Question

Controversy surrounds the use of embryonic stem cells in regenerative medicine. Briefly discuss this statement and the use of umbilical cord stem cells as an alternative source of stem cells.

Answer 1

Embryonic stem cell research offer hope for new therapies, but their use in research has been debated about for a long time. It is ethically and politically controversial because;

1. It involves the destruction of human embryos. According to many, extracting stem cells from an embryo is as morally equivalent to harvesting an organ from a baby to save other people's life.

2. It is commonly presumed that an embryo is a person with the same moral status as an adult. It deserves the same respect that our law give to all of us.

3. According to some religious beliefs, the soul enters the body at the moment of conseption.

Umbilical code stem cells do not raise special ethical concerns as in the case of embryo stem cell research and are widely used around the globe because,

1. Umbellical cord blood which contains stem cells when collected after birth causes no harm to both mother or baby.

2. These cells are pluripotent and are capable of giving rise to tissues such as epithelial, endothelial, hematopoietic and neural.

3. Isolation of these cells helps in the treatment of different types of diseases such as cardiovascular, ophthalmic, neurological and endocrine.