The Pros For Embryonic Stem Cells
As the name suggests, embryonic stem cells come from embryos or unborn babies in the mother's womb. Specifically, these stem cells originate from embryos whose eggs have been fertilized in an in vitro fertilization clinic and not from the fertilized egg inside a woman's body. These human embryonic stem cells, which are normally only four or five days old, are donated for the purpose of research with proper informed consent of the donor.
Diseases that can be treated
According to the studies of most scientists and researchers, among the pros for embryonic stem cells is their potential capability to treat cancer, diabetes, spinal cord injuries, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis, heart diseases, immune system disorders, and genetic illnesses just to mention a few. Because of continuous research and tests, scientists have observed the almost infinite advantages of embryonic stem cells from understanding the human development to the growth and cure of infectious diseases.
Over 100 million Americans experience different disorders and illnesses that can actually be more successfully cured with embryonic stem cell therapy. Some researchers even consider this as the greatest potential for the improvement and remedy of human suffering since the dawn of antibiotics. The scientists and researchers who have conducted several studies regarding the embryonic stem cell therapy and the individuals who support the research and procedure believe that the diseases that stem cells treat include cancer, leukemia, spinal cord injuries, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, scleroderma, Parkinson's disease, and Alzheimer's disease.
For drug testing and screening
Another pro for human embryonic stem cells is their use in testing and screening new drugs. As the National Institutes of Health (NIH) says, “To screen drugs effectively, the conditions must be identical when comparing different drugs. Therefore, scientists will have to be able to precisely control the differentiation of stem cells into the specific cell type on which drugs will be tested. Current knowledge of the signals controlling differentiation falls well short of being able to mimic these conditions precisely to consistently have identical differentiated cells for each drug being tested.”
The necessity of transplanting organs and tissues in the human body exceeds the available supply. Stem cells that lead to the development of various specific cell types offer the option of a renewable source of replacement cells, tissues, and organs to cure many diseases.
Although there are a number of pros for embryonic stem cells, this issue is continuously being debated on by many institutions in the society because of the procedure on how they are obtained. The Catholic Church does not agree with this procedure. It even insists on the prohibition of this medical breakthrough. However, many pro-life believers suggest that the proper ethical and religious course of action is saving human lives through the embryonic stem cell therapy.