Legal Precedents Related To Stem Cell Research

Stem Cell Research
Name
Institutional Affiliation
Stem Cell Research
Introduction
Stem cells are unspecialized cells sourced from different sources such as embryos, bone marrow, umbilical cord blood, as well as several other embryonic tissues. Each stem cell illustrates the capacity to renew itself. These cells undergo differentiation to become specialized cells, for instance, those creating muscle cells, blood and brain cells. Under proper conditions, stem cell research involves focusing stem cells to create the highly specialized cells for body tissues and organs. Therefore, stem cells are best to utilize in drug developments plus a hypothetically valuable basis for replacement cells for an array of diseases, such as diabetes, Alzheimer’s and several others (NIH, 2015).
Scientists conduct study on stem cells because human bodies utilize tissue stem cells as a replacement for worn out or damaged tissues. This repair technique is so effective that it happens daily; nonetheless, where the damage is widespread, this repair operation may fail (Barfoot et al, n.d). In addition, not all cells in the body, for instance, brain cells, can repair themselves successfully, and most degenerative conditions are still not treatable through modern medicine. Organ transplant such as heart is an option, however it depends on several sources of transplant organs, most of which are in little quantity. Over the past years, research on stem cell has attained more attention due to its capability to bridge the gap in human medical therapies for conditions such heart disease, cancer, diabetes and others (Barfoot et al, n.d). The different kinds of stem cells that scientists use include induced pluripotent stem cells and tissue stem cells. This paper explores the legal precedents and various ethical viewpoints related to stem cell research and broadly discusses why even though it is useful why it is not ethical.
Legal precedents related to stem cell research
The law plays a crucial role in handling social and legal issues brought by stem cell research. Questions arise on this topic such as whether the research should be completely banned, permit it or try to control it. Moreover, there is the question of what might occur globally when various nations, cultures or individual have different viewpoints towards the controversial topic of stem cell research. In this topic, both the national and international the law serves different roles that help direct the society for the positive outcome. Scientists who want to conduct stem cell research, such as embryo research, have to make applications to relevant authorities. Barfoot et al, (n.d) assert that in some countries such as the United Kingdom; allow embryos to be utilized scientific study of human diseases and fertility treatment. However, no embryo may be stored or used after 2 weeks of its growth. However, it is possible to obtain permission to make embryos exclusively for the need for medical research such as to create embryonic stem cell lines. Therefore, the UK established a balanced attitude that entails a framework that safeguards the embryo as a mortal organism while allowing research under firm controls.
On the other hand, in some countries money is what determines the re...