The Ethics Of Stem Cell Research - 1643 Words

Michael Thomas Philosophy 3520 Bioethics The Ethics of Stem Cell Research Science fiction has tried to encapsulate social responses that could arise with the development of genetically altered or â€Å"enhanced† human beings. Regenerative medicine, genetic cloning and life extension are all terms that sound like they came out of a fantastic film or novel, though they are in fact subjects of great research and heated debates. Embryonic stem cells are arguably the quintessential building block of life itself. They’re â€Å"undifferentiated cells produced after a fertilized egg has divided several times and developed into a blastocyst,† which is â€Å"a hollow ball of cells† inside which is a group of â€Å"fifteen to twenty embryonic stem cells.†Ã¢â‚¬ ¦show more content†¦One of which is the belief that from the moment of conception, a fertilized egg is â€Å"a human subject with a well defined identity.† Any form of harm being committed against this innocent life should be considered inhumane. A developing cell mass, even in the beginning stages of life has all of the rights a human child would have. Many researchers believe that there is potential to reach a point where embryonic research may lead to breakthroughs in adult stem cells which are not obtained from, and thus do not mean the destruction of, embryos. However, it is the firm stance of the Magisterium of the Church that even a noble end cannot be justified with immoral means of obtaining it. Therefore, research should continue on adult stem cells so long as it does not incorporate the use or exploitation of embryonic stem cells, or even of cell lines that have already been developed using embryos. Therapeutic Cloning is a term used in conjunction with a branch of embryonic stem cell research in which an embryo is cloned and the clone is used for its stem cells, leaving the original embryo unscathed. According to â€Å"The Academy,† [Pontifical Academy for Life] using even a cloned embryo is considered to be morally objectionable. Each of the embryos in this