One man's bread is another man's poison, and so it the case with the issues surrounding embryonic stem cell research. The debate of the ethical nature of this research is one of the most popular and heated topics of today. The possibility of life in an embryo on the one hand and the possibilities of hope for the sick on the other are issues that cannot be taken lightly and each have their benefits. What then is the definition of ethics in such a case?

Embryonic stem cells are embryos that are cultured in a laboratory through the process of in-vitro fertilization and are later developed into the necessary tissue / organ /organism by way of definite selection. A process of somatic stem cell culture of cells transferred into the embryo of a particular sheep gave rise to the very famous Dolly in 1997. It was in other words, a Clone.

One of the most significant breakthroughs in bio-medicine has been the discovery and culture of human embryonic stem cells. It has also led to the discovery that many diseases could possibly be cured by the transplant of the generated cells to replace damaged tissue, induce dopamine-rich neuron cell growth in cases like Parkinson's Disease and to also aid in re-growth of lost cartilage and tissue as in Arthritis.

There are however two aspects of such an embryonic stem cell culture. A) cells may be developed for research and disease treatment and B) a child may be produced.

The irony of such discovery and bio-medical development has brought all, i.e., scientists, government and civilians to a crossroads; the ethics of human embryonic stem cells. In light of this, there are a few questions that were of prime importance and which are still being addressed.

1. Ethically, what in principle is the issue with destructive embryonic research?

2. What is it that the value of the human embryo exists in?

3. Does the way the embryo dies, is destroyed or succumbs to make a moral difference?

4. Where would we draw the line between cell research and human cloning?

5. Should the life of a developed living embryo be compromised to let a fully developed human being live?

6. What is the difference between a living cultured embryonic stem cell through the process of in-vitro fertilization for the purpose of research and a living embryo developed through the same process for childless parents?

Such are the questions that are raised by pro-life activists and speculators the world over. The proposed destructive embryonic stem cell culture presents us with

• 1
• 2
• next page >>

---

Add your voice

Know something about A review of embryonic stem cell research ethics?
We want to hear your view. Write now!