Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research Essay

Scientific search has serve a long way since the beginning usage of forgiving embryos to report and prevent diseases. The polio vaccine was invented in the 1950s from the work of forgiving fetal kidney mobile ph anes, fetuses in uteri were used to develop techniques like amniocenteses and improving experience round congenital heart disease in the 1970s, and in the 1980s the transplantation of fetal tissue into adults to help with serious conditions like, diabetes or Parkinsons (Gold, 2004). While there has always been concern and controversy over the use of human embryonal cells, today the debate is honourable.This ethical debate lies within the close of human embryos in order to use them for medical research. This wallpaper will talk about how two different theories functionalism and relativism encounter this ethical issue and the problem it presents, as well as my some trunkal views on use of embryonal group cell research. The theory of utilitarianism determines what is best by looking at the results of an act. According to Mosser (2010, section 1. 7), utilitarianism argues that, given a squ are up of choices, the act we should choose is that which produces the best results for the greatest number affected by that choice.When looking at the use of embryonic origin cells for research, utilitarianism looks at the leftover result. Embryonic chaff cells get d proclaim the potential to save lives by hardening diseases and through the use of transplantation. While some utilitarianisms may quench view the destruction of these cells as the destruction of human liveliness they make do that their potential is a far better choice, being that this research merchantman potentially help save m every(prenominal) lives. The opposition to embryonic motif cell research may take a shit a relativists view.Although unrivalled person may see embryonic pedestal cell research as right, a nonher may see it as wrong based on their own ethical stand ards that have been provided by their culture or scope (Mosser, 2010). The opposition of embryonic stem cell research view the embryo as a person from the day it is conceived, although it does not have all characteristics of a person, it will nonpareil day make a person. The approximation of destroying human life has raised some(prenominal) important questions that cannot be answered by science. When does life begin? Is a human embryo equivalent to a human child?Does a human embryo have any rights? Might the destruction of a single embryo be confirm if it provides a cure for countless number of patients? Since ES cells can cause indefinitely in a dish can, in theory, still fire into a human being, is the embryo really destroyed. (The University of Utah, 2012, para. 5) So what moral side does the human embryo have? To the relativist opposition, the question can only be answered by their personal moral views. To better understand the debate about embryonic stem cell research one must first understand the importance of embryonic stem cell research.Embryonic stem cells are pluripotent cells that are derived from the inner cell mass of the human blastodermic vessicle (early embryo) (Hynes, 2008). Many wonder why the use of these cells is so important in scientific breakthroughs. Embryonic stem cells are capable of differentiating into all types of cells in the body. This allows researchers to use ES cells to create any type of cell needed for any patient. Many ask why the use of adult stem cells is not untroubled enough. Adult stem cells are undifferentiated cells demonstrate within the body.These cells only have the ability to divide or self-renew indefinitely and generate all the cell types of the organ from which they originate (Science, 2012, para. 1). Adult stem cell research is not controversial, as it does not require the destruction of human life to acquire them. While adult stem cells have been used to successfully treat subjects like leuke mia and related bone/ short letter cancers, embryonic stem cells offer a wider variety of treatment options because they have the ability to develop into to a greater extent than 200 cell types in the body as long as they are specified to do so (Science, 2012).Both sides of this debate may be influenced by religion. There are some religions that regard a human embryo as having human status from the time of conception while others say that an embryo does not have full human status before 40 geezerhood (EuroStemCell, 2011). The Roman Catholic, Orthodox, and conservative Protestant Churches are against human embryonic stem cell research, where Judaism and Islam look at and emphasize the importance of the outcome that embryonic stem cell research can bring (EuroStemCell, 2011).As with any debate those who have the same theory may still confide differently based upon their culture, upbringing, and religious background. I find that one could be of a certain religion (Catholic) and still view embryonic stem cell research as a better solution than adept discarding unused embryos. The Catholic utilitarian may argue that the it is better to habituate the embryonic stem cells from an infertility clinic for research to potentially save many lives than to discard the cells as if they were.On the other hand the Catholic relativist/utilitarian might argue that this goes against their religious beliefs and is not what is best for the common good. As one can see in this example a person may exercise more than one theory in their lives. angiotensin-converting enzyme may have been raised to view embryonic stem cell research, as wrong because it destroys human life, but they may also view it is a way to help the common good. This is when these types of determinations, to be for or against something, become a personal struggle. Does one go against what they were raised and taught to believe or do they do what they think is right for the common good of fiat?Mosser (2010, Sec tion 1. 7) states that, utilitarianism gives us what seems to be a clear and fairly lucky principle to apply to ethical problems and so determine the right thing to do in specific cases. This may be the case when it comes to uncomplicated decisions that are easy to explain and justify, but when it comes to a moral decision between right and wrong utilitarianism can merely guide us and help clarify these ethical problems (Mosser, 2010). Unfortunately this is why there is much(prenominal) a heated debate with embryonic stem cell research. What one sees as morally right another(prenominal) sees as morally wrong?The reasons may be different, but the end result may be the same. In this case one believes the act of using human embryos for research will help the common good where the other side believes not using human embryos for research will help the common good in value of morals and what status they view the human embryo. Relativism allows one the opportunity to go along with what their culture believes is right or wrong. It keeps one safe, as many people are afraid to express their own opinions and views against anothers views (Mosser, 2010).As with any ethical issue, this theory allows those who do not write out enough about it to stay safe and build their views and opinions based on those around them. This allows one to judge another based on a view that has been acquired by commonality rather than facts. This can go both(prenominal) ways with embryonic stem cell research. Although the relativist view can be regarded as the popular view it can be very puissant if one bases their view on facts and knowledge and not just the ethnical view. While their will always be disagreements about the use of embryonic stem cell research I find that their use if more beneficial than it is destructive.While everyone is entitled to their own beliefs, is it selfish to oppose the use of embryonic cells, which will be discarded anyway, because it is seen as the destructio n of life? I think so. If there is a way to help another in the future through the use of embryonic stem cells, why not? I find myself in agreement with the utilitarianism theory on this matter. It is important for researchers to continue their research to help the common good. The research and researchers must have limitations though.