Stem cell research
...in-vitro fertilization procedures. During these procedures an average of 24 ova are usually removed from the woman patient (Robinson). The ova are then fertilized with her husband’s sperm but as few as two of the now fertilized embryos are selected and placed back into the wife’s womb (Robinson). The fertilized egg is now expected to develop into a pregnancy that will continue to term and birth offspring (Robinson). But what happens to the 20+ surplus embryos that were not reintroduced into the woman’s womb? Most clinics often dispose of the excess embryos by simply flushing them down the nearest sink drain, or using the excess embryos for training of doctors that are new to the process (Robinson). However, some clinics choose to freeze the surplus embryos in liquid nitrogen for future use, in case the first attempt of fertilization did not succeed. Freezing the embryos does offer the most logical way of storing them, but due to the harsh elements of being frozen with liquid nitrogen as many as (25%) of frozen embryos are not able to persevere the extremities of the freezing procedure (Robinson). The majority of those that oppose using stem cells from surplus embryos consists of pro-life organizations. These pro-lifers argue that by extracting stem cells from human embryos, which does destroy the embryo, it is considered killing a human being because that embryo consists of the same cells that any human being was once in the form of (Robinson). But isn’t discarding unused in-vitro embryos into the clinic room biohazard waste basket killing them as well? Either way the embryo or human life, which ever you prefer to address it as, is being destroyed. Thus, it would make sense to destroy the embryo in the most beneficial way possible; which would be by allowing the extraction of there stem cells to help cure already fully developed humans who have acquired life threatening illnesses. When it comes down to it, what woman would want all twenty four of her ova to be extracted, fertilized, and implanted back into her to produce 24 more mouths to feed? Though impossible, that is basically the sate of mind the opposed side of stem cell research views the way embryos should be taken care of. Saving the life of a living breathing human who has a family and kids should certainly out weigh the decision of saving a bundle of cells in the form of an embryo. Currently stem cell technology could help save the lives of about 4.5 million Americans who have Alzheimer’s disease (Alzheimer’s disease fact sheet), over 500,000 Americans who have contracted Parkinson’s disease (Depression and Parkinson’s disease), and also the lives of the more than 82,000 patients on organ transplantation lists (Organ Donation and Transplantation). Embryos are just a cluster of cells. In there embryonic state they don’t have a spouse and children, or a fortune 500 career, but humans do. The responsibilities the average human carries out are a necessity to life and help contribute to the functioning of the rest of the world. These responsibilities would be impossible for a microscopic cluster of cells to achieve. The crisis of people in life threatening situations is tremendous, as well as on the rise. Sacrificing basic forms of life seems plenty reasonable if it is in the name of saving developed breathing human lives that actually contain a heartbeat. As well as being able to form into other types of body cells, stem cells can also be used to grow into a variety of tissues which could aid in growing or patching damaged human organs (Weiss). By being able to reproduce organs, more than 82,000 people in need of organ transplants would be able to receive their transplants sooner (Organ Donation and Transplantation). Each day sixteen patients, who are a part of the national organ transplantation list, die due to a serious condition of one or occasionally more than one of their organs failing or being injured (Organ Donation and Transplantation). Patients waiting for a new organ because they possess a rare blood type would no longer face the risk of dying from their illness. The benefits of stem cell research could make treatment available sooner. With stem cells ability to transform into virtually any type of cell, the knowledge gained from stem cell research could be used to create the kind of cells necessary for individual patients who retain rare blood types or rare diseases. It’s obvious to see how the number of organ transplant related deaths would decrease (Robinson). With some patients it may be the case that the damaged liver a patient is in need of replacing might not have to have his/her liver replaced at all. Their damaged liver could be brought back to a normal functioning state by simply repairing it. With the use of stem cells repairing a damaged organ could be possible and the need of transplantations could possibly become obsolete, or at least decrease considerably. While on the issue of identifying the pros of stem cell research; foreign researchers are currently in the midst of developing a treatment to remedy diabetes. Researchers at Toronto University in Canada have also conducted there own research of finding a cure for diabetes through stem cells (Pancreas stem cells for Diabetes). Their studies have also shown proof that stem cells could possibly render a cure for diabetes in the future (Pancreas stem cells for Diabetes). Stem cells offer the pote...