Embryonic stem cells

Created by: Dave1010
Created on: 06-01-18 10:31


	Embryonic stem cells
	Advantages A process called therapeutic cloning gives the embryo the same genetic information as the patient. this means it won't be rejected by the patient's body Potential to cure many diseases and medical conditions as they can replace faulty cells in patients' bodies (e.g. you could make insulin producing cells for people with diabetes)	Disadvantages Stem cells grown in the lab could be contaminated with a virus that could be passed on to already vulnerable patients Moral issues - each embryo is a potential human life (some class it as murder) Expensive
	Evaluation On one hand, stem cells have the potential to cure many incurable condition like diabetes by replacing faulty cells in the patient's body with healthy ones. On the other hand, cells grown in the lab could be contaminated with microorganisms (e.g. from a cough or uncleaned desk) which could harm already vulnerable patients if its passed on. Still, the chance of this is very small as the lab will be disinfected thoroughly as the scientists are dealing with cells and potential human lives. One argument against embryonic stem cells is that each embryo is a potential human life and so they shouldn't be used as tools. Others argue that the embryos were unwanted ones from fertility clinics so they would've been destroyed anyway however the campaigners for the rights of embryos want this banned too. Overall I am for embryonic stem cells are as they could save lives and improve the quality of life for millions. Although the embryos are destroyed (a potential human life), I feel that it is more important to cure patients who already exist and are suffering from conditions like diabetes.

Embryonic stem cells

Advantages

A process called therapeutic cloning gives the embryo the same genetic information as the patient. this means it won't be rejected by the patient's body
Potential to cure many diseases and medical conditions as they can replace faulty cells in patients' bodies (e.g. you could make insulin producing cells for people with diabetes)

Disadvantages

Stem cells grown in the lab could be contaminated with a virus that could be passed on to already vulnerable patients
Moral issues - each embryo is a potential human life (some class it as murder)
Expensive

Evaluation

On one hand, stem cells have the potential to cure many incurable condition like diabetes by replacing faulty cells in the patient's body with healthy ones. On the other hand, cells grown in the lab could be contaminated with microorganisms (e.g. from a cough or uncleaned desk) which could harm already vulnerable patients if its passed on. Still, the chance of this is very small as the lab will be disinfected thoroughly as the scientists are dealing with cells and potential human lives. One argument against embryonic stem cells is that each embryo is a potential human life and so they shouldn't be used as tools. Others argue that the embryos were unwanted ones from fertility clinics so they would've been destroyed anyway however the campaigners for the rights of embryos want this banned too. Overall I am for embryonic stem cells are as they could save lives and improve the quality of life for millions. Although the embryos are destroyed (a potential human life), I feel that it is more important to cure patients who already exist and are suffering from conditions like diabetes.

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Embryonic stem cells