A cell is the smallest structural and functional unit of an organism. Stem cells are undifferentiated cells. “The essential characteristics of [these] cells are their ability for self-renewal and the ability to form one or more specialised cell types over time” (Carvalho and Ramalho-Santos 596). In other words, they serve as an internal repair system. When a stem cell divides, each new cell can either remain a stem cell or any other type of cell with a normal yet more specialized and enhanced function. These cells have great potential to miraculously treat diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and Alzheimer 's. Further stem cell research can lead to screening new drugs, developing model systems to study normal growth, and identifying the causes of birth defects. There are two types of stem cells: embryonic and adult stem cells. Embryonic stem cell research has caused a stir in society, and the question scientists and Roman Catholics ask is if this research should be pursued or if stem cell research should be limited to only adult stem cells. Stem cell research should involve not only adult stem cells, but also embryonic stem cells because these embryos could also save someone’s life. In 1995, Congress restricted embryo research, constricting federal funds for it. In other words, there is no law that bans ESC (embryonic stem cells) research. However, on August 1, 2001, former President George W. Bush announced that federal funds may be used for research using human ESCs if the following requirements are met: the derivation method was initiated before 9:00 PM on August 9, 2001, the stem cells were derived from an embryo that was created for reproductive purposes and was no longer needed, and the informed consent was obtained for embryo donation and if that donation had no financial inducements involved. On March 9, 2009, President Barack Obama issued Executive Order 13505. This order removes “limitations on scientific inquiry, to expand NIH support for the exploration of human stem cell research and [...] to enhance the contribution of America’s scientists to important new discoveries and new therapies for the benefit of humankind” (Obama). “Embryonic stem cells are derived from embryos that develop from eggs that have been fertilized [...] in an in vitro fertilization clinic and then donated for research purposes with informed consent of the donors. They are not derived from eggs fertilized in a woman’s body” (Stem Cell Basics). They are also donated if, under the parents’ consent, they are no longer needed for reproductive purposes. These cells are pluripotent; they can grow into any kind of tissue in the body. The process to harvest these cells involves destroying the embryo. Destroying an embryo for stem cells has become a politically controversial and unjust process because some people believe that it is unethical to obtain fetal
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For example, the risk of immunological rejection is alleviated because it is the patient’s own genetic material that is being used in the process. This treatment allows scientists to create stem cell therapies that are patient-specific and perfectly matched for the patient’s medical condition. Another reason why such cloning is beneficial is because patients will not experience any pain when receiving a transplant. If therapeutic cloning is successful, then replacement organs would become freely available at any time to the sick and dying, thus saving many lives. It also enhances our understanding of stem cells, which could lead to new treatments or cures for common diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, paralysis, etc. Therapeutic cloning has helped thousands people worldwide who have suffered from blood cancers such as leukemia. Today, many cell therapies are being tested for their safety; once they are approved, many people will benefit from them. Although there are many pros in therapeutic cloning, there are also problems in it that should be noted. First, a viable, fertilized egg is required in order for the treatment to be performed. This cloning results in a destroyed embryo after the ESCs are extracted. Second, obtaining eggs from a female is costly and painful. Therapeutic cloning is believed to be unethical since destroying an embryo is no different than destroying a human life. Lastly, it currently has a low success rate, so if anything goes wrong in the process, then the cells could mutate, thus causing tumors in
For example, the risk of immunological rejection is alleviated because it is the patient’s own genetic material that is being used in the process. This treatment allows scientists to create stem cell therapies that are patient-specific and perfectly matched for the patient’s medical condition. Another reason why such cloning is beneficial is because patients will not experience any pain when receiving a transplant. If therapeutic cloning is successful, then replacement organs would become freely available at any time to the sick and dying, thus saving many lives. It also enhances our understanding of stem cells, which could lead to new treatments or cures for common diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, paralysis, etc. Therapeutic cloning has helped thousands people worldwide who have suffered from blood cancers such as leukemia. Today, many cell therapies are being tested for their safety; once they are approved, many people will benefit from them. Although there are many pros in therapeutic cloning, there are also problems in it that should be noted. First, a viable, fertilized egg is required in order for the treatment to be performed. This cloning results in a destroyed embryo after the ESCs are extracted. Second, obtaining eggs from a female is costly and painful. Therapeutic cloning is believed to be unethical since destroying an embryo is no different than destroying a human life. Lastly, it currently has a low success rate, so if anything goes wrong in the process, then the cells could mutate, thus causing tumors in