If stem cell research must rely only on derivation of tissue from a Term Paper - 1

If stem cell research must rely only on derivation of tissue from a vibrant fetus, is harvesting those cells in any way immoral, illegal or unethical - Term Paper Example It is impossible to reconcile these positions due to distinctly opposing views inherent in medical science versus varying views and interpretations of ethics and morality. A typical day-5 human embryo consists of 200-250 cells, most of which comprise the trophoblast, which is the outermost layer of the blastocyst. HESCs are harvested from the inner cell mass of the blastocyst, which consists of 30-34 cells. The derivation of HESC cultures requires the removal of the trophoblast. This process of disaggregating the blastocysts cells eliminates its potential for further development. Opponents of HESC research argue that the research is morally impermissible because it involves the unjust killing of innocent human beings. (Siegel par. 2). Moral and ethical debates have raged since the idea of stem cell research first crossed scientists’ minds. One simplistic argument against opposition to the research centers upon abortion fetuses from which many of the cells are gathered. The moral rational is that in the event of an abortion at least some good for the whole of humanity can come of it. Reading into this position, one can make a case that the apologist him or herself is admitting abortion is unethical, highlighting the complexity of the argument. Besides, they might say, research cannot be done on adult stem cells because they don’t share the same aspects as those from an embryo. The good of the research outweighs the bad of the methods. The end justifies the means, since embryonic stem cell research can help find cures for, or prevent diseases including Cancer and Parkinson’s but also Alzheimer’s, Heart disease, Stroke, Diabetes, birth defects, spinal cord injuries, organ damage and trans plant rejection. Medical researchers insist embryonic stem cells are needed because they alone are able to reproduce any other