1. Running Head: THE USE OF EMBRYONIC STEM CELLS 1
The Use of Embryonic Stem Cells
Bettina Mae De Mesa
California State University, Fullerton
Author Note:
This paper was prepared for English 301, taught by Dr. Ochoa

2. THE USE OF EMBRYONIC STEM CELLS 2
Abstract
Embryonic stem cells possess the potential to cure diseases like Parkinson’s and Huntington’s.
Even with the listed benefits of research, it is the moral implications of destroying embryos
during the extraction of cells which cause much controversy in society. Anti-stem cell research
activists cite the moral implications, questionable validity of experimental trials and extensive
federal funding to combat stem cell research. However, scientists have found that the successes
in their clinical trials and the unparalleled potential for these stem cells to cure diseases is reason
enough to continue research. This paper examines the benefits and problems that come with the
extraction of embryonic stem cells.
Keywords: embryonic stem cells, pluripotentency, in-vitro fertilization, stem cell
extraction, blastocyst

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The Use of Embryonic Stem Cells
In 1981, Cambridge University researchers Martin Evans and Matthew Kaufman
developed the foundation for stem cell research by successfully deriving the first batch of
embryonic stem cells from two sets of mouse embryos. Ever since the first extraction of
embryonic stem cells, skepticism over its practicality provides the perfect tinder for discussion.
The controversy mainly stems from a moral divide, which includes arguments from ethical,
financial, and political standpoints. The dispute centers on the concept of whether or not the
potential of embryonic stem cells to treat illnesses like Parkinson’s can quantify the killing of
another human being. The responsible use of stem cells to advance medical practices should be
conducted regardless of the short-term implications. The unparalleled potential to cure diseases
and prolong the longevity of multiple individual’s lives justifies the religiously inspired moral
dilemma and the socio-economic costs which come with it.
In order to gain a thorough understanding of the controversy, knowledge regarding the
different types, characteristics and potential benefits of stem cells needs to be known. The
importance of stem cells lies in their ability to renew indefinitely and differentiate into a variety
of other specialized cells in our body. There are two main types of stem cells, the first of which
are embryonic and the second, adult. Embryonic stem cells possess the special ability to
genetically alter their structure in order to transform into virtually every possible cell type, a
property also known as pluripotency. This ability to transform into any kind of cell indicates the
flexibility and versatility towards their utilization in research. Using these embryonic stem cells
will also allow researchers to gain a deeper understanding over the use of these cells to
implement treatments within “incurable” diseases like Parkinson’s. The other type of stem cells,
adult, also possess the same ability of pluripotency but are limited in range of the different types

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of cells they can differentiate to. The main difference between these two categories of stem cells
is their ability to form into a new cell. Adult stem cells can only transform into cells from which
the sample was originally taken, but embryonic stem cells can transform into any type of cell
imaginable. The advanced pluripotency of the embryonic stem cells are not what stimulate
debate; rather it is the practice of isolating the cells. Robertson (2010) stated that “some stem
cells are obtained from the tissue of aborted fetuses. Most embryonic stem cells to date, however,
are acquired from unused embryos developed from eggs that have been fertilized” (p. 235). It is
the moral issue, of whether or not the start of life begins at conception or development which
causes the most debate.
The most publicized objection towards embryonic stem cell research stems from the
destruction of the embryo from the process of extraction. This concept brings up the ethical
dilemma of whether the destruction of one life quantifies the longevity of another. To the
opponents of stem cell research, the basic argument used is that the embryo is a potential fetus
which is killed; therefore, the research behind it is unethical. However, there are some instances
where the destruction of one life to save another is socially acceptable. As Robertson (1999)
stated, “there is nothing objectionable about transplant surgeons and patients benefiting from the
organs of murder and drunken driving victims” (p. 111). If there are certain circumstances where
researchers use stem cells without the complicit destruction of embryos, then the opponents
should theoretically begin to support the research. According to Lovgren (2006) one study
conducted by Robert Lanza, medical director of Advanced Cell Technology, “showed that it's
possible to remove a single cell from a mouse embryo without destroying the embryo” (p. 2).
Obtaining one embryonic stem cell then allows the researchers to genetically manipulate the cell

5. THE USE OF EMBRYONIC STEM CELLS 5
to grow into a colony. This new technique removes the ethical dilemma of killing an embryo to
obtain cells by preserving the life of a potential fetus while simultaneously gathering the cells.
Opponents of stem cell extraction worry that the animal models used in Lanza’s
experiments will not serve as a passable stand-in for their human equivalents. Animals such as
mice have been used as test subjects in medical research for centuries; unfortunately, the success
of treatments given to animal models does not always translate to humans. Lovgren (2006) stated
that Lanza’s team “experimented with spare human embryos from in vitro fertilization to extract
one cell from each embryo and then grew each cell in a hormone-laden culture” (p. 2). The
findings from the experiment demonstrated that the extraction of one cell preserved the embryo,
but the extraction of multiple cells would result in the destruction of the embryo. Although the
human trials resulted in the destruction of the embryo, the successful extraction of a few cells
show some progress in research. The extracted cells could be used for genetic testing in order to
better the chance of success for the next set of trials.
Proponents of stem cell research may argue that the embryos used in experiments are
willingly donated by couples undergoing in-vitro fertilization (IVF). Human embryos are
discarded everyday in medical clinics if they are deemed “clinically useless.” Harvard Gazette
news reporter, Bess Andrews (2008), showed that “discarded embryos can yield viable stem cell
lines, but the efficiency of creating lines depends on the stage of the embryo’s development” (p.
1). Rather than disposing of the spare embryos, scientists can take advantage of an unfortunate
situation in order to further stem cell research. However, there is moral opposition to this process
which is an accurate reflection on people’s views about abortion. There are some individuals
who believe that an embryo’s potential to develop into a human being automatically gains full
moral status of being a living person. Researcher John Robertson (1999) stated that “individuals

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who hold this view are offended by research with spare IVF embryos as they are with the
creation of embryos solely for research” (p. 117). This exaggerated moral view demonstrates a
lack of understanding regarding the biological definition of a viable fetus. An underdeveloped
blastocyst in the embryo does not constitute as a living human being. Robertson (1999) stated
that “the attribution of moral status rationally depends upon at least the presence of a nervous
system, is not also sentience, and not just its precursor cells” (p. 118). Under this view, the moral
objection of destroying an undeveloped fetus is not viable.
There are debates over the influence of the government regarding the regulation of funds
and use of stem cells. Although there is no federal law which explicitly bans stem cell research,
there is legislation which places restrictions on funding. Proponents of stem cell research may
argue that constant regulation impedes the progress of the scientific community in their quest to
gain more knowledge about embryonic stem cells. The research for stem cells is too
underdeveloped for their use to become a marketable product. According to researcher John
Roberton (2010) “private investors cannot capture for themselves alone the benefits of such
investments, they have no incentive to invest to produce that knowledge” (p. 194). The pressure
thus falls to the federal government to provide funding. In 2001, President Bush implemented a
policy to restrict federal funding for research on stem cells on human embryos. Bush cited
morally influenced reasons that such research undervalues human life. A reporter at Time
magazine, Park (2012), stated that “Bush’s policy hampered progress in the field of stem cell
research by depriving it of government funding and drove some of the U.S.’s best scientists to set
up labs abroad” (p. 1). The former president’s decision to regulate the use of stem cells stunted
the growth of the scientific community and their research on embryonic stem cells.

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Opponents worry that the initiatives to provide funding for stem cells are coming at a
high cost. Researchers, Fry-Revere and Elgin (2008), stated that “California’s 2004 stem cell
funding initiative accomplished little at an extremely high cost” (p. 3). The opposition argues
that the funding from federal government can be allocated to other issues, like improvement of
roads, which have an immediate benefit on the voters. However, it is the voters themselves that
vie for the funding of stem cells. A recent poll done by U.S. News reporter, Amanda Gardner
(2015), stated that
Almost three-quarters of the adults surveyed believe that scientists should be allowed to
use embryonic stem cells left over from in vitro fertilization procedures to search for
potential treatments or ways to prevent diseases such as Parkinson's
disease, Alzheimer's, diabetes and other conditions. Only 12 percent oppose using stem
cells for biomedical research, numbers that mirror those from a similar poll conducted in
2005. (p. 1)
The statistics from the poll indicate that the majority of the U.S. population believe in the use of
stem cell research, while only a small sample oppose it. It is the voter’s affinity for the funding
of stem cells which causes the most influence on the political figures that control the passing of
legislation.
The use of embryonic stem cells brings up questions of ethics and morality. Opponents of
the research are religiously influenced to naturally oppose the issue while supporters look with
hope that the research will develop lifesaving cures. The moral implications are superseded by
the willingness of the American public to allow funding for research and the biological definition

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of a living being. The responsible use of stem cells justify that research should be continued in
order to reap the potential benefits and save numerous lives from the susceptibility of disease.
.

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References
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