![]() ![]() The derivation of pluripotent stem cell lines from oocytes and embryos is fraught with disputes about the onset of human personhood. However, human stem cell (hSC) research also raises sharp ethical and political controversies. To reach that common ground, we must all begin to work with one another and that process starts today.Stem cell research offers great promise for understanding basic mechanisms of human development and differentiation, as well as the hope for new treatments for diseases such as diabetes, spinal cord injury, Parkinson’s disease, and myocardial infarction. Once found, the process of research could lead to new medical treatments which may save many lives. These embryonic stem cell research pros and cons suggest that there is some common ground to be found, no matter what one’s definition of life may be. That is why embryo destruction is often the preferred method, which is why this debate can be controversial for so many. Although there are ways to create embryonic stem cell lines for research that don’t involve embryo destruction, those cultured methods are quite costly. There are changes that happen to an embryo’s cells before death. The cells within an embryo reproduce themselves. It develops a functional activity over time. With these restrictions in place, finding new medical breakthroughs becomes even more difficult to achieve.Īn embryo has a capacity for growth. No new embryonic stem cell lines have been authorized for U.S. Funding in the United States, however, has been banned from government support since 1996. Global funding for embryonic stem cell research has topped $1 billion since this research option first started. The cost of a cultured stem cell treatment can be $17,000 or higher. Even if they do have the time, they may not be able to afford it because of the high clinical costs of this preparation. When dealing with severe diseases or conditions, patients may not have enough time to wait for their own stem cells to be prepared. It takes time for research opportunities to become viable.Įmbryonic stem cells require several months of preparation, using current technologies, to become viable for research purposes. If that option is not available, then there is no guarantee of compatibility for this type of treatment right now.ģ. If cord blood is stored for an individual, their own stem cells could provide a foundation for medical treatments. Only a person’s embryonic stem cells have high rates of success.Īs with any other transplant, there is a risk of rejection to consider with embryonic stem cell therapies. The cells often fail to activate as intended, which makes it difficult for treatments to be effective over a long course of treatment.Ģ. Trials have created tumors and unstable genetics. Treatments with embryonic stem cells have offered discouraging results in most applications. List of the Embryonic Stem Cell Research Cons Future technologies may use these cells to create new organs, provide cures for difficult diseases, and even provide hope for those suffering from genetic disorders. These cells can activate to become any other type of cell for the body. There is a virtually unlimited medical potential to embryonic stem cell applications. Through a process of consent, the stem cells can be taken from the extras created to provide potential treatments for others. If a pregnancy occurs early on in the process, the remaining embryos may no longer be needed. The goal is to create enough embryos from the treatment process to eventually create a pregnancy. Modern IVF treatments created multiple embryos. Even cord blood in long-term storage provides access to stem cells that could be used for research purposes. They can also be obtained through cord blood. There are ethical methods of harvesting.Įmbryonic stem cells are not created only through embryo destruction. Through embryonic stem cell research, these embryos are guaranteed to not go to waste.Ģ. Many of these are frozen and will never be used during their time of viability. There are more than 400,000 embryos currently in storage right now, just in the United States. List of the Embryonic Stem Cell Research Pros Here are some of the key points to consider. That is why the embryonic stem cell research pros and cons can be controversial from both sides of the debate. Some even believe that life begins before conception. ![]() Many people have differing opinions about the start of life. Does life begin at conception? Does it begin when a heartbeat can be detected? At a later point in time? ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |