Should we support research?
Addressing human embryo stem cell research

Embryonic stem cell research is one of the most controversial issues of the day. Some believe stem cells from human embryos are human enough for research, but not human enough to join the human family. This logic defies the reality that life begins at conception.

Q: Stem cells aren't alive, right? If stem cells possess life-saving possibilities, why shouldn't they be used for research?

A: A living human embryo must be destroyed in order to obtain embryonic stem cells. Every time embryonic stem cells are extracted from a human embryo, a unique individual is destroyed. The removed stem cells would have developed into the child's heart, kidneys and all of the 210 different kinds of tissue found in the human body .

Q: Is it true that stem cells are just taken from frozen fertilized eggs?

A: No, the unborn child must be more than a fertilized egg before stem cells are able to be extracted from her. A fertilized egg is the term used to describe a one-cell human in its first day of development. A fertilized egg does not have any stem cells to extract because it is only one cell. Embryonic stem cells are removed from embryos who are around a week old. These embryos are called blastocysts and they number several hundred cells.

Q: Does an embryo look human?

A: Yes, it does look human. An embryo looks exactly like every human looked during this stage of development. Every human looked the same shortly after conception. Just because people aren't as familiar with this stage of development doesn't mean that an embryo isn't human and doesn't look like a human.

Q: Won't all of these embryos just be destroyed anyway, so why shouldn't they be used for helpful research?

A: Embryonic research advocates act like all of the embryos in fertility clinics that aren't used will be thrown away. This, however, is simply not the case. The parents generally have at least two other options. First, preserve the embryos for possible future use (chosen by about 90%). Two, donate the embryos to another couple so they can have a child. Even if the embryos are going to be destroyed, that doesn't mean that society has the right to experiment with their bodies.

Q: Are embryos the only place that we can find stem cells?

A: There are many life-affirming alternatives to stem cells taken from destroyed embryos. Adult stem cells and umbilical cord stem cells offer great hope.

Q: Haven't embryonic stem cells helped people already?

A: Actually, embryonic stem cells have probably done more damage than help to humans. The whole argument behind research on embryonic stem cells is based on potential cures not current cures.

 

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