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Adrianna Crow
Mrs. Blattman, Instructor
Biology 1010-01
16 December 2014
Scientific Issue: Embryonic Stem Cells
Embryonic stem cells have created a strong controversy among many people
including scientist, doctors, religious leaders and normal American people. A large
quantity of people believe that this scientific breakthrough has the ability to save
hundreds of lives while others believe that the study is no different than committing a
murder. Embryonic stem cells are a type of stem cells that are retrieved only by the
destruction of human embryos. Because of this, embryonic stem cells are often
compared to abortion and looked down upon by multitudes of people.
Embryonic stem cells have many pros and cons that assist audiences in
choosing which side of the argument they will stand by. Although the average stem cell
has great capability to help cure many diseases and disabilities, it is believed by several
scientists in the genetics field the embryonic stem cells can do that and more. The
common stem cell, or the adult stem cell, is often considered less versatile due to the
fact that is retrieved from an adult patient or donor causing the stem cells to be older.
The age of these stem cells causes their ability to reform into the necessary tissues
much more difficult. The embryonic stem cells however, are new, fresh and easily
cultured into the cells that a doctor may need whether its blood cells, nerve cells,
cardiac cells or liver cells (Embryonic Stem Cell Research Pros and Cons). There have
been many success stories including the use of stem cells. Bishop Thomas (Joseph)

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points out in his article Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research: Its Importance in the
Culture Wars that there are about 45,000 transplants in the United States every year
(Bishop Thomas 63).
Along with the positives of a situation there must also be negatives. The biggest
argument associated with embryonic stem cells is that such research involves one or
more of the manufacture, experimentation upon, and destruction of innocent human
beings (Oderberg). Because these stem cells come from human embryos it is
necessary that the embryo must be destroyed in order to attain them. Studies have
been performed in which embryonic stem cells are acquired without the loss of the
embryo however such procedures included the practice of cloning (The Survival
Doctor). Unfortunately this brings up another controversial issue and ultimately solves
nothing. Another attempt to resolve the issue was by creating embryos in a lab
specifically for studies and experimentation, though this still presents the topic of
destroying young human life, whether done with scientific purpose or not.
I have written multiple papers on the use of both stem cells and embryonic stem
cells and I have grown very familiar with many of the arguments and points of
disagreement. I have also become very familiar with the miracles that this science has
to offer. Personally, I feel that scientist have jumped through enough hoops with the
development of science specific embryos and proof of successful experiments that the
research should continue further. Not only will this save thousands of lives, but it will
also lead to scientific discoveries that may lead to greater scientific breakthroughs.
Works Cited

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"Embryonic Stem-Cell Research: Experts Debate Pros and Cons." The
Survival Doctor. The Survival Doctor, 14 Feb. 2013. Web. 16 Dec. 2014.
"Embryonic Stem Cell Research Pros and Cons." Health Research Funding.
Health Research Funding, 28 Dec. 2013. Web. 16 Dec. 2014.
Oderberg, David S. "Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research: What's Wrong
With It?." Human Life Review 30.1 (2005): 21. TOPICsearch. Web. 16 Dec.
2014.
Thomas (Joseph), Bishop. Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research: Its
Importance In The Culture Wars. Christian Bioethics: Non-Ecumenical
Studies In Medical Morality 19.1 (2013): 60-71. Academic Search Premier.
Web. 20 Oct. 2014.