(Fatmah, Colleen, Morgan)
Case 30:
This case presents the arguments about which stem cell lines should be used in research. The arguments are based on the presidential decisions of Barack Obama and George W. Bush. Bush’s decision limited federal funding to already destroyed embryos. Obama’s decision was to lift the Bush restrictions and used the National Institute of Health to define the ethical guidelines to which stem cell lines should be used. The National Institute of Health limited federal funding to stem cell lines created from excess fertility clinic embryos, given that the parents were not offered any incentives to giving up their embryos.
There are different views about the moral status of the embryo. Groups are divided in their beliefs of when the embryo is considered a human being. The differing views are:
1. Fertilization onward
2. 14 days after fertilization
3. Increasing status as it develops
4. Birth
5. Embryo has no moral status
Questions:
1. What status should the embryo hold?
2. Did Bush put too many restrictions on embryo stem cell research?
3. Between the decisions of Bush and Obama, which one was more morally grounded?
4. What conditions would limit federal funding of stem cell research?
I am so conflicted on this topic. I think that stem cell research on adult stem cells SHOULD be done, and there is research being done to develop ways to get embryonic stem cells without actually destroying the embryo, which I think would be a good thing. My scientific side is very interested in what embryonic stem cell research could lead to in the future, and alot of my ideals about human rights are heavily based on ideas of autonomy and the presence of concious thought (neither of which, embryos have).
ReplyDeleteDespite these tendencies toward supporting embryonic research, I have decided that I can't condone it morally. Each person that exists on the planet was once an embryo, and though the embryo does not look or act like what we recognize as a human being, it is in fact exactly what a human being looks and acts like at a day or two of development. Until we can develop ways to harvest embryonic stem cells without harm to the actual embryo, I do not think that EMBRYONIC stem cell research should be conducted or protected under legislation.
Being raised Catholic I believe that human life begins at conception and as a result I feel embryonic stem cell research is wrong unless they find a way to do the research without harming the embryo in the process. If they could find a way to not harm the embryo doing the research then I would be all for it. But, since they have not found a way then I believe they should not do the research. That is because every single embryo made is a very unique and special human life that has value and deserves not be harmed in research. They should not be treated like they do not matter and they have no value. Every human life has value no matter what stage of life they are at. So I believe that until they figure out a way to do the embryonic stem cell research without harming the embryo's then the research should not be done.
ReplyDeleteMy wife just gave birth last week, and we requested that the stem cells from our son's cord blood be donated to Children's Hospital for medical research. We both believe that there is strong potential in stem cell research, and cord blood donation seemed like a win-win situation.
ReplyDeleteThat being said, I have conflicting views on using embryonic stem cells for research. Personally, I have trouble accepting that preserved embryos, such as those banked for fertility treatments, can be destroyed if not implanted, but not used for research. It seems to me that either they should not be allowed to be disposed of, or they should be able to be used for research.
I think an embryo is a child and should be considered one from conception and on. I believe that stem cell research should only be done using cord blood and not using discharged embryos. Embryos whether used for IVF or another type of reproduction should not be killed or used to research, this is in a way taking advantage of a life. I think that there should be legislation to protect embryos and the parents.
ReplyDelete