Stem Cells are pluripotent cells that have potential to become other cells and have no set function. This means that it can become any part of the human body. For example, it can become cartilage, bone or muscle cells. However, there are two types of stem cells: embryonic stem cells and adult stem cells. Even though this type of cell has the potential to become a very effective cure for previously incurable diseases, it brings along a highly controversial ethical issue. In order to obtain embryonic stem cells, scientists have to destroy human embryos, which is in fact an early form of human life. Some say that embryonic stem cell research should continue, since it has a bright future for all of mankind. Others however, say that stem cells are in fact and early form of human life and thus should not be killed. If they are killed, they believe that it should be considered murder. Recently, two separate groups of scientists from Japan and Wisconsin have found a way to turn stem cells into pluripotent cells, which is very similar to embryonic stem cells. With this new and rather useful alternative, is it possible to remove the ethical and moral issues surrounding stem cell research? Stem cell research in the end is resting on a very thin line: is it just for scientists to use and sacrifice stem cells for the good of mankind, or is it downright not fair for this early form of human life? That is for you to decide…
Figure 2: Pluripotent Stem Cells
Source: http://www.csa.com/discoveryguides/stemcell/images/pluri.jpg
Figure 1: A Human Embryo (6 weeks old)
Source: http://image.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Science/pix/2007/08/01/embryoblue_2.jpg