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Kyle Liddle

Mr. Droski

English 11B-5

18 Dec. 2019

Serious Stem Cells

Throughout history, humans have experimented and discovered great things with science.

S​cientific discoveries influence our current living conditions and future possibilities. ​However,

the effects of these scientific discoveries are not always positive; stems cells, and the research

around them, are examples of such discoveries and experiments. The use of embryos should not

be an option within stem cell research. The use of embryos has caused controversy, the

operations done with stem cells are not proven, and embryonic stem cells are volatile and

causing negative long term effects in the human population.

Stem cells are unspecified cells that can be differentiated into other cells. Among the

many types of stem cells, there are embryonic stem cells and somatic stem cells. Stem cells have

great potential as they can be highly specialized and also have “self renewal capabilities” (“Stem

Cells”). Stem cells also have four major sub-groups:totipotent cells, multipotent cells, pluripotent

cells, and unipotent cells. Totipotent cells are the cells that evolve into a fetus. Multipotent cells

can turn into blood, bone marrow, and skin. Pluripotent cells can turn into any cell inside of the

body. Unipotent cells can be specified into one type of cell. Induced pluripotent stem cells are

adult cells returned to a state close to that of embryonic stem cells. They are often used in

scientific research, and there is hope that they will be used in organ transplants. Stem cells are

well suited for many medical treatments and procedures such as treating spinal cord injuries,
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chronic pain, orthopedic, diabetes, cardiovascular, blood disorders, sensory loss, and

degenerative diseases. Stem cell research began as controversial and has remained controversial.

A major source of stem cells has been the umbilical cord of a newborn baby. Therapeutic cloning

is a major ethical concern and it challenges religious, social, and ethical views. Therapeutic

cloning has been used on animals but not humans (“Stem Cells”).

The use of stem cells has been heavily debated. The Catholic Church, a well-known

Pro-Life advocate, has condoned the use of adult stem cells for research but not the use of

embryonic stem cells. According to ​Notre Dame Magazine​, “Stem cells come in three varieties:

embryonic, adult and what are called induced pluripotent or iPS cells. Of the three types, Sloan

points out that only research using embryonic stem cells has been condemned by the Church.

The Church is opposed to the use of human embryonic stem cells because embryos must be

destroyed to acquire them. The other types of stem cells are derived from adult tissue and

therefore not morally problematic” (Monczunski). Many other churches and religions agree with

this ideal because they believe an embryo is a human life and has the same right to life as

everyone else. Notre Dame, a private Catholic university, has been conducting stem cell

research, but only on adult stem cells. Within the scientific community, “Notre Dame [ND]

scientists and engineers are engaged in a number of groundbreaking biomedical research projects

aimed at combating blindness, arthritis, blood disorders and a host of other diseases”

(Monczunski). The article goes on to explain the significance of their research and the fact that

Notre Dame uses only adult stem cells. Many within and surrounding this religious community

“...have had moral misgivings about certain types of stem cells. In this context, it is important to

note that absolutely none of the research conducted at [the University of] Notre Dame violates
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Church teaching on the sanctity of life” (Monczunski). The controversy over embryonic stem

cells and their destruction in order to obtain them is not worth the research and the unproven

benefits.

Stem cell therapies are extremely experimental and are based on hope, not merit. Stem

cell therapies are miracle therapies when they work, but it is a miracle if they work. Doctors

make a living off of using science to help make people feel better and give patients hope. The

doctors using stem cell therapies are hoping they work just as much as the patients are. After

manipulation of the cells, the “Doctors then inject or infuse the slurry of concentrated cells back

into the patient, where, both doctor and patient hope they'll promote healing” (Sternberg). The

fact that even doctors are hoping the treatments work and not turn into a larger problem is a

major problem. There have been more and more cases of people needing to be treated again

because stem cell therapies have failed. Stem cell therapies are not proven safe to be used, hence

why they have not been approved by the FDA.

Stem cells have the potential to change what and who we are as humans. We have major

issues in the world such as hunger, lack of sanitation, production of too much waste, and many

other issues caused by human arrogance. Humans living long from stem cell therapies

completely change who we are, and it will change how we live. It affects us on a more global

level, also; longer life with more people makes life on this planet that much more complex.

