Legal Precedents Related To Stem Cell Research

Stem Cell Research
Name
Institutional Affiliation
Stem Cell Research
Introduction
Stem cells are unspecialized cells sourced from different sources such as embryos, bone marrow, umbilical cord blood, as well as several other embryonic tissues. Each stem cell illustrates the capacity to renew itself. These cells undergo differentiation to become specialized cells, for instance, those creating muscle cells, blood and brain cells. Under proper conditions, stem cell research involves focusing stem cells to create the highly specialized cells for body tissues and organs. Therefore, stem cells are best to utilize in drug developments plus a hypothetically valuable basis for replacement cells for an array of diseases, such as diabetes, Alzheimer’s and several others (NIH, 2015).
Scientists conduct study on stem cells because human bodies utilize tissue stem cells as a replacement for worn out or damaged tissues. This repair technique is so effective that it happens daily; nonetheless, where the damage is widespread, this repair operation may fail (Barfoot et al, n.d). In addition, not all cells in the body, for instance, brain cells, can repair themselves successfully, and most degenerative conditions are still not treatable through modern medicine. Organ transplant such as heart is an option, however it depends on several sources of transplant organs, most of which are in little quantity. Over the past years, research on stem cell has attained more attention due to its capability to bridge the gap in human medical therapies for conditions such heart disease, cancer, diabetes and others (Barfoot et al, n.d). The different kinds of stem cells that scientists use include induced pluripotent stem cells and tissue stem cells. This paper explores the legal precedents and various ethical viewpoints related to stem cell research and broadly discusses why even though it is useful why it is not ethical.
Legal precedents related to stem cell research
The law plays a crucial role in handling social and legal issues brought by stem cell research. Questions arise on this topic such as whether the research should be completely banned, permit it or try to control it. Moreover, there is the question of what might occur globally when various nations, cultures or individual have different viewpoints towards the controversial topic of stem cell research. In this topic, both the national and international the law serves different roles that help direct the society for the positive outcome. Scientists who want to conduct stem cell research, such as embryo research, have to make applications to relevant authorities. Barfoot et al, (n.d) assert that in some countries such as the United Kingdom; allow embryos to be utilized scientific study of human diseases and fertility treatment. However, no embryo may be stored or used after 2 weeks of its growth. However, it is possible to obtain permission to make embryos exclusively for the need for medical research such as to create embryonic stem cell lines. Therefore, the UK established a balanced attitude that entails a framework that safeguards the embryo as a mortal organism while allowing research under firm controls.
On the other hand, in some countries money is what determines the regulations. Again, varying attitudes held by various people across the globe towards the embryo determine stem cell research regulations. Wills (2001) states that the US government funds embryonic stem cell study and the federal government has not fully banned this research where a private researcher can pay the state to conduct a research. In countries such as Iceland and Argentina, stem cell research has no regulation. In nations such as Germany and Austria, they hold a robust view that embryos should be considered as a full-grown human (Barfoot et al, n.d). These countries treat a human embryo with full rights plus protections, unlike the UK and Denmark, where the embryo does not enjoy full rights and protections as an average human. In countries where stem cell research is permitted, programs are laid out to assist in obtaining materials. For instance, the UK Stem Cell Bank is a resource used as a storage for quality research materials as well as aid in minimizing the number of human embryos created or destroyed during studies (Barfoot et al, n.d). Another legal precedent is the effort to reach for international agreement with the United Nations for stem cell research, which is still yet to be reached. The lack of international law towards this topic is accrued to different nations having differing standpoints and attitudes towards embryonic stem cell research.
Various ethical viewpoints related to stem cell research
Stem cell research has drawn different ethical viewpoints making the topic complex and controversial. Some people doubt the medical importance of stem cell research while others consider the moral status of not killing a human embryo to supply stem cells for repair therapy. The first ethical viewpoint point is that there is no moral status. This standpoint emphasizes on the scientific view at the embryo in relation of its composition, characteristics and functions. It depicts that at the blastocyst phase, the embryo is devoid of bodily properties whereby it is not conscious, feels nothing, and may not live outside the womb (Barfoot et al, n.d). Moreover, the mother is not aware that she is pregnant and it is also hard to determine whether the embryo is twin babies. This stage is considered not to have a moral status, and thus not a human being. Those of this ethical view claim that medical research may use an embryo at the blastocyst stage because it is desirable and permissible. Also, others consider an early embryo is an ethical duty of humanity to help discover treatments for otherwise incurable and critical suffering.
The second ethical viewpoint is that the human embryo holds similar standing as a baby. From this standpoint, the human embryos should not be treated based on the level of development (Barfoot et al, n.d). Therefore, after the completion of fertilization, the embryo should be seen in the lens of the human it will become. In this school of thought, the embryo is considered as a vulnerable part of the community that should be protected as a human life. Therefore, according to this viewpoint, no study should be permitted, unless it is for the benefit of the specific human embryo. In addition, those with this ethical viewpoint advocate for placental cord blood and adult tissue stem cells, other than destroying or creating an embryo for research. Individuals with this argument, claim that there is no reason to terminate a life, in order to save another and nurses and doctor...