Stem Cell Research(Con Viewpoint)

Statement

The purpose of this paper is to investigate stem cell research. This paper will also give you a better understanding of the topic. The main issue that will be discussed is the fact of whether it is ethical or not. The two positions of the debate on embryonic research are the side that believes that the embryo is a human being and have rights and who are against it and the other side that believes that the early embryo is too simple in structure and development to have moral status or interests.

Rationale of the Problem

I am interested in this topic because it is so controversial. This topic is very important because it is a major life issue raising many social and religious issues. I also think it is an important issue right now and that we should be informed on stem cell research.

Position

This paper deals with the cons of stem cell research. The research of stem cells is seen as unethical because of its source, human embryos and fetus. Another negative issue would be the tumors that have grown on the tissues used from the stem cells which have prevented serious effectiveness for medical use.

Opening Statement

Stem cell research is a controversial issue that takes stem cells from human embryos to make medical advances. There is a widespread controversy on this topic because of the way that they obtain the stem cells. At the end of reading this paper you will be informed of the negative side of stem cell research. This paper will persuade you to be against stem cell research.

Review of Literature

Stem cell research dates all the way back to the mid 1800s when it was discovered that certain cells could generate other cells. This has evolved to the controversial issue we have today of using human embryos stem cells. The controversy surrounding stem cell research is that the human embryo must be either destroyed or cloned to obtain the stem cells. The controversy comes in where people are saying that the embryo has rights and it is wrong to destroy it.

There are three different types of stem cells totipotent, pluripotent, and multipotent. They are based on their ability to differentiate. Totipotent cells are the first cells that develop as soon as the sperm reaches the egg. These cells can be distinguished into embryonic and extra embryonic cells. Pluripotent cells are of the origin of totipotent cells and can be distinguished between the endoderm, mesoderm and ectoderm. Multipotent cells are only able to produce cells of closely related families.

In the summer of 2006 President Bush vetoed a bill passed by the Senate that would have enabled federal funding of embryonic stem cell research. Americas federal funding can currently only go to research on stem cells from embryos that already exist that are destroyed. Canada, very similar to the U.S. outlaws stem cell research unless the embryo is already destroyed. Canadians are not allowed to clone them either like the U.S. The UK unlike the U.S. and Canada has legalized embryonic stem cell cloning.

Economic Implications

Proposition 71 is a California stem cell research and cures initiative that would make stem cell research a constitutional state right.