Ethical Dilemmas in Modern Day Medicine: A Case Analysis Study of the Twentieth Century

(1900-2000) in Stem Cell Research

by Niyanthesh Reddy

EE Subject Area : World Studies

Vanguard High School
August 2014
Candidate Number: 00Advisor: Mrs. Wendy Furphy
Word Count: 3,895

Abstract
This essay discusses about the ethical dilemma surrounding the issue of Embryonic Stem
Cell Research and Therapy, how they have influenced modern day medicine. The boundaries
between what is ethically right and wrong and the solutions to existing problems need to be

clarified. Even though medicine can offer positive answers to discrete problems, it can also
introduce ambiguous and controversial ethical issues. As medical technology and procedures
become more sophisticated, physicians, patients, families, and lawmakers are regularly
confronted with various issues. For instance, some consider embryonic stem cell therapy to be
improper because of its side effects and some perceive it as having a great potential to
understand and treat a variety of diseases. As the Universal Declaration on Bioethics and
Humans Rights suggests, In applying and advancing scientific knowledge, medical practice and
associated technologies, human vulnerability should be taken into account. Individuals and
groups of special vulnerability should be protected and the personal integrity of such individuals
respected.

Word Count: 163

Contents
Title Page...................................................................................................... Page 1
Abstract..........................................................................................................Page 2

Contents.........................................................................................................Page 3
Extended Essay .............................................................................................Pages 4-18
Bibliography................................................................................................. Pages 19-20

Niyanthesh Reddy
Mrs. Wade

IB Extended Essay
August 16, 2014
Ethical Dilemmas in Modern Day Medicine: A Case Analysis Study of the Twentieth Century
(1900-2000)
While medicine can be a science that offers positive answers to discrete problems, it can
also introduce ambiguous and controversial ethical issues. As medical technology and procedures
become more sophisticated, physicians, patients, families, and lawmakers are regularly
confronted with new ethical dilemmas. Establishing ethical priorities in advance can help relieve
some of the conflicts when situations arise.
Physicians take the Hippocratic Oath swearing to practice medicine honestly and
righteously, however many believe that the violation of this oath is leading to major ethical
dilemmas. The Hippocratic Oath is as stated below...
" I swear by Apollo the physician, and Asclepius, and Hygeia and Panacea and all the
gods and goddesses as my witnesses, that, according to my ability and judgment, I will keep this
Oath and this contract: To hold him who taught me this art equally dear to me as my parents, to
be a partner in life with him, and to fulfill his needs when required; to look upon his offspring as
equals to my own siblings, and to teach them this art, if they shall wish to learn it, without fee or
contract; and that by the set rules, lectures, and every other mode of instruction (Hippocrates)

The most important controversial ethical issue being discussed in Modern Day Medicine
is Stem Cell Research. It has divided the scientific and religious communities around the world.
The central question is When does life begin? In current day society, most scientists use an
embryo using the cells from a patient's body. Although that embryo contains minimal cells, some

religious leaders say that destroying it is almost like taking a human life. The five major ethical
dilemmas presenting in Stem Cell Research are as follows...
Modern uses of Embryonic Stem Cells

There are three fundamental sorts of undifferentiated cells: grown-up , embryonic

undeveloped cells and actuated pluripotent immature cells.

In tissues like bone and muscle, stem cells can initiate the foundation for the production
of bone and muscle cells that are lost through trauma or infection or typical wear and tear
in the elderly. Adult undifferentiated cells are alluded to as physical undeveloped cells.
Embryonic stem cells generally form into the same sort of cell as the tissue in which they
reside. Stem cells found in muscle tissue, for instance, typically offer new avenues to
new muscle cell regeneration.

Embryonic stem cells are "starter cells" that can be turned into any of the specific cell lines of
the body, as they are "pluripotent." Embryonic undifferentiated cells are cultivated in the
labs.

What moral status does the human embryo have?

The moral status of the embryo is a controversial and complex issue. The main viewpoints are
outlined below.
1. The embryo has full moral status from fertilization onwards:
As the fertilized egg combines with the ovum, the embryo is formed and after several months, is
seen as a potential person. The criteria for personhood are notoriously unclear and there are
many different views about this.

Arguments for this view

Arguments against this view

Improvement from a prepared egg into to

An early fetus that has not yet been

infant is a constant methodology and any

embedded into the uterus does not have the

endeavor to pinpoint when personhood starts

mental, emotional or physical properties that

is subjective. A human fetus is a person in the

we connect with being an individual. It

embryonic stage, pretty much as a baby is an

accordingly does not have any capacity to

individual in the newborn child stage. Despite

decide too be secured and we can utilize it for

the fact that a developing life does not at

the well-being of patients (who ARE

present have the attributes of an individual, it

persons).

will turn into an individual and ought to be

given the admiration and nobility of an
individual.

The fetus can't form into a child without

being exchanged to a lady's uterus. It needs
outside help to create. And still, after all that,
the likelihood that fetuses utilized for as a
part of in-vitro fertilization will form into
full-term fruitful births is low. Something that

could possibly turn into an individual ought

not be dealt with as though it really were an
individual.
3. The embryo has increasing status as it develops
An embryo deserves some protection from the moment the sperm fertilizes the egg, and its moral
status increases as it becomes more human-like.

Arguments for this view

Arguments against this view

There are several stages of development that

Any persons life is considered as a potential

could be given increasing moral status:

value not just because of a universal point of

view, but because every individual or embryo

1. Six days after fertilization, the embryo gets

implanted into the uterine wall.
2. After fourteen days, the first signal of the

has a significant role to play. It is important

that the value of the embryo is recognized as
a complete life by itself.

development of the embryo starts with the

primitive streak which marks the beginning of

The moral status of the embryo cannot be

the nervous system development.

judged just from the time of conception

3. If the baby is born prematurely at this

because that would be considered an

stage, there is a high possibility that it will

inappropriate assumption. For example, if the

survive.

nervous system is considered the first

4. Conception.

evidence for life of an embryo then a person

who has a stroke and has lost several nerve

Depending on the stage of life when a fetus is

lost people perceive it from different aspects.

cells should be considered not as a living

being.

Prior to implantation, if the fertilized egg is

lost, it is not considered as important as

In order to come to a final decision whether a

loosing a baby that is already born.

fertilized egg is a human being or dead, we

Statistics show that after fertilization, more

need to have more substantial evidence

than 50% of the eggs are lost either due to

before we manipulate for scientific research

maternal infections or trauma or any other

purposes. It is improper for a hunter to shoot

natural cause. Such embryos could be used

without having evidence if the target is a

for research without any guilt.

human being or an animal.

4. The embryo has no moral status at all

An embryo is organic material and is considered just like any other part of the body.

Arguments for this view

Arguments against this view

Just like any other body part, human eggs that

If the embryo is being removed to take its

have been fertilized do not have the capability

embryonic cells, then we are not providing it

to develop independently. Blastocysts should

the chance to develop into a normal human

be considered just like people consider their

being which is its natural path.

property. Because a blastocyst has no personal

beliefs, expectations, desires, or any other
purpose, it is fair to destroy a blastocyst even
before it is implanted into the uterine wall.
Embryonic stem cell research and religion
The importance of early human embryo has been perceived differently by various religions
around the world. According to the Roman Catholic, Orthodox and conservative Protestant
Churches believe that the life of an embryo starts at conception and embryonic research should
notbe permitted. On the other hand, Judaism and Islam argue that the embryo does not have full
human status before 40 days and stress the importance of serving others, so both these religions
permit some research on embryos.