Guide To Understanding Stem Cells

Stem Cell Controversy

From the time stem cells were first brought to the public eye in the late 1990s, the use of stem cells for medical research has been surrounded by controversy. Because stem cells were being taken from human embryos to perform research, conflict arose because this required the destruction of an embryo. As the population has widely differing beliefs surrounding what they consider to be the start of human life, the destruction of embryos for medical research purposes has created complex issues. Some individuals feel human life begins at birth, while others believe human life begins at the moment of conception. Many individuals believe human life begins at a point somewhere between conception and birth. Because legislation determines what funds are used for research, the study of stem cells from embryos has become a major political issue and argument. The discovery and use of adult pluripotent stem cells have helped alleviate some tension regarding this subject, but moral and ethical conflict still surrounds stem cell research.