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Logan Aeschlimann
Mrs. Harris
English IV
3 May 2017
Embryo Mapping
Late one night a woman is driving home on the freeway, shes hit head on by a drunk
driver and killed. The man is charged with two accounts of murder; the woman, and her four-
week-old embryo inside her. By law, everyone human being is guaranteed rights of life; born or
unborn they are equal. The same law should be enforced concerning human embryonic stem cell
research. Dr. James A. Thomson discovered stem cells in 1998 and theyve intrigued scientist
ever since. The stem cells themselves are derived from a three to four day old cluster of cells
called a blastocyst and they are so coveted because they are pluripotent, meaning they can
differentiate into any type of cell in the human body. Although embryonic stem cells show
amazing potential to cure various disease such as cancer, congestive heart failure, Alzheimers
and Parkinsons disease, muscular dystrophies, and more. The methods by which they are
obtained is controversial. Research on embryonic stem cells is unethical, unnecessary, and purely
homicide.
Unquestionably, stem cell research is unethical on multiple accounts. Firstly, embryos are
human beings and even though theyre a few days old they are not a pre-embryo, a term stating
that after conception, the embryo was actually not an embryo. Thankfully, that term is now
known as scientifically invalid. As soon as the DNA is fully operational its human, embryos
arent merely biological tissues or clusters of cells; they are the tiniest of human beings
(C.B.H.D. 2). Additionally, research on embryos is a violation of human rights and there is no
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greater good by doing so in the name of medicine. There have been gross violations of human
rights in the past and destruction of an embryo to salvage stem cells breaking the law. Even with
the potential of stem cells, the moral costs of continuing such research outweighs any potential
benefits (Reaves 2). Most importantly, taking a life in order to save on defeats all purposes of
human ethics. Some stem cells have even been manually cultivated in a lab specifically to
dismantle and acquire stem cells, an abhorrent abuse of human embryos. Using HESCs (human
embryonic stem cells) is barbaric and cold-hearted; there is no need to destroy a life to save
another.
In fact, further research on embryonic stem cells is unnecessary because of the promising
signs of adult stem cells. Particularly in their versatility; once thought to be omnipotent,
continued studies have shown somatic, or adult, cells to be pluripotent. These are less
controversial because they are extracted through tissue samples and not destruction of an embryo
and are stored in every humans body. These new findings are so encouraging that human
embryonic stem cells may soon be eclipsed by more readily available and less controversial adult
stem cells (Human Embryos 1 from British Medical Journal 1999). Also, there are several forms
of adult stem cells namely; bone marrow, hematopoietic cells, umbilical cord, Mesenchymal
cells, and fetal bone marrow stem cells. Fetal bone marrow cells show the most potential and
researchers at John Hopkins University believe that adult stem cells may be used for treatments
such as cancer, congestive heart failure, muscular dystrophies, spinal cord damage, etc
(C.B.H.D. 3). Adult stem cells are the future of modern medicine. Indeed, some forms of adult
stem cells have already been used in clinical trials on patients with Leukemia and gene therapy
treatments. Furthermore, adult stem cells show the greatest potential because of their side effects,
or lack of them. Because they originate inside the patients body there is less of a risk for the
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immune system to reject the transplantation. And as scientists continue to discover the mysteries
of adult stem cells many medicinal issues with become obsolete. Interestingly, researchers at
Harvard University reported that they changed one type of adult cell into another live human
being. If this reversion process were successful, it would remove critical moral and ethical
objections.
Above all, destroying a human embryo to harvest stem cells is pure homicide. Due to the
fact that embryos are defenseless and they deserve every right a human being is given. According
to current legislation homicide laws of all 50 states protect human life . . . especially the
vulnerable (Human Embryos 1), and embryos are clearly vulnerable. Non pro-life advocates
need to understand that embryonic stem cell research is the destruction of human life and that
every embryo has the potential to grow into a fully developed adult. Why sacrifice a baby for the
sake of medicine? Pope John Paul II put it best, stating, America can show the world the path to
a truly humane future in which man remains the master, not the product, of his technology
(Issitt 9). Essentially, the United States should not be enslaved to the continual progress of the
greater good. Full support is offered to further research on adult stem cells but research on
With the current ban on embryonic stem cell research federal funding has been declined, and for
good reasons, scientists should look into adult stem cells and their promises. Although, thought
to be the most valuable, embryonic stem cells are too controversial and the methods are
horrendous at best. The US federal government shouldnt condone or pay for further funding on
HESCs but rather somatic stem cells. Every human is guaranteed equal rights, born or unborn
and every man is created equal. We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more
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perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense,
promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity,
do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.
Works Citied
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"AAAS - Center for Science, Technology and Congress." AAAS - The World's Largest General
"An Overview of Stem Cell Research | The Center for Bioethics & Human Dignity." The Center
Farrell, Courtney, and Rosalyn Carson-Dewitt. "Stem Cell Research: An Overview." Points of
Issitt, Micah, and Matt Donnely. "Counterpoint: Stem Cell Research Is Dangerous, Unethical,
and Ineffective." Points of View: Stem Cell Research (2009): 3. EBSCO. Web. 18 Apr.
2011.
Reaves, Jessica. "The Great Debate Over Stem Cell Research - TIME." Breaking News,
Analysis, Politics, Blogs, News Photos, Video, Tech Reviews - TIME.com. 11 July 2001.
"What Are Embryonic Stem Cells? [Stem Cell Information]." NIH Stem Cell Information Home