Argumentative Essay On Embryonic Life

Student number 1380539
Embryonic cell research is based on the harvesting of cells from the early stages of the embryo once fertilization has occurred. These stem cells have a great significance as these cells are pluripotent (Hug, 2015). The pluripotentcy of these cells allow scientists to differentiate these cells into many different cells which allow advances to be made to science in regenerative medicine. This method has brought about controversy as many people believe harvesting from fertilised embryos as direct killing of potential life (Ethics ,science ,stem cells, 2013). The main question is whether an embryo can be considered life at such an early phase and whether they should be used to find cures in alleviating patients from incurable ailments.
Embryonic cell research has the potential to improve the lives of those suffering and therefore this method should be supported.
Embryonic cell research is of great importance as it is aimed at improving people’s lives with incurable conditions such as Parkinson’s, diabetes, spinal cord injury and many other conditions. Embryonic cell research is aimed at introducing certain cells into the body which will allow the body to produce much needed cells and regenerate the cells independently within the body (O B'rien, 2016).This reveals that this research will not only lead to treatments but it will lead to cures. The emphasis on the importance of this research overcomes the fact that embryos are being used as the source of research as the embryos are still in the early phases of development. It is often viewed by religious and anti-abortion groups that the use of embryos for this research is immoral and that embryos deserve rights.
Religion is a big factor in the opposition of stem cell research as some religions such as the Catholic Church go against any form of prevention of life (Surve, 2009). Embryonic usage for research should not be denied based on views considering it to be unethical because most fertilised eggs are lost due to natural causes where implantation does not occur (Rettner, 2014). This leads to the conclusion that not all fertilised embryos have the potential to form into human beings. This proves that they cannot be considered as a human being unless it is implanted in the human uterus and its cells have started specialising to form its nervous system and organs. Embryos at early phases should therefore be considered as a mass of cells with the potential to become a life and if not, then they should be considered to be cells with the potential to contribute to
science.
The excess embryos from the In vitro fertilisation method are often used as the research medium in many countries. Invitro fertilisation is the process by which embryos are fertilised in a dish and then placed into the uterus of the patient wishing to conceive. When the fertilised embryos are chosen for transfer, only the healthiest embryos are chosen (Foundation, 2013). The excess fertilised embryos are frozen, disposed as medical waste or donated for medical research (Beil, 2012). The fertilised embryos donated for research allows those embryos to be useful in terms of providing a platform for scientists to develop cures and further the stem cell research. Countries such as Finland, Sweden and Switzerland allow embryonic stem cell research to be performed on the leftovers of embryos from fertility centres (Doherty, 2012). Instead of the excess embryos having no use, it is contributed towards the progress made in stem cell research.
The alternative to using embryo stem cells is the harvesting of cells from adult stem cells which are derived from places such as the bone marrow, blood vessels and the heart in the adult body. This method is not as effective as adult stem cells are limited to what type of stem cells they can differentiate into (Murnaghan, 2015). The procedure involved in locating the stem cells in the fertilised embryo is less complex and they are also clear of genetic diseases that adult stems may contain (Member, 2015).
Embryonic stem cell research has opened up opportunities for patients suffering from neurodegenerative diseases to have potential cures in the future. Denying the research on embryonic stem cells based on ethical views on an embryo is equivalent to denying the opportunity of a suffering patient to have the opportunity to get cured and live a good quality life. The potential outcomes of embryonic cell research outweigh the fact that fertilised embryos are being used as stepping stones towards improved medicine.