“Stem cells are undifferentiated, primitive cells with the ability both to multiply and to differentiate into specific kinds of cells. Stem cells hold the promise of allowing researchers to grow specialized cells or tissue, which could be used to treat injuries or disease (e.g., spinal cord injuries, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, strokes, burns).” (Slevin, 2010)

Choose ONE of the following issues and post to its thread with supporting evidence. Respond to two peers who wrote about issues other than the one you chose.

1. Discuss what you feel are the potential benefits of stem cell research for Alzheimer’s patients and their families.
2. Share your perspective on the stem cell debate regarding donation of surplus embryos to couples for “embryo adoption.”
3. Why is the task of disposing unused frozen human embryos different from disposing of other medical tissue?
4. Discuss why you think embryonic stem cell research “crosses a moral boundary.”

comment 1

Stem cell research provides great potential for comprehending essential mechanisms of human development and differentiation, as well as the hope for new treatments for diseases such as diabetes, spinal cord injury, Parkinson’s disease, and myocardial infarction (Lo, 2009). Nonetheless, embryonic stem cell research also produces severe ethical issues. Moral concerns surface when researchers work with lines that were derived in other jurisdictions under circumstances that would not be acceptable at their home organization. A clear example of when predicaments take place is when donors of research oocytes receive payments in excess of their expenditures and such costs are not permitted in the jurisdiction where the human stem cells will be utilized. For instance, the United Kingdom enacted an explicit policy to consent such payment after public consultation and debate and provided reasons to justify its decision (Lo, 2009). This practice becomes an unethical one because it clearly shows that the process stem cell research is being looked at as means to generate a profit rather than a way to aid humanity as a whole.

References

Lo, B. & Parham. L. (2009, April 14). Ethical Issues in Stem Cell Research. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC27268…

comment 2

The question I chose to talk about is, Discuss what you feel are the potential benefits of stem cell research for Alzheimer’s patients and their families? This was the question that interested me out of all the questions. There are many benefits of stem cell research for Alzheimer patients and their families. “Stem cell therapy for Alzheimer’s may be able to improve functional memory, regenerate neurons, improve overall functional recovery, and replace damaged cells with healthy cells” (DVCstem, n.d., para 8). Alzheimer is a complex disorder that is difficult to reverse and even with the use of stem cell therapy, it can only change the symptoms slightly. Stem cell research can be used for Alzheimers like other complex disorders to help scientists better understand whats going on in the brain. Because of this, I feel that stem cell transplant benefits the Alzheimier patients and their families because were continuously searching and testing for a cure rather than just sitting around and not looking for answers. The therapy will help us have a better understanding of the cells in our body and this can lead to positive outcomes.

DVCstem. (n.d.). Stem cell therapy for alzheimer’s. Retrieved March 24, 2021, from https://www.dvcstem.com/post/stem-cell-therapy-for-alzheimers