Colton Fredy

Biology 1010
07/27/2016

Embryonic Stem Cell Research

Embryonic stem cell research is very controversial topic involving many factors that need
to be considered before judging the practice as barbaric or forward-thinking. Embryotic stem
cells (ESC) are derived from embryos (National Institutes or Health). Theses embryos are
gathered from donors then are fertilized- in and in vitro fertilization clinic-and then donated for
research purposes with the informed consent of the donors. Most important of all is that the
ESC are not derived from eggs fertilized in a womans body (National Institutes or Health).
ESC, being a hotly debated topic, one has to look at both sides. The scientific side of the ESC
research and the moral side to it.
ESC research can provide the human race with the ability to combat many different
diseases and ailments. As the population grows, so does the need for organs that were damaged
due to ailment or life tragedy. Unfortunately, the organ recipient list is growing faster than the
organ donor list. One primary way to combat this is by studying how stem cells develop into
heart muscle cells and could provide clues about how we could induce heart muscle repair
(California's Stem Cell Agency). This is just one application with one organ of the human body.
While this is still theory theres no limit to the types of diseases that could be treated with stem
cell research (California's Stem Cell Agency). There are many advantages to ESC research: a
field that is monitored and cared for properly can lead to saving human lives that at one point in
time would have been a lost cause.
There are two sides to every coin and three sides to every story, yours, mine, and the
truth. ESC research has many moral and even scientific draw backs. The main question to
consider being when does the concept of life begin? Many argue that it is morally
impermissible to intentionally kill innocent human beings; the human embryo is an innocent

Colton Fredy
Biology 1010
07/27/2016

human being (Siegel). There must be a qualification on when life begins and when its just
harvesting a mass of cells. For those that oppose stem cell research, the argument is that life
begins at the emergence of the one-cell zygote at fertilization (Siegel). The main challenge to
this is that twinning is possible until around days 14-15 of an embryos development (Siegel).
This asserts that not all humans can assert that life begins as a zygote, however, it also doesnt
support that life doesnt begin as a zygote. This topic is still being debated and will till the end of
time. The main question is when does human life begin? One has to draw their own
conclusions with the evidence given. This can be influenced by many factors of ones own life.
In the end ESC research can lead the way to a future where disease is a relic of the past.
However, there is a cost both financially and morally. The financial side is more black and white.
However, morally it is a murky body of water that many dare not tread. While it is important to
put guide lines on the research, I personally dont believe that life begins at the one-cell zygote
stage. As long as the practice is to grow the cells in a lab and they are taken at prescribed periods
then I dont see how life would be destroyed. I have read the above articles and while there is
much information on the topic for and against the practice of stem cell research in general, I
believe that the benefits outweigh the cost. This comes from a person who has watched many
relatives degrade in health over long and short periods of time. I believe the question is, what is
the value of a grown humans life who has a family and loved ones compared to a one-cell
zygotes with no familial ties yet established? This sounds cruel but I believe this to be the how
one should look at it.

Colton Fredy
Biology 1010
07/27/2016

References
California's Stem Cell Agency. The Power of Stem Cells. February 2016. Webpage. 27
July 2016.
National Institutes or Health. Stem Cell Information . 17 June 2015. Webpage . 27
July 2016.
Siegel, Andrew. Ethics of Stem Cell Research . 25 April 2008. Webpage. 27 July
2016.