Ethics and Medicine

         One major argument in the medical world right now where ethics and medicine conflict is the debate on stem cell research and use.  Many people believe stem cells should be heavily researched and used to their full potential.  Stem cells are simply cells in an embryo that are undeveloped.  Since these cells are undeveloped, they have the ability to grow into the same type of cell they are surrounded by.  People believe that using these cells could be a major break through on many diseases and even cancer.  On the other hand, many people also believe stem cell research and use should be completely outlawed due to the fact that stem cells come from embryos.  Embryos are small and undeveloped bodies.  People who are against stem cell research and use consider the small, undeveloped, bodies to be human beings.  This is where the problem lies.  I know about this conflict because it has been all over the news for many years now.  The debate on whether to allow stem cell research and use has been going on for a very long time.  I thin both sides to this argument are represented well.  Each side has several good arguments, and each side’s arguments have been heard many times.

            Many of the arguments against stem cell research can be found at http://www.pregnantpause.org/ethics/whystem.htm.  However, this website seems to focus on one major fact that lead people to believe stem cell research is terrible.  It says that stem cells are extracted from embryos, which are human beings.  In order for the cells to be extracted, the embryo must be dead.  So, what they are saying is the argument is actually about whether or not it is right to kill a human being for medical research. 

            Many of the opposing arguments, which say stem cell research should be legal, can be found at http://www.buzzle.com/articles/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-stem-cell-research.html. This website has many arguments for why stem cells should be researched.  It says that the cells can be used to cure many diseases including Parkinson’s, schizophrenia, and even cancer.  On top of that, it says that it can help scientists learn about things like human growth and cell development.  The website arguing for the use of stem cells has a much more compelling argument simply because there are so many.  However, the debate is still ongoing, and could be for a very long time.