Hi! Thanks for the question.
The main ethical issue surrounding the controversy of stem cell
research is about the use of human embryos.
Scientists have mainly four sources for embryonic stem cells.
1. IVR – In Vitro Fertilization
2. Uniting donated eggs and sperm in the lab.
3. SCNT (somatic cell nuclear transfer) – “process through which the
genetic material from a body cell is transplanted into an egg cell;
this allows the creation of an embryo without fertilising the egg with
a sperm”
4. Aborted Fetuses
The next paragraphs explain the ethical dilemmas surrounding each of
them.
“The main ethical challenges associated with stem cell research have
to do with the source of those cells. Although some advances have been
made in the use of adult stem cells, the consensus seems to be that
the most promising categories of stem cells are embryonic stem (ES)
cells derived from the five- to seven-day-old embryos known as
blastocysts) and embryonic germ (EG) cells, derived from immature
aborted fetuses.”
IVF Clinic Embryos:
“One ethical concern here has to do with the status of the embryo
itself. The degree of respect that ought to be granted to a human
embryo is highly controversial. Some hold that the embryo –
genetically human and a potential person – deserves our full respect
and protection. Others hold that while the embryo may be genetically
human, it has (particularly at early stages) none of the
characteristics of persons.”
Donated eggs and sperm cells:
“The same issue of the ethical status of embryos arises here as arise
with embryos from IVF clinics. But in addition, custom-made embryos
raise questions about the ethics of using human embryos solely and
explicitly as a means to some end.
SCNT:
“Embryos created through SCNT would pose, to start with, the same
concerns as embryos in the first two categories. But in addition there
is the worry that SCNT is a cloning technique.”
Aborted fetuses:
“But most problematic is the fact that use of EG cells enmeshes stem
cell research in
the ongoing, emotionally charged debate over abortion. To many,
condoning the harvesting of EG cells for research is equivalent to
endorsing the abortion that made those cells avail-able.”
“Stem Cells: A Pluripotent Challenge”
http://www.ethicsweb.ca/papers/BioScan-cm.pdf
In an interesting letter to the JAMA website, these other issues are
being taken as cases in point.
“Producing eggs engenders increased risks for women. Hyperstimulation
can lead to liver damage, kidney failure, or stroke, and
ovulation-stimulating drugs have been associated with ovarian cancer,
according to some studies.”
“Although women might be willing to undergo such risks for the sake of
having a child, it seems clear that either payment for eggs or
coercion would have to be used to persuade women to produce eggs for
stem cell research”
“As with kidneys, hearts, and certain other body parts, society is
reluctant to allow human eggs to enter into the stream of commerce…”
“…it leaves stem cell research in the hands of private commercial
enterprises, which are not bound by federal research regulations and
tend to keep proprietary information secret.”
“Ethical Issues in Embryonic Stem Cell Research“
http://jama.ama-assn.org/issues/v285n11/ffull/jlt0321-1.html
The following articles might be of interest to your research as well:
“The Dilemma of Embryonic Stem Cell Research”
http://www.drtomdooley.com/scr.html
“Stem Cell Research, The Law, Ethics And Common Sense”
http://unisci.com/stories/20012/0601016.htm
“Therapeutic Uses of Cloning and Embryonic Stem Cells”
http://www.srtp.org.uk/clonin50.htm
Search terms used:
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I hope these links would help you in your research. Before rating this
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Regards,
Easterangel-ga
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