Genetic Engineering, Cloning, and Stem Cell Research
Research over the last few decades has enabled scientists to identify the genes that compose the human body. Although this is a fascinating branch of scientific research, the numerous uses of genetic engineering carry with them many ethical questions. Some of the possible uses of gene manipulation listed by Boss (2013) include: cloning to produce or replace children or to create children with special qualities, manipulation of genes in order to prolong life or direct evolution, cloning animals to prevent extinction or to infect with human disease for research, utilization of animal or human clones to produce transplant organs, predicting and treating genetic disease and stem cell medicine …show more content…
Many arguments are made that the use of frozen embryos in research is the equivalent of destroying life. This argument can be supported by the idea that life starts when given time, nutrition, and a favorable environment an organisms is able to differentiate into an adult human (Sullivan & John, 2016, p. 342). The entire nature of stem cell research is based on the fact that these cells can multiply and differentiate. Alternative sources of stem cells such as iPSCs may be a more accepted direction for research. Regardless, embryonic stem cell research is still necessary in order for scientist to discover the normal growth and development of cells as well as the optimal environment to support cell and tissue growth. It is essential that all research is closely monitored to prevent misuse. Stem cell research guidelines address issues such as the possibility of creating mutations that can lead to epidemics, the significance of obtaining a complete medical history from donors and keeping a registry so donors can be notified if mutations occur in the stem cell line, and the importance of cell banks to maintain accurate records and share findings .Guidelines also speak to the problems involved in privately funded trials where resources that could be better used elsewhere are misappropriated to pay for unproven interventions(Guidelines Update Task Force, 2016). Given the many reservations in embryonic research, it may be advisable to redirect funding to further explore options for cell regeneration therapy such as iPSCs and umbilical cord blood. It is important to realize that discovery of exciting treatment potential can at times be over exaggerated while the challenges and risks are understated. The therapeutic use of embryonic stem cells is only in the beginning stages. Care must be taken to ensure that evidenced based practice is not replaced by unproven trials and that all
Research over the last few decades has enabled scientists to identify the genes that compose the human body. Although this is a fascinating branch of scientific research, the numerous uses of genetic engineering carry with them many ethical questions. Some of the possible uses of gene manipulation listed by Boss (2013) include: cloning to produce or replace children or to create children with special qualities, manipulation of genes in order to prolong life or direct evolution, cloning animals to prevent extinction or to infect with human disease for research, utilization of animal or human clones to produce transplant organs, predicting and treating genetic disease and stem cell medicine …show more content…
Many arguments are made that the use of frozen embryos in research is the equivalent of destroying life. This argument can be supported by the idea that life starts when given time, nutrition, and a favorable environment an organisms is able to differentiate into an adult human (Sullivan & John, 2016, p. 342). The entire nature of stem cell research is based on the fact that these cells can multiply and differentiate. Alternative sources of stem cells such as iPSCs may be a more accepted direction for research. Regardless, embryonic stem cell research is still necessary in order for scientist to discover the normal growth and development of cells as well as the optimal environment to support cell and tissue growth. It is essential that all research is closely monitored to prevent misuse. Stem cell research guidelines address issues such as the possibility of creating mutations that can lead to epidemics, the significance of obtaining a complete medical history from donors and keeping a registry so donors can be notified if mutations occur in the stem cell line, and the importance of cell banks to maintain accurate records and share findings .Guidelines also speak to the problems involved in privately funded trials where resources that could be better used elsewhere are misappropriated to pay for unproven interventions(Guidelines Update Task Force, 2016). Given the many reservations in embryonic research, it may be advisable to redirect funding to further explore options for cell regeneration therapy such as iPSCs and umbilical cord blood. It is important to realize that discovery of exciting treatment potential can at times be over exaggerated while the challenges and risks are understated. The therapeutic use of embryonic stem cells is only in the beginning stages. Care must be taken to ensure that evidenced based practice is not replaced by unproven trials and that all