Stem cell research
Visual opinion-based product
What are the issues with stem cell research?
According to MedicalNewsToday.com the ethical problem with embryonic stem cell research is that the research results in the embryos being destroyed. There are many people opposed to stem cell research because they believe that destroying a human embryo is wrong and is the same as killing a child. There are numerous people who believe that the research is unethical, unmoral, and goes against God, thus their religious beliefs. The stem cell research has brought many difficult questions to light such as questioning when a life begins and if a human embryo is the same as a child. Another ethical concern is the fact that iPS cells which have the ability to develop into a human embryo. There are also political issues regarding stem cell research. The U.S. has laws that prohibit the creation of embryos for research purposes where scientists receive leftover embryos from fertility clinics with consent from the donors. However there are disagreements over the funding of stem cell research. According to learn.genetics.utah.edu/ an example of the many disagreements over the funding of stem cells is the question of whether taxpayer dollars should be used to fund stem cell research even if they find it unethical. In 2001 President Bush limited federal funding to a study of about 70 hES cell lines but President Obama overturned Bush’s policy in 2009, expanding the number of stem cells available to researchers.
Stem Cells
Who are the stake makers in the decision?
The government, those opposed to stem cell research, and the Human Embryo Research Panel are the stake makers in the decision of stem cell research.
What values are at stake in the decision?
The values are at stake in this decision are the ethical and moral beliefs that contribute to the opposition of stem cell research.
Stem cell research
By: Malina Lear, Emily Munoz, Isavictoria Martinez
Options
What options do you see available to resolve this dilemma?
The options that I see to resolve this dilemma are to use alternative research that are not as controversial as human embryo stem cell research or the solution where scientists can only use their new methods for stem cell research that doesn't destroy human embryos.
What options are the most compelling?
The option that is the most compelling is for scientists to only use their new methods for stem cell research that doesn't destroy human embryos because it allows scientists to continue their research without starting from scratch to try and find new methods for their research and the research will be less opposed because a human embryo will not be destroyed.
How would you resolve this dilemma?
I would have scientists use methods that didn't involve destroying a human embryo.
What values did you rely on to make your decision?
The values that I rely on to make my decision were my ethical, moral, and religious beliefs. My beliefs allowed me to make a decision that didn't involve human embryos to be destroyed because I don't believe in ending one life for the possibility of saving another.
Conequences
What consequences do you see your decision has on others involved?
I don’t see many consequences to my decision because most people are opposed to human embryos being destroyed in stem cell research. However, my decision might delay certain progress of different areas of stem cell research.
Could you personally live with this decision?
I could live with this decision because it eliminates most of the tension over the controversy of stem cell research.