Ethical Considerations on Embryonic Stem Cells
Stem cells, particularly embryonic stem cells, are becoming increasingly used in the medical field in the regeneration and renewal of tissues and organs. Embryonic stem cells are produced in the embryo and so there are two possibilities for harvesting — one naturally and the other in a laboratory or fertility clinic. This article addresses the laboratory angle.
There are many different types of stem cells however, we can split them up into 4 general groups. The first type is adult stem cells. These stem cells have one specific function. For example, you could have an adult skin stem cell that is used specifically to repair or replace your skin once it is damaged or in need of replacement. The second type are embryonic stem cells, the main subject of this article. These stem cells are extremely important and useful as unlike many other stem cells, they have the ability to become any type of cell. They pose the biggest opportunity to learn and perhaps one day, to grow an organ in its entirety. Induced pluripotent stem cells (IPS) are stem cells that are artificially created. These stem cells are given the property of pluripotency so that the cells can specialize into whatever the body needs. Finally, there are also stem cells obtained from cord blood and amniotic fluid. Cord blood cells are considered multipotent and if collected at birth, could help cure many diseases that one might face over their lives.
Embryonic Stem Cells — In Detail
Embryonic stem cells are a special type of stem cell that can reproduce and become any type of cell (they have the property of pluripotency) and pose the greatest opportunity to replace and regenerate dead or diseased tissues and organs. As the name suggests, the embryonic stem cells are taken from the embryo. Generally, these cells are harvested 4–5 days after fertilization so that the cells can be multiplied in a laboratory. These stem cells only exist in early stage embryos. Once the embryonic stem cells are taken from the inner mass of the blastocyst (ball of cells that rapidly divides - its inner cell group becomes the embryo while its outer cell group acts as protection), there is a world of possibility that opens up for research. The dilemma however is should we use these stem cells? As the stem cells must be taken after the embryo is destroyed some people believe that we are killing potential life while others believe that there is no life present yet.
The First Argument — For
Perspective A: The use and harvesting of embryonic stem cells does not bother me because 4–5 days after fertilization means that it is not guaranteed that a baby will develop. Getting rid of the blastula for the cells is not a big deal because there is no life yet.
Perspective B: The use and harvesting of embryonic stem cells does not bother me because I think that the positives outweigh the negatives. Personally, I believe that life is not being destroyed because there is no fetus developed yet. However, in my opinion, destroying the blastocyst is worth it in the long run because we can use those cells to save many more people and research. To me, it is destroying a potential life, one in which we have no way of knowing if it will develop or not, in order to make progress in saving people with diseases like Parkinson’s.
Now these two perspectives are for the usage and harvesting of embryonic stem cells, one on the far end of the spectrum and one a little bit closer to the middle. The problem with this ethical dilemma is that it becomes a conversation of when people think that human life develops. Some people believe that human life begins immediately at conception while others believe that it does not happen right away, but rather once the fetus has an audible heartbeat or when the fetus begins to take on the physical appearance of a human. It is truly a dilemma that has the world split.
The Second Argument — Against
Perspective C: The use and harvesting of embryonic stem cells does bother me, because to me, at conception, there is a life at stake. Although I understand that these cells can be taken to save many lives and research many diseases that are killing so many, I think that because there is a potential life it would be unethical to destroy it.
Perspective D: The use and harvesting of embryonic stem cells does bother me because I believe that a life is created at conception. In my opinion, destroying the blastocyst to get the stem cells is destroying human life. Honestly, it is the plain and simple definition of murder.
Here we are presented with the other side of the argument. Once again, perspective C is closer to the center of the spectrum while D takes a stance far over at the other end of the spectrum. The problem once again is that you cannot tell anyone that they are wrong. Everyone has an opinion of their own and you cannot tell someone when life starts because there is no hard, factual evidence that people all over agree upon. This is why taking embryonic stem cells is so ethically problematic.
My Thoughts
It is more challenging to conclude on natural embryo extraction from an ethical perspective however, laboratory production may have a more logical conclusion. Hundreds, even thousands of embryos are thrown away annually by fertility clinics that cannot use them. Normally this is due to people not paying storage fees and failing to respond to clinic contact. Why are we not using them for research instead of giving them to waste? If either way they are not going to be used for creating life, we should be using them to save lives. Some people believe that the blastocyst is just a group of cells that can be used for research while others believe that it is human life. Others think that while they hold potential for human life, certain research projects are worth using these stem cells for. Everyone deserves an opinion but I just wonder why we do not choose to do something with the cells we throw away if they are going to waste anyways. Opinions aside, these cells are not going to be used by humans for life and so instead of throwing them away, let’s use them for a worthwhile purpose. Let’s save lives.