As a result of the restrictions placed on scientists who are funded by the government, stem cell research is depending more on corporate funding as opposed to government subsidizing. In fact, the majority of stem cell research is performed in corporate hands (Torr 135). Consequently, privately funded companies will control the direction of future research (McCabe 8). Two decades ago, the United States government would not contribute federal funds into in vitro fertilization. As a result, the industry would fill the vacuum left by federal paralysis. If this federal paralysis continues, many US scientists are concerned that other countries will be further along in research because of no restrictions (8). Will the United States of America, a technologically advanced superpower, be willing to give up its reign in superiority in the medical field to its counterparts who enjoy the absence of restrictions? Since medical discoveries mean big money for businesses, why stop the inevitable? Would one trust the government or businesses that have a mindset of money before everything else?
With regard, to the Catholic, evangelical, and Islamic theorists, the question of the beginning of life never fails to present itself. Theorists once believed that life begins at the moment the moment the sperm meets the egg and the single cell deserves sacred rights (Torr 138). However, technically, they are wrong. The DNA sets from the egg and the sperm do not immediately merge (Southwick A38). Clearly, the theorists have a lot to learn. Moreover, the well-known abortion trial, Roe vs. Wade, declared that the rights of life are in view when the fetus is capable of existing outside the mother (Torr 138). Therefore, under the law, taking stem cells from embryos is not murder and is completely legal. Embryonic stem cells are in the earliest stages of a pregnancy, more specifically, four days after fertilization (Dyer 14). In addition, it has been clinically proven that fetuses this early in the pregnancy do not gain consciousness until several weeks later (Torr 137). As illustrated above, “fuzzy” guidelines foreshadow the era of biotechnology and it is coming, ready or not.
Although many new alternatives and more accepted forms of stem-cell research are surfacing, extracting stem cells from embryos is the most effective and promising method. Adult stem cells could be used, but its potential to become any cell in the body is limited (Dyer 14). For example, skin cells replenish and repair cells found only in the skin (14). These cells can be found in the skin, brain, and bone marrow (14). On the other hand, embryonic stem cells are called pluripotent, meaning they can multiply without limit and have the potential to become any cell in the body (14). Advanced Cell Technology (ACT) in Worchester, Massachusetts, is most likely mentioned when the debate of stem cells arises. Using eggs from a monkey, the team cloned stem cells by injecting genetic material into the eggs and triggered their development with a set of chemicals to match the composition of sperm (Spotts 2). However, these cells lack the full complement of genes that results from the normal union of egg and sperm (2). It is also unclear whether these cells would form tissue and function as well as normal tissue (2). Furthermore, parthenogenetically activated eggs could not under any circumstances produce a viable pregnancy (Lauritzen 2). Clearly, any new alternatives now are preliminary and unreliable.
Harold Varmus, head of the National Institute of Health, predicts that stem cell research “has the potential to revolutionize the practice of medicine” (Torr 134). Since stem cells begin as a clump of undifferentiated cells and subdivides into any cell in the body, physicians could replicate any organ of the body (134). If researchers can convert stem cells into regular cells, then physicians can cure Parkinson’s, diabetes, leukemia, heart congestion, and so many more diseases (134). The most complex problem associated with organ transplants is rejection by the body. With the advent of stem cell based universal donors, bone marrow transplants and all other transplants become not only cheaper and easier, but also simpler by not provoking the immune rejection response (134). Mastery of stem cells will lead to practical and affordable ways to eliminate genetic diseases through DNA engineering (134).
Eventually, lawmakers on Capitol Hill will realize stem cell research is inevitable and decide to assist and guide the scientists to use it in an acceptable form or manner. The creation of materials with capacity to become human life is a process that requires moral guidance and humility, and society must seek to achieve the most good or benefit with the least harm and destruction of things of value. In addition, the complexity of the tradeoffs involved when research is being conducted at the boundaries of human life requires accountability and publicity. Michael J. Fox once said, “The war against Parkinson’s is a winnable war, and I have resolved to play a role in the victory” (McCabe 8). Therefore, the United States Congress should consider a bill that would outlaw the procedure for human cloning, but permit research on stem cells. In that bill, all the embryos frozen in government storage sites should be released, but severe punishments are to be prescribed if it is used to clone a whole entire human being. Although many believe stem cell research eventually leads to playing G-d, the intelligent use of this technologically advancement will greatly benefit society as a whole.
Works Consulted
“A Ready Made Controversy.” Scientific American February 2002: 10.
Carey, John and Ellen Licking. “The Stem-Cell Debate Just got Thornier.” Business Week 11 February 2002: 58.
D’Agnese, Joseph. “The Debate Over: Stem Cells Gets Hot.” Discover January 2002: 56.
Dyer, Nicole. “Stem Cells: The Next Cure?” Science World 12 November 2001: 14.
Lauritzen, Paul. “Broadening the Debate on Cloning and Stem Cell Research.” America February 2002: 22.
McCabe, Susanne. “Medical Miracle-Moral Dilemma.” Junior Scholastic October 2001: 8.
Southwick, Ron. “Scientists Urge Bush Administration to Move Forward on Stem-Cell Research.” Chronicle of Higher Education 9 November 2001: A26.
Spotts, Peter N. “Embryo cloning: Key to stem-cell research?” Christian Science Monitor February 2002: 2.
Torr, James D., ed. Medical Ethics. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, Inc., 2000.