why do some people consider stem cell research a bad thing.?

Answer 1

The stances taken on defining when "life" begins: conception, birth, or somewhere between is why most who disagree, do so. That portion of the populous that feels it's at conception, by extension will have to argue that it's taking a life, and thus by all accounts "a bad thing".

Those of us in the scientific community look at it not so much as a "good" or "bad" thing, but what gives the most payoff for the expenditure. Thus far, adult stem-cells (undifferentiated cells) have produced amazing results. However, with a virtually unlimited group of adult cells to work with, it's not a level playing field with the few embryonic lines available.

On the political front, it's more an issue of "should government be involved" in such a religious/scientific mess of an issue. Further delving down, if government should be involved, should it be a Federal or a State issue?

It's a sticky mess (no pun intended.... well, maybe a little).

Answer 2

Quick science lesson (trust me, this is more accurate than the last response I just read): After fertilization, the newly formed "zygote" splits into two replications of itself, those two split, the next four split, and so on. This continues until there are 8 identical cells, After that, they do some compicated stuff that doesn't need to be outlined here. Essentially, if this was left to continue, different cells would form different parts of the body. But until this point, any of these cells can be rearranged or pulled apart and still have the ability to develop into any body tissue. The point is this: embryonic stem cell research requires that this development be disrupted in order to research what these cells can become. They have the ability, up until this point, to become any part of the body, but as they develop further, they lose this ability.

There are different kinds of stem cell research; most people don't know that. Embryonic stem cell research is the one that most people disagree with because it requires the destruction of at least part of an embryo (although the rest of the embryo could go on to develop into a human, it never happens because they don't do research like this on naturally-conceived fetuses). They can only do this research on certain cell lines that already exist only for this purpose. The problem is that a lot of people see that re-directing the development of a possible human baby to be wrong. The main problem is goverment funding: people don't want their tax money funding the type of research that they consider immoral. If you want a more accurate picture of what stem cell research is, follow this link: http://www.isscr.org/public/ISSCRstemCellPrimer.pdf

I'm against embryonic stem cell research, but I'm okay with the others (not nuclear transfer). Don't think I'm trying to promote it. It's just that this topic never gets discussed in all its complexity. We studied it in a class for two months, and it wasn't enough for everybody to come to a consensus about it. The fact is, embryonic stem cell research requires the destruction of an embryo -- a potential human life. That's why people are against it. By the way, embryonic stem cell research has very near the LEAST probability of curing the diseases people are worried about because the the lack of control we have over the cells -- they're more likely to turn into cancer. Ask the experts -- they'll say the same thing.

Answer 3

Generally, the stem cells that are most productive for research efforts have to come from human embryos, which, if not used for research, would have the potential to become babies. People who wrestle with stem cell research have the difficult task of weighing a potential life against medical research that could improve lives in the future. I'm pretty sure most embryonic stem cells come from aborted fetuses and extra embryos stored by fertility clinics. The most militant of stem cell naysayers would probably call the researchers "baby-killers." There has been some work done using adult stem cells as opposed to embryonic stem cells. I don't think the adult stem cells are quite as pliable, but they sure do have less controversy attached!

Answer 4

Stem cell research began very poorly. Many people got the impression that the only way to atain healthy stem cells is by the use of a dead embryo. It's very difficult to re-educate the public. Another huge reason that people view it as bad is religon. Most church organizations are against stem cell research because the potential that is actually has, stem cell research can cure a lot of otherwise untreatable ailments, which would hurt the church.

Answer 5

People consider stem cell research to be bad because:
1. They think that the stem cells are all coming from embryos that have been created for that purpose, so it is killing babies.
2. They think that science shouldn't be messing with the genetics of people because it is like "playing God".
3. They don't have sons and daughters who need stem cell therapy. I do. My son is quadriplegic following a car accident 2 years ago.

Answer 6

This is my opinion.

I have seen a documentary about that from Discovery channel...

Stem cell Research is not bad like "e=mc2". Bad, how it will be used is unimaginable.

But the purpose goes beyond human ethics. And worse, researches like this have big funds coming from interested parties or should I say some parties will use this research as a weapon.

Chips so small and computers so fast are developed mainly for military. The ones we see in the market today were ages ago in the military realm.

We are interferring with nature, and as National Geographic says.. when men play with nature, nature fights back.

Answer 7

Usually people who are against stem cell research are against embryonic stem cell research. They don't like the idea of killing a living being to cure disease. So far no research using embryonic stems cells has been successful. If it does however, stem cells from umbilical cords after a birth can be used without the infamy of those from aborted fetuses and frozen embryos.
Adult stem cell research does look promising however. And most people I know who are against using embryonic stem cells are fine with adult stem cell research.

Answer 8

well, what happens is that the easiest way to get stem cells is from a fetus. the stem cells would usually form important organs such as the heart, liver, lungs etc. the problem is that in order to extract the stem cells you must kill the fetus, and in term the big question is raised: is that murder? where does life begin?does it begin when the sperm and egg unite. or when the heart starts beating. this brings controversy because many argue that the fetus is a living thing because it has the potential of life, there for it deserves and has equal rights as any child. this makes stem cell research a crime and illegal.

Answer 9

stem cells are fertilized eggs, they are the first few reproductions of human cells. In early developement after the egg is fertilized by sperm it begins to divide into very smart cells we call stem cells. These cells build the human body (so to speak) and are the beginings of us.

They say it is bad because you must create a life to get stem cells. Now they use stuff sucked out from abortions but... you know think about it. doesn't sound good.

idk where i stand but if i did it i would not pretend i wasn't manipulating human flesh.

Answer 10

Because some people believe
that life begins at the moment
of conception. Taking a life is
wrong to them. Then there are
the really ignorant ones, that
believe doctors are hacking
up babies with a kitchen knife.
The truth is , It's just a few cells
in a glass dish. But it has the
potential to help millions.