Conservative Student News

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Stem cell research: There is currently a considerable amount of debate over the ethical implications of this scientific study. How do you feel about stem cell research, in particular, embryonic stem cell research?

Those opposed to the Embryonic Stem Cell Research (ESCR) campaign have been accused of being “against stem cell research” and are said to “criminalize the science” that could produce cures. However, the ESCR supporters are quite short-sighted in their accusations, for those candidates and individuals who are against ESCR are NOT against stem cell research.

The media is quick to promote embryonic stem cell research, which scientists have been working with for 20 years and have yet to develop a safe or effective treatment. While there is such a push for embryonic stem cell research, pro-life candidates have tried to persuade the public to see that adult stem cell research is the more ethical and moral route to choose when using human stem cell research.

The media is so quick to brush aside adult stem cell research and many voters do not even know what adult stem cell research is or even that it exists. I plan to outline plainly the main differences between embryonic stem cell research and adult stem cell research.

Embryonic stem cell research is the process in which stem cells are taken from human embryos, killing the embryo in the process. It remains highly questionable whether these stem cells hold the key to any cures. The fact is that no treatments or cures have been found throughout the last 20 years that scientists have been working with them.

ESCR has also caused complex problems, such as tumor formation, tissue rejection, and genetic instability. It is a strain on our economy to be spending billions of dollars for such an unproven and problematic research. If you don’t trust me, start by looking up “embryonic stem cells” on Google, then try looking up “embryonic stem cells cure”. You do end up with results—results from adult stem cells.

Why are we looking so hard to find a cure in something that has repercussions and starts off with the taking of what could have provided a cure to many diseases? These human embryos could have potentially grown into knowledgeable human beings who do not believe it is better to destroy human life or the potential for human life, but in fact, have the ability to cure them otherwise. We are killing cures everyday though and it is legal! Just within the last twenty years, alone, abortion has made it possible for 10 million potential scientists, doctors, and inventors to be killed because that is the better choice.

Adult stem cell research, on the other hand, holds open a window of opportunities. First, there are many sources from which one may attain adult stem cells such as bone marrow, placentas, and umbilical cords. Further, no harm is done in gathering them from donors. Scientists have developed 80 known cures and successful human therapies for conditions such as arthritis, brain cancer, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, leukemia, lupus, lymphoma, and multiple sclerosis.

Now, again you may be asking yourself, why would anyone want to support the experiments of ESCR when there is the wonderful option of adult stem cell research? The truth of the matter lies within the Biotech industry. They have effectively convinced many that ESCR holds the promise to multiple cures. Biotech companies do not profit from adult stem cell therapies, because they use patients’ own cells, which cannot be patented. However, embryonic stem cell lines, which would be manufactured through cloning, can be patented. That translates into big bucks for the biotech firms.

So, don’t let the politicians and celebrities fool you with their sob stories about how pro-life candidates are interfering with the advancement of science and preventing cures from being discovered. Most pro-life candidates are in complete favor of using adult stem cell research. They are opposed to ESCR for the logical reason that no human life is worth being destroyed over “speculative” research that has yet to provide a cure for an older human life.