Cell Structure and Function

Chapter 4 Cell Structure and Function

Human embryonic stem-cell research is the practice of “harvesting” cells from a fertilized or cloned human embryo. If something reproduces if it reacts to stimuli, if it is not dead, it is said to be alive. Human embryonic stem cells do each of those things; therefore they are alive. Harvesting the stem cells destroys any opportunity for that embryo to develop and be born (thetrumpet.com (30 May 2011) The Plain Truth about Human Embryo Stem Cell Research). At the least, embryonic stem-cells are human tissue.

Life is a pretty simple thing to define. It is the opposite of death. Life can be defined as the property or quality that distinguishes living organisms from dead organisms and inanimate matter, manifested in functions such as metabolism, growth, reproduction, and response to stimuli or adaptation to the environment originating from within the organism (American Heritage Dictionary).

I believe that human embryos should be used for stem cell research to a certain extent. I do not believe that an embryo should be wasted on the same token I do not believe that an embryo should be aborted for the purpose of stem cell research. If stem cell research can be done on an un-aborted embryo and can possibly lead to life saving medical treatments and research that will prevent people from further suffering and dying I am all for it. I have seen too many of my family members suffer from Cancer, Diabetes, Psoriasis, Aneurysms, High Blood Pressure, etc... Now they have passed on, who knows if they could have benefited from stem cell research? Maybe with the research that is going on now others won’t have to suffer or die.

References

Mader, S. S. (2010) Biology 10th edition. New York, NY: McGraw Hill. Pages 105

thetrumpet.com (30 May 2011) The Plain Truth about Human Embryo Stem Cell Research

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The American Heritage Dictionary of English Language, 4th...