Arguments Against Stem Cell Research

          There just as many people against stem cells research as there are for it. These people range from politicians, especially right wing politicians, to scientists, to religious people. Wikipedia (2008) says that one of these people’s biggest arguments against stem cells is the value of life. This argument in the highly controversial stem cell debate is based on the belief that an embryo is actually human, and that it should be treated just like human life, and this happens as soon as an egg is fertilized.

          Another argument is that there are better alternatives to embryonic stem cells (Wikipedia, 2008). Embryonic stem cells should be abandoned in favor of alternatives like adult stem cells, and pro-life supporters say that the use of adult stem cells from sources such as umbilical cord blood has consistently produced more promising results than the use of embryonic stem cells. (Wikipedia, 2008) This argument directly contradicts the pro-embryonic stem cell argument about how embryonic stem cells are superior to adult stem cells. Adult stem cell research will prosper if they get the money currently going to embryonic stem cells, the pro-life supporters point out.

          The final argument for the people against embryonic stem cells research is the scientific flaws that could be involved with the use of embryonic stem cells in therapies. According to Wikipedia (2008), one concern with embryonic stem cell treatments is that sometimes stem cells from embryos can create tumors. The bottom line of this argument is that stem cells may not be as good as some scientists say they are. The main issue of this raging debate is whether potential embryonic life should be treated the same way as you or me.