclusion: Embryonic stem cell research is permissible and encouraged according to Hindu and Buddhist perspectives in view of the potential benefits of such research to society, with some reservations. This is similar to Islamic views on the ethics of ESCR.
Does the government support stem cell research?
This policy allowed the Federal government to support research on dozens of existing stem cell lines without sanctioning or encouraging the destruction of additional human embryos. President Bush is the first President to provide Federal funding for human embryonic stem cell research.
Are embryonic stem cells banned?
Federal law. No federal law ever did ban stem cell research in the United States, but only placed restrictions on funding and use, under Congress’s power to spend. In February 2001, George W. Frist (R-TN), announced that he too favored loosening restrictions on federal funding of embryonic stem cell research.
Why shouldn’t we use stem cells?
Opponents argue that the research is unethical, because deriving the stem cells destroys the blastocyst, an unimplanted human embryo at the sixth to eighth day of development. As Bush declared when he vetoed last year’s stem cell bill, the federal government should not support “the taking of innocent human life.”
Why are people against stem cell research?
A common argument against stem cell research relates to religious beliefs. Many Christian groups believe that life begins at conception. As a result, they believe that embryonic stem cell research murders a child. Since the research terminates an embryo for the cells, some religious groups believe it is murder to harvest the cells.
Why is stem cell research considered controversial?
Historically, the use of stem cells in medical research has been controversial. This is because when the therapeutic use of stem cells first came to the public’s attention in the late 1990s, scientists were deriving human stem cells from embryos.
What are the ethical issues surrounding the use of stem cells?
The main ethical issue regarding stem cell research is that embryonic stem cells come from embryos – that are ruined eventually. This causes the public to raise ethical issues concerning the moral status of the human embryo and reasons behind the idea to destroy it.
What are the arguments for stem cell research?
The stem cell research debate also has many arguments that are pro research. The primary argument for stem cell research is the medical use of stem cells. The argument is positive medical uses of stem cells outweigh moral and ethical concerns. Using stem cells may cure diseases and save lives.
