The Use of Stem Cell and its Ethical Implications - Research Paper

Introduction

Stem cells are the primary units of life for all living organisms. The use of stem cells by human beings have steadily increased over the recent past in treatment of varieties of diseases of blood and bone marrow. However, most people are not aware of the advantages and disadvantages of stem cells to human beings. The knowledge of stem cells is selective with most Americans being aware of only one side of the effects of these cells. Consequently, most of them cannot effectively evaluate the facts behind the usage of stem cells and can only base their judgment on religious beliefs. Having researched on both advantages and disadvantages of stem cells, I believe that the cells play an integral role in enhancing lives of people by treating diseases that would otherwise have been incurable. Hence, just as reiterated by the American Association for the Advancement of Science, stem cell research should be ethically and legally accepted (Estaras et al. 2). Stem cells usage heavily reduces dependency on organ donations and transplantations. The primary objective of this paper is to determine the safety of stem cells by focusing on animal and human cell research, its impact on the society and my personal opinion on whether I would try the procedure.

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The question as to whether stem cells are safe for human beings and whether it is ethically right for one to use them has been constantly asked by different researchers. This has led to numerous studies and surveys being carried out to determine the effectiveness of stem cells and whether the individuals interviewed would practice it if need be. Stem cells can easily divide to create other cells or new cell types with unique functions. There are two common types of stem cells; embryonic stem cells and adult stem cells. Embryonic stem cells are cells that originate from the inner cell mass of a blastocyst of a five-day-old embryo while adult stem cells are the cells found in fewer quantities in adults. Stem cells are characterized by their abilities to be potent- the ability to split into various cell types. However, embryonic stem cells are more potent than adult stem cells, thus most scientists use it in treating various diseases. The evaluation of advantages and disadvantages of stem cells enables one to determine whether they would try out the procedure.

Stem cells are highly potent; thus they provide myriads of functions than adult stem cells. They able to differentiate into different cell types. They are easily available as compared to adult stem cells for laboratory research. They can easily grow in cell culture hence have a greater chance to cure diseases. However, adult stem cells have the tendency of having a lower risk of igniting the body to reject stem cell therapies that involve organ transplantations. The use of embryonic stem cells has been rejected by many people as ethically wrong. Before going deep into the impact of stem cells, it is imperative to understand the basic ideas about cells.

Technology and Associated Science in Relation to Stem Cells

According to Kam and Hitti, cells are the primary structural units of an organism (1). The cell is composed of different organelles such as nucleus and cytoplasm. One of the organelles found in the nucleus is DNA which is responsible for cell development. The cytoplasm contains other organelles that are responsible for various activities within the cell. There are numerous types of cells, most of which are differentiated. These cells are differentiated in the sense that they have obvious specialization of gene expression. Other cells are undifferentiated, meaning that they lack obvious specialization of gene expression and appear like a bland when viewed on a microscope. Most of these cells are specialized in different ways, particularly on how they are restricted from becoming other cells. They are majorly found in the embryo where they develop into different types of differentiated cells with time. As noted by Kam and Hitti, stem cells are mainly undifferentiated (2).

A stem cell is a cell that exists throughout the lifetime of an organism as it reproduces and generates differentiated progeny (Loughnane 2). In summary, stem cells possess two distinct characteristics that distinguish them from other cells. First, these cells are able to regenerate themselves through cell division. In contrast, other cells such as blood cells are not able to replicate themselves. Second, stem cells can be induced to become tissue or organ-specific cells when subjected to experimental or physiological conditions. A stem cell cannot work with other cells in pumping blood through the body but unspecialized stem cells can produce specialized cells that are able to effectively work with others in carrying out numerous activities in the body (Stem Cell Research - Timeline 3).

This paper focuses on three types of stem cells; embryonic stem, adult stem cell, and induced pluripotent stem cells. Embryonic stem cells are majorly found in embryos and have been at the center stage of discussion on its ethical applications. Adult stem cells are undifferentiated cells that renew or repair the tissues in which they are found. Induced pluripotent stem cells are reprogrammed adult cells into embryonic stem cell-like state. Embryonic stem cells are mainly obtained from embryos developed from an egg which was fertilized in vitro. It is imperative to note that these cells are not obtained from the eggs fertilized in a woman's womb. These cells are important for numerous reasons. In a blastocyst, the inners regenerate to form an entire organism with complex body structures and special organs. Ironically, Thompson believes that embryonic cells do not naturally exist (4). He believes that these cells are artificially created by human beings and only exist I the world of tissue culture.

