Embryonic stem cell research is an issue centered around the value of an embryo. Many people believe it is a life, has worth, and deserves a chance because it is more than a bundle of cells. Arguably, harvesting an embryo at the blastocyst stage does not violate our sacred moral code, because …show more content…
Although there is potential for growth and maturation, the harvesting begins too early in the development of an embryo and “the fertilized egg has no beating heart, no brain, and no consciousness. It is not aware, it cannot think, and it cannot sense anything, including pleasure or pain” (Eveloce). The absence of both a heart and a brain in the developing cells, produces an unsuitable candidate for being defined as a human life. For example, when a person becomes “brain dead,” and supportive devices are the only tools sustaining their body and preserving their life, the family has the choice of terminating their life because, arguably, without brain function there is no life. It is evident that this essential bodily function is exceedingly important, the vital neurological advances begins as “ a child's brain undergoes an amazing period of development from birth to three—producing more than a million neural connections each second” (Zerotothree). Without neural connections, one is not able to be highly functioning, form meaningful relationships, and interact to new stimuli in their environment. Ultimately, brain development and function largely influence an entity’s status of life, without it, there are limited possibilities of maintaining a fulfilling and significant existence- you are no longer considered alive because you do not possess …show more content…
As a result of their remarkable abilities, “their role in regeneration is the subject of extensive research”, regardless of the research’s flaws (Hay). Continuing learning more about stem cells is the only thing that can guarantee better, more efficient result because, after all, it does more good than it does evil. If the use of embryonic stem cells were unethical, there would not be any research conducted. Not only does it follow ethical guidelines, many scientists have teamed up with advocates such as ethicists and lawyers to develop and abide by extremely strict and regulated rules, in order to practice the most ethical and safe methods possible. Most importantly, stem cells are a crucial component for our future health field and the ethicality of the issue should not interfere with the potential benefits, especially because of all the special circumstances taken to reassure the most ethical standards are being