What is a negative reason for stem cell research?

Answer 1

It's considered to be taking the life of a human

Answer 2

Stem cells would feel exploited
God would not like it, cos we'd be getting too uppity and thinking we are like Her.

The main negatives about stem cell research seem to be about the philosophies of:

o Obtaining the stem cells
o Human cloning

There are reputable sources for stem cells which shouldn't upset anybody, such as cord blood from the umbilical cord of babies newly born.

The issues of cloning are a big can of worms. Many philosophical questions need to be answered here about what a clone is and what their rights are, if any. Note that much stem cell research will not in fact have anything to do with cloning. There is a potential for research into stem cells to allow us to grow any types of human cells, and possibly to thus develop replacement organs. From there it is not an unreasonable step to growing a full human body.

There are some ignorant people out there who assume anything they don't understand is wrong. They should learn about it and debate it sensibly.

For instance, ⋆⋆⋆New World Nemesis⋆⋆⋆ has put forward that use of a stem cell would be taking the life of a human without realising that he kills cells that once were stem cells at an alarming rate. Just because a skin cell has human DNA does not make it a human. Just because a stem cell has human DNA does not make it a human.

Answer 3

Many people feel that since some stem cell lines are derived from fetal tissue that this constitutes at least an endorsement of the taking of human life before birth.
This is basically a religious argument and thus has no logic behind it, and the truth is that blindness such as this is currently impeding valuable research that could (in the short term) provide cures to many diseases, such as parkinson's disease and Huntington's disease, and eventually perhaps even lead to the ability to clone antigen-free organs for transplant, solving the huge supply problems that we have now and long waiting lists for transplant.
As far as I'm concerned, the arguments against stem cell research are founded in ignorance and fundemantalism, and ignore the lives we could save by doing more research sooner, and are given by those who value the life of an unborn fetus so highly, that they don't seem to consider any other factors in decisions that have anything to do with fetal tissue in any way.

Answer 4

The reasons all given against embryonic stem cell ersearch by opponents of such research tend to be based upon moral objections to the use of embryos l.e. the alleged destruction of human life, or potential human life, to preserve and cure those already living. It all boils down to scinece versus religion, though, a dommon and dontentious battle. Hope this helps!

Answer 5

Stem cells have been discovered in amnio fluid, and the cells from amniotic fluid generate a broad range of important cell types.

I personally do not support stem cell research if those cells are harvested from aborted children (which is usually the case).

Answer 6

The only way of obtaining stem cells is from aborted foetuses. I know they keep placentas / umbilical cords from live births too but the useful material comes from dead babies. That's the moral objection. They also fertilise embryos to obtain viable cells (the ones that can grow into anything) then destroy them. Destroying Life to Preserve life? Its a tricky one. Either way when cures for spinal damage, diabetes etc come along the common man won't benefit. The Drugs companies will milk it and restrict it for all it's worth. There is no money is cures. They want people to live comfortably sick... Dead babies or not WE wont benefit.

Answer 7

There are certain branches of stem cell research that communities do not like - like cloning. Other branches are used for procedures to help diabetes that everyone is not aware of. They typically lump everything together and say yes or no where it's not that easy.

Good luck.

Answer 8

ANY research, knowledge, or invention can be turned into a weapon, and weapons have only one purpose