I choose to discuss stem cell research. This refers to “researchers growing
stem cells in the lab. These stem cells are then manipulated to specialize into
specific types of cells, such as heart muscle cells, blood cells or nerve cells”
(Mayo Clinic Staff, 2022). These cells are then implanted into a person and
can perform different functions within the body. Due to its ability to turn into
different types of cells, scientists believe that they can be useful for treating
and understanding diseases. By furthering the research, it can increase the
understanding of how diseases occur. Take for example research based on
embryonic and adult stem cells that has yielded promising results for the
treatment of Parkinson’s disease and diabetes. Stem cell research has also
generated new knowledge concerning basic cell mechanisms that helps
understand the causes of diseases like cancer.
Although stem cell research has its good like everything else it also has its
bad. Some risks for SCR can be found in the participants. “Participants
undergoing stem cell transplantation include tumour formation, inappropriate
stem cell migration, immune rejection of transplanted stem cells, haemorrhage
during neurosurgery and postoperative infection” (Master et al., 2007).
Ethical issues also arise when it comes to this type of research. One of the
biggest ethical issues SCR brings up is the methods in which human
embryonic stem cells are obtained. It requires for the destruction of the
embryo which is a huge ethical matter as a lot of individuals do not agree with
this method. Another ethical matter that SCR brings up is oocyte harvesting
which is the procedure in which egg are taken from the ovaries. “Oocyte
harvesting, which is essential to the creation of human embryonic stem cells
raises concerns related to safety of the donor” (Sugarman, 2008). These are all
ethical issues that must be addressed moving forward with the research
because it can cause serious issues if things progress as they are. Steam Cell
Research is very good for science and the medical field and has assisted in
saving a lot of lives. To keep up with the positivity something must be done
about the negative aspects of it so that does positive does not get overlooked.
References
Master, Z. M., McLeod, M. M., & Mendez, I. M. (2007).6Benefits, risks and
ethical considerations in translation of stem cell research to clinical
applications in Parkinson’s disease. Ncbi.Nlm.Nih.Gov.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2598267/
Mayo Clinic Staff. (2022, March 19).6Stem cells: What they are and what they
do.6Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/bone-
marrow-transplant/in-depth/stem-cells/art-20048117#:
%7E:text=Researchers%20grow%20stem%20cells%20in,be
%20implanted%20into%20a%20person.
Sugarman, J. (2008, August 4).6Ethical issues in stem cell research and
treatment. Nature. https://www.nature.com/articles/cr2008266?
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