Stem Cell Research – Killing Lives To Save Lives?
Embryonic stem cell research is a highly debated topic, no doubt about it. There are arguments on both sides that I support, however there are also plenty of ridiculous arguments for and against the research. Why am I bringing this up now? Bush, while his administration did allow for some stem cell research, imposed limits which severely impacted the progress of such research. Obama hopes to reverse these limits and will be announcing it sometime this week. What I want to do is first clear up the facts.
Embryonic stem cells are basically blueprint cells; they are cells which can become any other cell in the body. There are actually several kinds of such cells. There are adult stem cells and younger stem cells found in fluids in the placenta. However, embryonic stem cells are the easiest to work with and as such are most needed by scientists in order to further discoveries. The hope is that we can control what these cells turn into, and then use this technology to cure diseases such as Alzheimer’s (which kills off brain cells).
We also know that our only way of obtaining these embryonic stem cells is by essentially destroying the embryo itself. In the eyes of many, this is seen as equivalent to killing a human life. Such is the dilemma then: we can potentially cure life threatening diseases but only by killing innocent lives. I’d have to say that this is a fairly solid argument, and one that’s not easily overcome.
One such challenge to the killing of human life is that the embryo would have been thrown away anyway at an abortion clinic. Now, given the choice of completely throwing away the life and using it in order to further research, I’d pick research. However, you have to take into account views on abortion. Those who believe abortions are murder will obviously not condone abortions in the first place and thus this line of debate is completely nullified. But we have to think realistically, not ideally. Assuming abortions will not be outlawed for a while, wouldn’t it be better to use the embryos for research rather than throwing them away?
The argument I don’t like that pro-stem cell research proponents use is that the killing of an embryo is not killing life. I would have to disagree. I’ll use this definition of life as my example: (source: http://www.prolifephysicians.org/lifebegins.htm)
1. Living things are highly organized.
2. All living things have an ability to acquire materials and energy.
3. All living things have an ability to respond to their environment.
4. All living things have an ability to reproduce.
5. All living things have an ability to adapt.
Given this definition, life would begin as soon as the egg and the sperm unite. An embryo is quite organized, it acquires materials and energy, it responds to its environment, it obviously reproduces, and it can adapt. It may be limited in its adaptation skills and its environmental responses, but they are there nonetheless. Thus, unless someone can convince me otherwise, the embryo is a life.
Can we justify the killing of life in order to save lives? When starting a business, you can risk taking a loss before making (hopefully) significant gains. Can we do the same with human lives? Can we take losses in order to possibly make future gains? Please let me know what you think.
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JollyRoger Said,
March 9, 2009 @ 12:25 am
I would have to disagree; most of the eggs we eat are fertilized eggs, but they’re still eggs. I don’t think that many people would agree that they’re eating baby chicks.
I believe some form of consciousness has to come into play before we can declare something a being.
Alberto Said,
March 9, 2009 @ 1:55 am
Yes, you have a point. I neglected to mention it because I wanted someone to bring it up. It goes into the whole “is a human life worth more than an animal’s life” debate. Can you honestly disagree with stem cell research while at the same time eating plenty of cow, or fertilized eggs?
Does a tree have consciousness though? Trees are certainly living, but are they a being? Your comment is always appreciated!
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March 9, 2009 @ 11:33 am
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Carl Said,
March 9, 2009 @ 4:33 pm
I agree with your post to a certain degree. Keep doing what your doing… a living being is living and has a certain degree of intelligence.
Alberto Said,
March 9, 2009 @ 6:39 pm
Couldn’t hurt to get more information. Thanks for sharing!
Alberto Said,
March 9, 2009 @ 6:40 pm
Thanks for commenting and welcome to the blog!
Mario Said,
April 21, 2009 @ 10:38 pm
Im going to have to disagree to the part where you said that the embryo can adapt. The embryo, evolutionarily speaking, has adapted to grow within the uterus, etc etc. But if one were to introduce anything to the uterus the embryo would die, or if one were to somehow alter the uterus it would die, or if it was removed from the uterus it would die. The adaptations of the embryo can not really be compared to how a born human adapts.
tigger Said,
June 23, 2009 @ 4:46 pm
Like this article. Just wanted to make one comment. Stem cells are never and have never, ever been taken from embryos at an abortion clinic!!!
These embryos are the results of fertility treatments. Sperm and egg cells are taken from couples that are having trouble conceiving and several egg are fertilized. once they are big enough, an embryo is planted into the woman to hopefully be carried to birth. The “extra” embryos are kept frozen in case the pregnancy doesn’t take.
it is these left over embryos that are used for stem cell research.
During an abortion, embryos are destroyed and cant be used for stem cell research.
Tips for Health Said,
June 26, 2009 @ 11:36 am
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Tom Said,
September 2, 2009 @ 7:01 am
Great blog, I hope it does spark some debate. Please see a similar blog from across the pond: http://issues1.blogspot.com/