Emerging_Issues

There have been many advances in science and technology that have produced throughout the years. Development of these advances will continue to take place, and more likely to improve with the continued progression of science. Although stem cell research has produced positive results, it is an emerging issue that continues to arouse concerns among individuals. Stem cell research is one of those topics that people may see as posing future ethical dilemmas within healthcare. This paper will discuss stem cell research, the pro’s and con’s of the stated topic, the ethical dilemmas that stem cell research faces in the future, and the global competition affecting U.S. health care policy. According to Wikipedia, stem cells are cells that are found in multi cellular organisms. They are characterized by the ability to renew themselves through mitotic cell division and differentiate into a diverse range of specialized cell types (Wikipedia, 2011). Stem cells are more known as a genetic cell that can make exact copies of itself. The stem cell has the ability to produce specialized cells for various tissues in the body, such as heart muscle, brain and liver tissue (Healthline, Connect to Better Health, 2009). Currently, medical research has been focusing on two types of stem cells, adult stem cells and embryonic stem cells. There are many individuals that see the pro’s and con’s within stem cell research. Some people see the medical benefits stem cell research can produce, and the lives that can be saved through this technology. Some benefits are; limbs and organs that can be grown in a lab from stem cells and used for transplants or to help treat illnesses, assisting scientist to learn about human growth and development, adult cells can be used to treat the actual patient of their illness, and stem cell research holds the key to reversing the effects of aging and prolonging life among individuals (Pillai, 2010). These are only a few of the benefits that can be used through stem cell research. Some of the negatives that are related to stem cell research are based in religion as well individual seeing the moral and ethical issues that are reflected with stem cell research. Some examples of the con’s are; the use of embryonic stem cells for research involves the destruction of blastocyst formed from laboratory-fertilized human eggs, stem cell therapy that was used on heart disease patients, it showed that it can make their coronary arteries more narrower, and no one knows the long term effects that as it is new technology (Pillai, 2010). These are only a few of the disadvantages that can happen with the use of stem cell research. The majority of negatives that have been researched are that humans should not play God, or mess with the human life (Experiment Resources, 2008). There are many ethical dilemmas that continue to arise with stem cell research. Some of the controversy is based on the belief by opponents that a fertilized egg is fundamentally a human being with rights and interests that need to be protected (Healthline, Connect to Better Health, 2009). However, supporters argue that the fertilized eggs are donated with consent from each couple and would be discarded anyway. Therefore there is no potential for those fertilized eggs to become human beings (Healthline, Connect to Better Health, 2009). With this topic being a major factor with stem cell research, the controversy surrounding stem cell research will continue for quite some time. By not being able to use the embryonic stem cells, many of future breakthroughs, or diagnosis that can be determined, will not due to this hold. There are various countries that have different opinions/regulations when it comes to stem cell research. Some countries see the benefits and allow the research to be done freely, while others either opposed to it, or just have certain restrictions. In Canada, funding for stem cell research was increased to explore adult stem cells to substitute damaged cells in the heart, lungs, and blood vessels. Canadian policy states that any embryos produced for the purpose of using stem cells which are then ruined after the removal of stem cells is offensive (STEMCELLMLM, 2010). In the European Union, there are careful to where the funding of stem cell research goes. The European Union does not advocate embryo destruction. Their research focuses more on adult stem cells (STEMCELLMLM, 2010). In March 2009, Obama lifted a research ban that would allow for tax payers dollars to fund research through embryonic stem cells (CBS News, 2009). However, in August 2010, a federal district judge blocked President Obama’s ban stating that federal funding (tax payer dollars) should not be used for the destruction on embryonic stem cell research. With many countries continuing with stem cell research, it provides a great benefit for these different countries. With continual stem cell research being done, it can increase revenue for the effective research. In Southeast Michigan, they have begun collaborating and co-sponsoring the 2010 World Stem Cell Summit. Advocates for this believe that the growing research infrastructure will bring increased revenue for research facilities and staff, and have the ability to train new graduate students, develop new drug therapies, and spin off clinical businesses throughout the region (Archambault, 2010). If certain countries choose to ban stem cell research it can affect their economy. For example, if stem cell research is being conducted in the European Union, and they come with a great breakthrough in which it can help save many lives. The European Union will continue to get funding so they can continue with research. This can assist with employment, pharmaceutical company’s investments, etc. The United States has many advantages for continued funding, and the majority of the world’s stem cell scientist and companies are in the U.S. The United States can have investments of federal and state governments, private foundations, and individual donors exceed the investments made by other individual nations (Harvard Stem Cell Institute, 2008). Stem cell research has produced positive results and has assisted in saving and prolonging many lives. Although many controversies continue with this topic, people should see the good it has been doing in helping those who need it. Countries should continue effectively promoting stem cell research, as this will provide great benefits for them. Science and technology will always grow greatly throughout the years. People benefit from these advances as they want a cure from an illness for themselves or for loved ones. Stem cell research will continue to be a topic that will carry on future ethical and controversial dilemmas within healthcare.   References Archambault, D. (2010, January). Regenerating our Economy with Stem Cells. Retrieved from http://www.metromodemedia.com CBS News. (2009, March). Obama Ends Stem Cell Research Ban. Retrieved from http://www.cbsnews.com Experiment Resources. (2008). Stem Cell Research- Pros and Cons. Retrieved from http://www.experiment-resources.com Harris, G. (2010, August). Judge Halt's Obama's Expansion on Stem Cell Research. Retrieved from http://www.NYTimes.com Harvard Stem Cell Institute. (2008, August). The impact of federal policy on global competition in stem cell research. Retrieved from http://www.hsci.harvard.edu Healthline, Connect to Better Health. (2009, August). Stem Cell Research. Retrieved from http://www.healthline.com Pillai, P. (2010, June). Advantages and Disadvantages of Stem Cell Research. Retrieved from http://www.buzzle.com STEMCELLMLM. (2010). Effective Stem cell research around the world. Retrieved from http://www.stemcellmlm.com Wikipedia. (2011, February). Stem Cell. Retrieved from http://http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stem_cell