Extensive research has also been carried out on adult stem cells. According to Loughnane, an adult stem cell is an undifferentiated cell that is located among differentiated cells in an organ or tissue (3). It has the potential of renewing itself and can differentiate to form different types of specialized tissues or organs. The primary function of an adult stem cell is to repair the tissues of the organs in which they are located throughout the life of the organism. These cells are found in many organs and tissues such as brain, testis, heart, and teeth. The cells are very active on the skin of an organism where it continuously renews the skin tissues.

There are distinct differences between embryonic and adult stem cells. Embryonic stem cells have the ability to become any tissue while adult stem cells are restricted to giving rise to some types of tissues. Recent studies have also led to the discovery of induced pluripotent stem cells. These are genetically reprogrammed adult cells to embryonic stem cell-like state by being coerced to show factors and genes that are very important in defining the properties of embryonic stem cells (Slack 4). Embryonic stem cells are primarily found in the blastocyst which reorganizes itself in three layers known as germ layers. These layers are the ectoderm, the mesoderm, and the endoderm. The layers generate specific tissues, organs, and systems of the entire body of a human being.

Stem cells and their research can be used for different purposes. One primary use of stem cells research is that it helps in understanding the growth and development of cells and how they change into specialized cells that constitute an organism. Stem cells are also widely used in testing of new medications for safety and effectiveness (Slack 4). For instance, new drugs are tested on differentiated cells generated from the pluripotent cells lines of humans in order to establish their effectiveness. The pluripotent stem cells are very pivotal in this instance since they would allow drug testing in a wider range of cell types. Stem cells are also hugely applied in cell-based therapy. In this field, stems cells are cultured and used to in regeneration of new cells or replacement of damaged cells or tissues. Organ transplant is currently facing numerous challenges. For instance, the immune system of the recipient might reject the organ or replacement of an organ takes time. However, stem cells offer the perfect solution to the challenges faced in organ transplant since they regenerate faster to form a new organ. They are very pivotal in treating diseases such as Alzheimer's diseases, diabetes, and heart diseases (Stem Cell Information 1).

Medical Risks and Ethical Problems Associated With Stem Cells

The implantation and retrieval of stem cells from human body is always under constant criticism from different persons and organization. Some people argue that women who donate their eggs are subjected to dangerous conditions that can cause permanent damage to their health. These women are injected with hormonal drugs, some of which are not even approved for use. This might result in long-term health effects to the women affected. Furthermore, commercialization of egg donation would lead to exploitation of women who fall into such trap as they would be injected with drugs that ultimately cause them serious harm. Most of the scientist who carry out such kind of research usually do not pay close attention to the donors of the eggs. They usually use these women as bait for carrying out experiment and research. The first experiment on 'test-tube baby' was done in 1978 and the procedure was riddled with numerous inconsistencies and unethical practices. The procedures were done in a private facility where there was no supervision by the relevant authority and the women who volunteered for the experiment who duped of its safety. According to Hurlbut, most of the research on stem cells is very limited and retrospective (81). Egg-harvesting has both short term and long term side effects on women who donates these eggs. It is more often uncomfortable for women accepts to donate eggs for experiment since the process requires constant clinical visits and numerous hormonal drugs to produce more eggs. These problems exist when carrying out research on stem cells and there is emotional risk since the freezing eggs offer false hope. Some of the effects of the drug on the affected women are stimulation which causes the ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). The symptoms of the disease include abdominal distention, vomiting, diarrhea and nausea. These symptoms would worsen and the affected persons would eventually rapidly gain weight and accumulate serous fluid in the spaces between their tissues and organs. OHSS is a serious disease that has claimed numerous lives with the largest number of deaths caused by the disease in the UK being five in 2005. The long-term effects of egg harvesting are not known but they can be heavily detrimental to women health. During the first phase of egg harvesting, the scientists uses Lupron which has heavily been complaint about due to its heavy side effects. The drug has caused more than 25 deaths and over 600 people have complaint about it (Hurlbut 77). These figures are mind-boggling and women who would wish to donate their eggs should be given such statistics in order to make the right decision. According to some reports, long-term effect of egg harvesting would be ovarian cancer. The rise on human eggs have predisposed women, especially the ones from poor countries to serious medical conditions which might arise from the egg-harvesting procedures. It is ethically and socially unjustifiable for women to provide eggs and risk their health in return. The opponents of stem cell research base their argument on the fact that destruction of an embryo is equivalent to murder. Embryo is by no doubt a human being hence it should be treated with full right and privilege of human beings.

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