| Though scientists have known about stem cells since | | | | research comes in, because it has the capability to |
| the early 1900s, it wasn't until the 1960s that stem cells' | | | | generate disease-free tissue. Parkinson's is just one of |
| regenerative capabilities were observed. In 1998, a | | | | many diseases poised to benefit from stem cell |
| watershed moment occurred when scientist James | | | | treatment. |
| Thomson successfully removed stem cells from | | | | Demerits |
| unwanted embryos at a fertility clinic and harvested its | | | | The opponents of human embryonic stem cell |
| cells in a laboratory. With that moment, stem cell | | | | research reacted by pointing out that the considerable |
| research gathered speed. | | | | ethical problem is the source of those stem cells. That |
| Advantages | | | | living human embryos as the most vulnerable human |
| Stem cells can be engineered to replicate various | | | | beings are set to be destroyed while taking those |
| specialized cells---those in the brain, liver and skin---and | | | | stem cells out of their bodies for research. |
| have the potential to treat vast numbers of illnesses. | | | | That it is never acceptable in the field of ethics to kill |
| There is a strong likelihood that stem cells can | | | | any innocent human being intentionally even if it |
| generate healthy organs in a laboratory, to be | | | | promises benefit to the majority. It is said to be |
| transplanted into people needing them. | | | | tantamount to reducing these fetuses and embryos to |
| Stem cell research is especially exciting because it | | | | mere objects for others' use, instead of subjects with |
| gives new hope to people who have terminal or | | | | inherent rights that must be given equal protection. |
| incurable conditions. For instance, while Parkinson's | | | | However, in spite of the above merits and demerits, |
| patients take drugs that slow or lessen their | | | | scientists are continuously working on stem cell |
| symptoms, the drugs are incapable of curing the | | | | research, in order to save the lives of millions of |
| diseased tissue in the brain. This is where stem cell | | | | people. |