Stem Cell Research on Aborted Babies: Is It Ethical?
Human embryonic stem cells are cells that can become any type of cell or tissue, contrary to the non-embryonic stem cells that are found in human adults, embryonic stem cells are found in babies and can be obtained through abortion, miscarriage or in the case of a stillborn. Both types of cells are used in research that is used to help to discover and develop vaccines and treatments for diseases such as diabetes and spinal cord injury. The argument has two sides, it either is not ethical or is. Side one, being unethical, is backed and argued by those who believe that the fetus has moral values just like the rest of us and ignores the good that could come of it. Side two, being ethical, is backed and argued by those who believe that an aborted embryo is just a clump of cells and that it should not be wasted. Although stem cell research on aborted babies may seem unethical, the possible scientific advancements are sometimes ignored.
Let us begin with side one, unethical. According to the fact that
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From this position the argument is that stem cell research is morally permissible. “Our arguments are intended to apply only to embryos—not fetuses or fetal tissue—and we assume that an embryo becomes a fetus eight weeks after fertilization (Douglas)” They argue against side one by saying that this is not yet a fetus, which side one believes has moral value. They argue with the possibilities therapies that lengthen lives, and the alleviation of suffering and how those things can save lives in a sense, which is ethical, right? So, they wonder why the research to make it happen is unethical. It all comes back to the fact that those who argue it unethical only believe that because abortion, which they consider to be murder, is involved they assume that stem cell research is also murder, therefore deeming it unethical. “Opponents of hESC often cite the rights of the embryo and define the embryo