Essay Sample: Ethical Views on Regenerative Medicine
Scientific research has been around for centuries and can even be dated back to Ancient Egypt around 2000 BCE. Improving the quality of life is built into human nature. Arguably, humans naturally want what is best for themselves and for those to come. Medical advancements have been vital to the human race. Some of these advancements include automated external defibrillators (AED), vaccines, organ transplants, antibiotics, and anesthesia. Even these broad discoveries can be broken down into more specific and extraordinary advancements. In the United States, our current hospitals are equipt with almost any resource necessary to treat a patient. The extent of our current knowledge and resources have left medical scientists with a question: “How far can we go with scientific discoveries?” and “How far is too far?” Embryonic stem cell research is a controversial topic leaving many wondering if the good outweighs the bad. Utilitarianism, an ethical-moral theory, can be used to analyze whether or not embryonic stem cell research is ethical and if it should be continued.
Before diving into an analysis, it is crucial to explain the details of embryonic stem cell research. Back in 1998, scientists discovered a method to extract human stem cells from embryos to grow in a lab (“Answers to” n.pag.). This began a new era of research that could have very promising results and revolutionary advancements for the medical community. Stem cells are of particular interest over any other cell type because of their ability to become either daughter cells or specialized cells such as blood cells, brain cells, heart muscle cells, or bone cells (“Answers to” n.pag.). Stem cells are the only cells with this capability. The embryonic stem cells have the potential to differentiate into any cell type; whereas, adult stem cells, derived from bone marrow, can only transform into blood cells or heart muscle cells. Doctors use stem cell therapy (regenerative medicine) to replace cells in patients with cancer or certain diseases (“Answers to” n.pag.). Once placed in the body, the stem cells will differentiate into the cell type that researchers programmed them to be, and will develop into healthy cells. This type of regenerative medicine is commonly used; however, more complex research involves developing stem cells into entire organs. The goal is to synthesize organs for organ transplantation which would significantly help the organ shortage. Overall, stem cell research is the development of new cells from stell cells that were extracted from human embryos; the fact that stem cells come from embryos has led some people to question whether or not stem cells should be used.
Furthermore, analyzing this controversial topic by using utilitarianism will lead us to the conclusion that embryonic stem cell research should be allowed to continue its medical practice and research. Utilitarianism is a branch of consequentialism that revolves around creating the most happiness for the greatest number of people. More specifically, the greatest happiness principle considers an act moral if it brings happiness or pleasure; conversely, an act is immoral if it does not promote happiness and brings pain. When evaluating decisions, we must choose the route that will produce the best outcome. John Stuart Mill, a utilitarian, believes happiness is pleasure and freedom from pain, and unhappiness is pain and the absence of pleasure (Shafer-Landau pp.147) Embryonic stem cells would not only benefit the present but the future generations too. In the United States, cancer is the second leading cause of death, and 600,000 people die from it each year; on average, 1.6 million people are diagnosed with cancer each year (Bernard and Parham n.pag.). However, the opposing side will argue the destroyed embryos were possible human lives that did not get a chance to develop. In the United States, there are currently 400,000 embryos available for any type of research. Out of these 400,000, 88.2% of them will directly be for patient use, and 2.8% (11,000) will be used for embryonic stem cell research. This statistic alone proves the good outweighs the bad; the greatest number of people benefitting from embryonic stem cells are those who are currently ill or will be.
Even though the research appears to be promising, some factors have led people to oppose this concept. The moral analysis compares the potential benefit to human risk. First, there are many risks to the patients that undergo this treatment: tumor formation, inappropriate stem cell migration, and immune rejection of transplanted stem (Master et. al. n.pag.). Since stem cells have the potential to transform into any cell type, this means there is a possibility that a mutation could occur and would lead to severe complications if not treated accordingly. Second, in order to use embryonic stem cells, they must be created which means the destruction of the embryo itself. The embryonic stem cells are created at an in vitro fertilization clinic where they are fertilized and harvested 4 to 5 days after fertilization. At this point, the cell mass is known as a blastocyte, “a thin-walled hollow structure from which the embryo arises,” and will then be grown in a Petri dish (“Stem Cell” n.pag.). The fact an embryo is essentially “killed” raises concern to some people; the US is currently trying to define when exactly human life begins. In fact, many religions take the position “human life begins at conception . . . and the embryo holds the same moral status as an adult or live-born child.” (Lo and Parham n.pag.). Some believe that moral worth comes at a later stage in development, and some believe that it holds no moral worth; it is simply a clump of cells. The use of stem cells imposes a great health risk for those donating the gametes, those receiving the cells, and the embryos that do not get to develop.
The potential stem cells have in regenerative medicine is extraordinary. It would offer new possibilities to cure diseases that currently are incurable, and it would offer hope to patients that would otherwise have no other treatment options. For example, a study was conducted in 2007 to find a cure for Parkinson’s disease by neuro transplanting stem cells (Master et.al. n.pag.). Parkinson’s is a progressive nervous system disorder that destroys healthy tissue in the brain; brain cells do not have the capability to regenerate like blood and skin cells are able to do. More than 10 million people worldwide are living with Parkinson’s, and it is estimated that 4% of people are diagnosed before the age of fifty. (Master et. al. n.pag.). Stem cells can also be used to help fight cancer and help those patients recover from radiation and chemotherapy. Cancer is an aggressive disease that comes in many different forms and variations. There are two types of stem cell transplants for cancer patients: direct and indirect (“Answers to” n.pag.). In multiple myeloma and some forms of leukemia, stem cells can directly attack cancer cells and help the treatment. Most of the time, the stem cells are used to regenerate the missing and damaged cells and tissue after high doses of radiation, chemotherapy, or both; this helps the patient recover. Last, if researchers are able to create viable organs in a lab, this would significantly contribute to the organ shortage for transplants. There are more than 100,000 people currently waiting for an organ transplant in the US (Master et. al. n.pag.). An unfortunate amount of these patients will die before they are able to receive an organ. These three things are a few of many that can benefit from the use of embryonic stem cells. Not only would countless lives be saved, but it would also improve the quality of life for those who otherwise would have no other option.
In conclusion, the utilitarian moral theory can be used to conclude that embryonic stem cell research is ethical and that it should continue to move forward. People who oppose stem cells argue that human harm is more important than the benefit of the cells. When the embryos are removed for research, they are 4-5 days old and have not developed into an embryo that is capable of turning into a fetus (“Answers to” n.pag.). Also, the eggs and sperm are donated to the in vitro fertilization clinics for this specific research; the male and female donors have both consented to the research that will be done. The numerous benefits of embryonic stem cells would save the lives of millions of people currently and countless lives to come. As research continues, researchers are able to perfect the technique which will eliminate the risks and errors associated with the stem cells. Overall, embryonic stem cells have the capability to differentiate into any cell type which has the potential to save lives in numerous ways. As of now, these cells are regenerating old cells and individual organs. In the future, what will scientific researchers be able to create with these cells, and at what point do we draw the line?
