Is stem cell research ethical?

The views expressed in this column do not necessarily reflect the personal views of the reporter, the Blue Print newspaper or Moffat County School District. Reporters are asked to take a specific position in order to share selected perspectives.

NO - by Bear Steadman

When Albert Einstein discovered how to split an atom, he envisioned scientific breakthroughs that would better mankinds knowledge of life and the universe. Instead, his research was used to create the atom bomb, which is capable of only one thing, causing death and destruction. So whos to say a similar outcome wont come from stem cell research? It doesnt matter how good someones vision or intentions are, we cannot ignore the fact that this research could be used for the wrong reasons.

A large percentage of older scientists are against furthering progress in stem cell research because of the potential negative effects. Many feel messing with human stem cells and DNA can only have detrimental results. There is proof that in some stem cell experiments, the participants suffer horrible side effects. For example, since 1981, the use of embryonic stem cells has had a common result, the development of tumors in the area the stem cells were injected. Because of this, many scientists and government officials feel that it is necessary that we discontinue funding and research in this field.

We also have to think about the possible side effects of genetic engineering on the human race. It is a well known fact that DNA changes over time. If everyone were to start getting genetically engineered body parts that could possibly contain insignificant genetic differences, this could cause huge mutations in our DNA in future generations. If the DNA in a genetically engineered ear were slightly altered, wouldnt that leave room for the possibility of genetic mutations for that person or maybe even their kids some day?

Another extremely controversial issue involving stem cell research is animal rights. Experimenting on animals has been a big issue for quite a while and will become an even bigger if we continue to experiment with stem cells. Scientist are now able to grow human body parts on animals. So far they have only been able to replicate small body parts. The reason behind this is to see if the rats body would support and grow a foreign body part, but obviously at the animals expense. Although there will never be a rat to human transplant (the ear would not survive after being detached from the rat) growing human body parts on animals is cruel and unfair. The goal of science should be to better our understanding of life and the universe, to see how things work and how we can use them to make the world a better place, not to torture animals with cruel experiments or to genetically manipulate life.

We need to ask ourselves these kinds of questions before we jump into research that can have such a major negative impact. One small mistake or miscalculation could lead to one big catastrophe and we possibly could face some serious problems in our future. This decision is ultimately up to our generation.

YES - by Sarah Dippel

Over the years, science fiction movies have made fun of cloning super humans. They were stories purely for the amusement of the audience. In the late 1960s however, stories that people thought were merely fictional started coming true.

Stem cell research has opened many doors that have been locked for the past 50 years. The cure for diseases, preventing birth defects, growing new skin, and even new appendages for burn victims and amputees had scarcely been thought of until stem cell technology developed. The recent research scientists have been performing is giving them the opportunity to do all of these things. Skin as well as organs such as noses and ears would be available for burn victims.

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Is stem cell research ethical?