Is Stem Cell Research Ethical?

Embryonic Stem Cells

What are stem cells?

Research into stem cells is pretty recent, however stem cells have always existed. They are able to grow into any 300 cell types in the body.
So you must be thinking great right? However, there has been a prolonged debate about using stem cells as the best stem cells come from embroys. They can also be found in adults and children - bone marrow.

The use?

Stem cells can grow into any kinds of cells so its possible to produce tissue and organs from your own stem cells! Stem cells can help treat disease's such as Alzheimers and Parkinson's. And best of all, there is no rejection.

Ethical Issues?

Many people are against the use of stem cells because in order to obtain the stem cells, embroys must be destoryed. So anti abortion and religious groups oppose the use of stem cells.
The Coalition of Americans for Research Ethics argues the case like this: "The destruction of human embryonic life is unnecessary for medical progress, as alternative methods of obtaining human stem cells and of repairing and regenerating human tissue exist and continue to be developed."

But what if someones life is at risk and the only hope they have is through stem cell research? As you can see its complicated!

In my opinion, I think stem cell research is valuable, and there are other ways of obtaining stem cells rather than destroying the embroys, e.g. using stem cells from the umbilical cord which wouldn't create ethical issues. Its really interesting to see how people feel about this research and if this reseach is needed for further progress in medicine. What are your opinions on this topic? Feel free to post a comment below!

Links!
http://www.aish.com/ci/sam/48969936.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2001/aug/10/qanda.stemcells