Genetic Experimentation and Development, Essay Example

Genetic experimentation and development is one of the most controversial topics of today’s society. Many believe there are extreme benefits that allow for some of the best things to happen in our world today. Others believe that it is morally wrong and that it should not be done, no matter what the results may be due to genetic experimentation and development. This is a really tough topic as many doctors and activists for it have shown a lot of improvements in the process and have given much of the public hope for the cure for certain diseases, the health of many Americans, and the idea that we could have something great on our hands. When thinking of such a controversial issue, I believe it is important to get all of the facts before making such a strong inclination to agree or disagree with the procedures. As I have done the research, I believe that genetic experimentation and development should be allowed as long as these experiments are being done in order to help others. What I mean by helping others includes cures for such diseases as AIDS, cancer, and any other disease that is life threatening, finding ways in which to help individuals live longer if they are suffering from an incurable disease, and finding ways in which to keep our society healthier. Helping others (to me) does not mean cloning a child or other human being for the sake of having another of them around in order to replace one that may die or for any other reason for that matter. Too many parents want to do this these days. They want to clone their children or they want to use IVF in order to have another child to save the other from a disease. This is not moral to me. I understand that it is very difficult to lose a child or a loved one; however, this is a part of life. This happens for a reason and I do not believe that we, as humans, have the right to change God’s plans in this aspect. Using genetic experimentation to cure diseases and help individuals live longer, healthier lives is the only way in which I believe that it should be allowed.

Stem cell research is one of the greatest medical technologies in this century. However, it is important to understand stem cells, their functions, and how they can be helpful to individuals with diseases. It is first important to understand what our stem cells do and what they are. These are the cells that make up our bodies. “They constantly reproduce (regenerate) within the body and can differentiate into other cells, hence being known as stem cells…they can grow and develop into skin, nerve cells, organs, and much more” (Ritz, 5). There are two types of stem cells: embryonic and adult. Ritz states:

Embryonic stem cells have greater possibilities of repairing damaged human bodies because of their ability to be turned into any cell types, but their use can cause ethical issues in how they are obtained (5).

The ethical issues will be discussed a little later. However, adult stem cells are just as usable as embryonic stem cells. These are mature and are able to take on certain human functions such as “regenerating muscles or repairing damaged organs” (Ritz, 5). It is known by many medical staff and researchers that the adult stem cells can assist in advancing the healing of broken bones or replacing skin damaged from burns, and those taken from bone marrow are now being used to treat leukemia (Ritz, 5).

As stated earlier, I believe that stem cell research should be done if it is going to benefit patients and if it could possibly find cures for diseases. The use of stem cells and its research has come a very long way and can do many wonderful things for individuals who are suffering from some of the worst diseases. It is important to continue stem cell research so that these diseases can possibly have a cure one day; however, it should never be condoned if it is just being used for fun and games. According to Ritz, “medical scientists and researchers are trying to better understand cell development in hopes of using our own cells to recreate tissues and organs that can be used to grow new organs and tissues if these become damaged” (5). “This growth from cells is planned to be used for correcting abnormalities as our bodies wear from use, age, disease, and viruses” (Ritz, 5). Stem cell research is very promising and could help fix many medical disorders within the next 5 to 20 years. “Areas to be reviewed related to the treatment of diseases and disorders include the nervous system, blood and heart disorders, bone injuries and diseases, organ repair, and skin replacement” (Ritz, 5-6). According to an article entitled “Stem Cell Research May Lead to Treatment for Cerebral Palsy,” “treatments for cerebral palsy may improve over the next decade as a result of stem cell and genetic research” (7). This is an amazing thing and the research should continue in order to help improve this disease. Other disease that could benefit from stem cell research include blood and heart disorders, broken bones, arthritis, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, spinal cord injuries, and so much more. “Researchers have found that adult stem cells can be injected into the heart muscles to improve the damaged heart” (Ritz, 6). Finally, one of the biggest benefits of stem cell research and the use of the cells to help improve health is in reference to organ replacement. John Ritz states:

Organ replacement can happen through donor transplants. It is very difficult to obtain organs of others to transplant and also difficult to find those with close enough genetic make-ups to transplant. Today much research is being undertaken to grow new organs using the recipient’s own stem cells. Manufactured scaffolds (structures) are being computer designed that will match the size of the organ needed. The patient’s stem cells are grafted onto the scaffold and grown either in a laboratory environment or on the human’s exterior. When they mature enough, they are transplanted into the humans (6).

This is amazing and would help so many people that are actually put on waiting lists for transplants. These individuals would not have to wait long for a transplant if this stem cell research would work. It is important to make medical history and do things such as this in order to help save lives and this should be the only time in which it is allowed.

The cloning of human beings should not be allowed under any circumstances as this provides for much controversy throughout the United States. One ethical issue is whether individuals could be cloned without their knowledge or consent. This is something that many who are against the cloning of individuals are concerned with as they do not believe that all individuals would know if they are were being the object of a cloned human being (Choi, 37). According to Loane Skene, “human reproductive cloning (cloning to breed identical people) is commonly considered an activity of such concern that it should always be banned, either on moral grounds or to protect the welfare of the child to be born” (233-234). Many states do not have federal laws that ban human cloning; however, there are no federal funds for research into human cloning (Skene, 235). The controversy is not the only reason in which human beings should not be cloned, however. There are still many risks and many problems in the cloning of human beings. According to Charles Choi, “scientists generate clones by replacing the nucleus of an egg with that from another individual. They have cloned human embryos, but none has yet successfully grown past the early stage where they are solid balls of cells known as morulas” (37). Robert Lanza of Advanced Cell Technology in Worcester, Massachusetts states that “whenever you clone a new species, there’s a learning curve, and with humans it’s a serious challenge getting enough good-quality egg cells to learn with” (Choi, 37). There are specific steps that are especially tricky in the cloning of a human being. These steps include “the correct timing and mix of chemicals to properly reprogram the cell” (Choi, 37). Finally, Choi states:

Even with practiced efforts, some 25 percent of cloned animals have overt problems. Lanza notes – minor slips during reprogramming, culturing or handling of the embryos can lead to developmental errors. Attempting to clone a human would be so risky, Lanza says, it “would be like sending a baby up into space in a rocket that has a 50-50 chance of blowing up” (37).

It is clear why many do not believe in the cloning of human beings after looking at the research. It has not been perfected and there is still so much that could go wrong. Is it worth taking the chance and hurting someone? The only way in which this could be positive is if it would help someone in the long run. Skene states that “if it could be established that the procedure is safe for the child to be born from it, then the ethical objections might be challenged” (236). However, this form of technology makes it possible for an infertile person to have a child that is genetically related to them. There are advantages and disadvantages to human cloning just as there is everything else in life. It is understandable that this is what doctors and scientists are trying to do; however, as of right now, it has not done anything but hurt. Creation of human life in the laboratory is not something that should be allowed just because there are individuals who want to have the perfect child or want another child so that they can save one child from disease. I do believe that IVF is a suitable creation of human life in the laboratory as many individuals are not able to have children due to infertility and many other causes. These individuals should be allowed to have families if they so want, but it is important for them to understand all of the facts before agreeing to it. Creation of human life in the laboratory can be beneficial in many ways just as stem cell search. However, I do not believe that it should be done unless there is a specific way in which it will help individuals become healthier.

Much of this can be very helpful to individuals who are suffering from some of the worst diseases and this is why I can agree to it in order to help those people. However, there are many individuals who will not ever agree to stem cell research, human cloning or the creation of human life in the laboratory due to ethical issues. Ethical issues seem to be the biggest obstacle for scientists and researchers who want to continue their research and make it worthwhile. According to Ritz, “much of the controversy comes from the potential use of embryonic stem cells” (7). This is due to the argument in which many debate on a normal basis: when human life actually begins. “Some believe that life begins when a human egg is fertilized. Others believe life begins when the child is fully formed and birth occurs” (Ritz, 7). Due to this, many believe that using embryonic stem cells for stem cell research is unethical depending on what their actual beliefs are in reference to the time in which human life begins. According to Ritz, “embryonic stem cells are the cells that form between 5 and 6 days after the egg is fertilized. So to get them, you need to use fertilized eggs” (7). Since these cells are only 5 to 6 days old, many believe that using a fertilized egg means that the researcher, doctor, or scientist is destroying life and this is what many believe makes this unethical (Ritz, 7-8). It is very easy to see how many can believe this. If a person destroys a life to save another, we are still hurting someone. Therefore, I would stand by the individuals who believe that this is unethical. However, again, this is a very controversial issue and there are a lot of important facts to take into account. Ritz states that researchers are now figuring out how to create embryonic cells without having to use fertilized eggs (8). If this is possible, there should be no reason that they should be denied the attempt to make something wonderful out of it. One final ethical issue is “determining if people or companies should be able to profit through patents they develop to enable these procedures to become possible” (Ritz, 8). As of right now, the United States allows for these to be patented so that companies can continue their research. This is the only way in which it would be possible to continue the research due to the fact that federal funds are not provided. I agree that this should be allowed due to the fact that, without this research, there would not be any type of cure being sought for all of these horrible diseases. Yet, it is important that these researchers use the funds for the right purposes.

In conclusion, I feel that genetic experimentation and development should be allowed to an extent. In order for this to be allowed, I think that it is important to specify that it should only be allowed if it is making an attempt to help individuals live a happier, healthier life. There are many individuals that are suffering from some of the worst illnesses and if genetic experimentation and development can alleviate some of the symptoms, provide a longer life, or even cure the disease, then the development should be allowed. However, I have to emphasize that my view on this fluctuates with the intentions of the researchers and how they perform these tasks. They must have the intentions to help others rather than to benefit for themselves. This should be a selfless production in order to provide a better quality of life for the many Americans that suffer from some of the worst diseases and the most difficult injuries. If it can help them and they can live longer, healthier lives due to this genetic experimentation and development, then I believe that it is worth trying and worth some sort of recognition. Ritz states “with advancements in stem cell research and development, tissue engineering, or regenerative medicine, many ailments are finding techniques for improvement” (9). This is exactly what many want to see happen so that their loved ones can get better. However, in order for this to continue, more and more people need to jump on the bandwagon and realize that that is exactly what these researchers are trying to do. The more the people understand about the process, the easier it will be for them to accept it. Or will it?

Works Cited

Choi, Charles. “Cloning of a Human.” Scientific American. 302.6 (2010): 36-38. Web. 26 Jul. 2012.

Ritz, John. “Magic from Human Regenerative Technologies – Stem Cells.” Resources in Technology and Engineering. (2012): 4-9. Web. 26 Jul. 2012.

Skene, Loane. “Recent Developments in stem Cell Research: Social, Ethical, and Legal Issues for the Future.” Indiana Journal of Global Legal Studies. 17.2 (2010): 211-244. Web. 26 Jul. 2012.

“Stem Cell Research May Lead to Treatment for Cerebral Palsy.” Developmental Disabilities Nursing Association. 15.5 (2012): 7. Web. 26 Jul. 2012.