According to ​The Hastings Center Report,​ “Other possible negative consequences include a

growing burden on the environment due to overpopulation, a prolongation of adolescent

immaturity, increased burdens on an already strained health care system, and other social costs”

(Lauritzen). The economy and world is already struggling due to the expanding population of the
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world, and a longer life span will make for an increased population as people will have more

time to have children and take care of them. Humans have evolved and been created to be what

we are today. We have the natural lifespan from our body fighting off disease, but eventually,

our bodies will fail. Stem cells try to save the failing parts, but the body will eventually get to the

point of failing. At this point, the use of stem cells will need to be unlimited, and there is not an

unlimited resource of stem cells. Stem cell therapy is too demanding to be used.

Stem cells are always under research, and in the limited research scientists have done,

they have found that embryonic stem cells may have more potential and be more useful than

adult stem cells. Scientists want to believe that fetal tissue transplants will “...begin to save lives

and cure diseases…. George believes that the threat of fetus farming is real and imminent

because stem cells from early (five-day-old) embryos have problems that prevent them from

being used in therapies; problems not found with fetal stem cells” (George). This finding makes

many people ask why we do not use embryonic cells. Embryonic stem cells are hard to obtain

and do have problems but are more susceptible in development. The research with embryonic

stem cells does not just stop at using the stem cells but instead will continue onto other inhumane

ways of creating or obtaining the stem cells. Embryonic stem cells should not be tested or used in

more research. The possible side effects and instability of embryonic stem cells make them not

worth the process of obtaining them.

Stem cells are a miracle in the health industry. Somatic or adult cells are the only stem

cells that should be used in research and stem cell therapies. Embryonic stem cells are too

unstable, too controversial, the operations are not proven, and the expansion of the human

population will cause more extreme problems.

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Works Cited

George, Robert P. "Stem Cells Should Not Be Harvested from Artificially Grown Fetuses." Stem

Cells, edited by Jacqueline Langwith, Greenhaven Press, 2007. Opposing Viewpoints.

Gale In Context: Opposing Viewpoints,

https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/EJ3010453230/OVIC?u=lom_accessmich&sid=OVIC&xi

d=7a8b97bd​. Accessed 2 Dec. 2019. Originally published as "Fetal Attraction: What

Stem Cell Scientists Really Want," The Weekly Standard, 3 Oct. 2005.

Lauritzen, Paul. "Stem Cell Treatments Threaten Human Morality." Stem Cells, edited by

Jacqueline Langwith, Greenhaven Press, 2007. Opposing Viewpoints. Gale In Context:

Opposing Viewpoints,

https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/EJ3010453216/OVIC?u=lom_accessmich&sid=OVIC&xi

d=6adbb5e0​. Accessed 3 Dec. 2019. Originally published as "Stem Cells, Biotechnology,

and Human Rights," The Hastings Center Report, vol. 35, Mar.-Apr. 2005, pp. 25-33.

Monczunski, John. "The Catholic Church Supports Adult Stem Cell Research." Embryonic and

Adult Stem Cells, edited by Susan C. Hunnicutt, Greenhaven Press, 2013. At Issue. Gale

In Context: Opposing Viewpoints,

https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/EJ3010580224/OVIC?u=lom_accessmich&sid=OVIC&xi

d=cc20b62a​. Accessed 3 Dec. 2019. Originally published as "Exploring the Medical

Promise of Stem Cells," Notre Dame Magazine, Winter 2009.

"Stem Cells." Gale Opposing Viewpoints Online Collection, Gale, 2019. Gale In Context:

OpposingViewpoints,
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https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/PC3010999132/OVIC?u=lo​m_accessmich&sid=

OVIC&xid=ba11b15nf. Accessed 26 Nov. 2019.

Sternberg, Steve. "Physicians Are Treating Patients Using Questionable Stem Cell Therapies."

Embryonic and Adult Stem Cells, edited by Susan C. Hunnicutt, Greenhaven Press, 2013.

At Issue. Gale In Context: Opposing Viewpoints,

https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/EJ3010580229/OVIC?u=lom_accessmich&sid=OV​IC&xi

d=5ed35e3b. Accessed 3 Dec. 2019. Originally published as "Doctors Offer Unapproved

Stem Cell Therapies," USA Today, 29 June 2011.