Issues
When it comes to stem cell research, many people have concerns. This brings up a host of ethical, legal, and economic issues with many differing points of view. Stem cell research has become one of the most controversial topics dividing scientific communities globally.
Ethical and Social Issues
Embryonic Stem Cells:
One of the most debated topics in science is the harvesting of embryonic stem cells. The entire issue revolves around one small yet very morally complex question: At what point does life begin? As of now, most people believe that to obtain stem cells that are usable, scientists have to use an embryo that has already been conceived or clone an embryo using a cell from a patient's body and a donated egg. In both scenarios, the embryo must be destroyed to harvest the cells. While this is true, according to CIRM, "There is, however, a second method that creates embryonic stem cell lines without destroying the embryo. Instead, scientists take a single cell from a very early stage IVF embryo and can use that one cell to develop a new line."
Many do not know this however, and even though the beginning stages of an embryo, or a blastocyst, only contains a handful of cells, many view the harvesting of these cells to be equal to taking a human life.
Although many argue that embryonic stem cells are not to be harvested due to the belief that they have human rights from the moment of conception, others do not think of it as being far enough in its development to be considered a human life.
Even though many are against the use of embryonic stem cells, they do advocate for stem cell research using other forms of stem cells, as no potential life is being harmed when adult stem cells are harvested or when induced pluripotent stem cells are produced.
Political Issues
Due to the uproar of activists standing up against embryonic stem cell research, the government stepped in.
For the past few decades, ever since stem cell research became known, there have been many regulations and laws passed and repealed to prevent or continue stem cell research.
When President George W. Bush was elected president in 2001, he suspended federal funding for embryonic stem cell research and permitted stem cell research only on embryonic stem cell lines created before that date, which very much limited researchers considering that only 60 cell lines existed, and not all were viable. President Barack Obama relieved the heavy restrictions on embryonic stem cell research in 2009 and permitted the federal funding of embryonic stem cell research. Since then, President Obama has been criticized by distinguished religious leaders, government officials, and other people who are against the research of embryonic stem cell research while concurrently being praised by researchers, scientists, other supporters, and possible patients.
Image Source: OI-3
Economic Issues
Over all, stem cell research may be costly, but the end result is very productive. NIH may spend billions of dollars a year for stem cell research, but real progress is being made. Some research facilities even save money. For instance, in California, CIRM funding creates jobs and creates tax revenue. "So far, CIRM has generated 13,000 job-years of employment, bringing in over $100 million in new tax revenue. CIRM also doesn't cost the state's fund any money."
Image Source: OI-4