Advantages and Disadvantages Of Stem Cells Research
The concept of stem cells research is both beneficial and controversial. On one hand, it promises to be a boon of medical science and claims to cure the diseases that seemed incurable a few years ago. On the other hand, its practice has raised many ethical concerns. As, it is a very prominent topic and has created a stir among people all over the world, you need to have a fair amount of knowledge on this topic.
Advantages:
It is an unarguable fact that stem cells research has revolutionized the medicinal field. And this is the reason why scientists all over the globe, swear by the potency of stem cells research. It offers many medical benefits in areas of therapeutic cloning and regenerative medicine.
A few years ago, just hearing the names of dreaded diseases such as cancer, Parkinson disease and Alzheimer disease would have scared the hell out of you. Now, with stem cells research, it has become possible to discover cures and treatments for these and many dreadful diseases.
Stem cells research facilitated the essential study in developmental stages of a human embryo, which was earlier an impossible prospect. Due to this, doctors can now treat major clinical consequences such as pregnancy loss, birth defects and infertility. A more detailed study and understanding of the human growth and cell development will eventually enable the treat abnormalities in newborns.
Stem cells research has brought a new ray of hope for millions of handicap people all over the world. With stem cells research, doctors can grow limbs and organs in a lab and then use it for transplants.
A major benefit of stem cells research is it involves the use of your own cells for treating them. This not only reduces the risk of any side effects but also increases the possibility of cure.
Disadvantages:
Just as the two sides of a coin, stem cells research has its flip side too. Some arguments in opposition to stem cells research are:
Use of embryonic stem cells for research purpose involves total destruction of blastocysts that are formed from lab-fertilized human eggs. For people who believe that life begins at the conception stage, the blastocyst is a human life and so its destruction is unacceptable and unethical.
Embryonic stem cells have another disadvantage. Since they are derived from embryos, which are not your own, your body may reject them.
Fetal stem cells require destruction of fetus that may be weeks old.
Stem cells research holds the key to reversing the effects of aging and thereby, prolonging human lives. Stem cells research has already discovered many treatments that slow down the aging process. More advanced research can perhaps find a way of completely stopping the aging process. Many ethical groups around the world have raised objection about this aspect of stem cells research and are of the view that humans have no right to interfere with the laws of nature.
With stem cells research, you can either completely favor it or completely oppose it. You just cannot ignore it.
Related posts:
