Stem Cell Research is a term full of controversies. At some point in life, we all must have wondered what a stem cell is, why there are so many controversies associated with them, and so on.
We must have wondered about it when we see the advertisement featuring the gorgeous Aishwarya Rai Bachchan saying, “Dijiye apne bachche ko zindagi bhar ka tohfa.”
This article features the pros of stem cell research1 and will try to transform people’s mentality to praise and adopt this research and help save the lives of their near and dear ones.
Meaning of Stem Cell Research
Let’s start with the meaning of stem cell research!
The formal definition of a stem cell as given by the scientists is:
“A TSC is an undifferentiated cell, capable of proliferation, self-renewal, production of a large number of differentiated functional progeny, regenerating tissue after injury, and flexibility in the use of these options.”
The basic theme of stem cell is to rejuvenate the power of creating new cells for particular organs. Stem cells are basically found at the umbilical cord2, the mother and fetus’s attachment point. The idea is to give those cells at the time of birth and preserve them for the future to make a person healthy.
This research is not new, and in fact, it’s been observed that they have been practiced since 1998.
1. Debate on Stem Cell Research
You might wonder why there is a debate on the use of this method? It’s because there are certain ethical dilemmas related to this.
The debate is mainly concerned with embryonic stem cells. This research’s counterparts say that there is a destruction of embryos during this research, which is ethically incorrect for the human race.
2. Religious Perspective
Another argument commonly made by religious perspective is that they believe that God has a plan for every one sent to Earth.
A plan developed from the time these embryos are formed in a mother’s womb interruption would be equivalent to insulting him. They want things to be following the natural cycle of life3 and death.
4. Expert’s Perspective
Some experts oppose it because we have already exceeded the limit to which mother earth can feed us; the implementation of this kind of research may lead to an extensive scarcity of resources.
I do admit the fact that the cons have their own perspective, which may or may not be right, but at the end of the day, it is all about the family or the loved ones who are actually bringing forth the eternal happiness4 and the curve on our face which we call “smile.”
So, look at the brighter side of life and be happy with all those dear people who were always there and will always stand by your side and support life.
- Bongso, Ariff, and Mark Richards. “History and perspective of stem cell research.” Best practice & research Clinical obstetrics & gynaecology 18.6 (2004): 827-842. ↩︎
- Weiss, Mark L., and Deryl L. Troyer. “Stem cells in the umbilical cord.” Stem cell reviews 2 (2006): 155-162. ↩︎
- Chau, Chi Kwan, T. M. Leung, and W. Y. Ng. “A review on life cycle assessment, life cycle energy assessment and life cycle carbon emissions assessment on buildings.” Applied energy 143 (2015): 395-413. ↩︎
- Fremstedal, Roe, and Timothy P. Jackson. “Salvation/Eternal Happiness.” Volume 15, Tome VI: Kierkegaard’s Concepts. Routledge, 2016. 19-26. ↩︎
Last Updated on by NamitaSoren