Research PaperHuman embryonic stem cell research has emerged in modern science as a breakthrough in the development of mankind. First created in 1998 by James Thomson, these cells are pluripotent, meaning that they have the ability to replicate themselves indefinitely into any cell within the human body (Kollmann). These cells have been seen as an opening for greater exploration and discovery in medical drugs and transplantation medicine. However, ever since its discovery, the implementation of these cells in the fields of science and medicine as received extreme backlash due to their derivation. Many have been quick to strike down its conception as it does involve the destruction of the human embryo, a point of contention for many groups, especially pro-life advocates and conservative groups. Nevertheless, human embryonic stem cells have been seen as a radical breakthrough in saving the lives of millions. Despite the ethical controversies that surround it, human embryonic stem cell research should be further incorporated in the fields of science as it has proven to have the potential of providing a better understanding of the human anatomy, it is useful in finding treatments and cures for a wide variety of diseases, and with the proper restrictions, it can utilized to satisfy both sides of this controversial topic.One of the most prolific reasons as to why embryonic stem cells should be implemented is the fact that these cells have the can potentially treat an infinite number of diseases via cell transplantation. Embryonic stem cells are derived from the inner cell mass of a pre-implantation human embryo (typically five-nine days old) known as the blastocyst (Yu). The stem cells are unique due to two of their characteristics: the ability to differentiate infinitely as well as the idea of being pluripotent. These abilities can serve as a path to an unlimited amount of tissue for transplantation therapies to treat a wide range of debilitating ailments. Many diseases that are caused by the dysfunction or damage of one or a couple cell types, which is common in many degenerative diseases such as the dopaminergic neurons in Parkinson’s (Yu). However, due to their ability to replicate to any cell that they are programmed to, embryonic stem cells have been viewed as a greater alternative for assuaging these life-threatening diseases. This has been welcomed with open arms by many organizations, one of the most prominent being the Michael J Fox Institute, a well-known advocate for the treatment of Parkinson’s (Gilbert). Embryonic stem cell research has begun to be utilized in the development of new cell models of Parkinson’s disease, due to the fact that there is a lack of accurate models of Parkinson’s, hindering the development of treatments. Cell models of Parkinson’s disease generated from these pluripotent cells can prove critical in medicating patients effectively and exploring neurological models of Parkinson’s. Human embryonic stem cells have also proved to have the capabilities in reducing the suffering of patients who are plagued by cardiovascular disease. Cardiovascular disease has claimed the lives of over 17 million individuals each year, with congestive heart failure one of the most prominent cases. The critical loss of functional cardiomyocytes (cardiac muscle cells) causes severe deterioration of pump function, resulting in heart failure (Zhu). Repairing damaged cardiac tissue is a challenge in curing many of the cardiovascular diseases that plague the world. However, embryonic stem cells have proven to have the and promise as a possible model for human cardiac development and a cell source for cell-based cardiac repair. The article “Human Embryonic Stem Cells and Cardiac Repair” discusses multiple experiments that have been conducted utilizing rodents as the test group. Based upon these experiments, Wei-Zhong Zhu and the other scientists concluded that the rodent infarct models indicate that they can partially muscularized injured hearts and improve contractile function. Overall, embryonic stem cells consist of the characteristics that scientists need to administer the treatment of diseases such as Parkinson’s and cardiovascular disease via transplantation methods. Human embryonic stem cells should also be implanted as it defies the ethical idea that patients should not be denied the best available medicine that it is available to them. Although this idea may seem arbitrary in the large scheme of the topic of embryonic stem cell research, it does provide a solid basis in supporting the claim of increased funding and implementation. Many have used the Due Process Clause of Amendment V of the United States Constitution and the idea of “right to life” as the basis upon which these cells should be implemented. According to Professor Volokh’s medical defense theory, one should have the ability to use medical means to defend oneself against lethal medical threats such as cancer or organ failure (Hicks). Under this theory, human embryonic stem cells can apply the right of access to these cells is one that should be protected under the ethical idea of having access to the treatment. Embryonic stem cells present a radical solution to multiple diseases that thousands must suffer through. A patient should have the right to utilize embryonic stem cells as a gateway for alleviating suffering from lethal medical threats such as Parkinson’s Disease or cardiovascular disease. Restrictions on research therefore infringe on a patient’s right of access to embryonic stem cell research. This idea, however, should not be thrown out of proportion, limited to terminally ill patients (Hicks).Despite the numerous benefits that embryonic stem cells bring to the fields of science, it has experienced strong backlash from many organizations due to the way these cells are derived. As stated earlier, human embryonic stem cells are derived from a pre-implantation embryo, and many believe that this embryo has the moral status of a human being and should be treated with that same regard from the moment of creation. Maite S. Kollmann explains in her journal entry in the Faulkner Law Review, “It is most important to understand that the embryo deserves full human dignity from day one of conception onward. Based on this understanding, hESC research is undesirable at best.” Groups, most prominently the Catholic Church and pro-life groups, have been quick to condemn this practice as human embryos should be considered with the equal sense of humanity of any living creature; just because an embryo at one week is not physically and psychologically important as one that is nine months old, doesn’t mean that it should not be treated with the same respect. Although opponents do bring up a strong argument, it is crucial to note that advances over the past decade in this promising scientific field have been encouraging, which a general consensus throughout the fields of science that these cells have proven to show promise and further supported by federal funds. The potential human embryonic stem cells bring in alleviating suffering and helping provide scientists across the globe with a furthered understanding of the human anatomy. Studying how stem cells develop into specific germ cells within the human body can be crucial in understanding how to alleviate many cancers or how to induce heart muscle repair to repair itself after a cardiovascular attack (Whu). The cells could be used to study the biological systems of many diseases that affects millions across the globe, helping to screen medicinal drugs, developing treatments etc. Rather than completely writing off the utilization of embryonic stem cell research, there should be options that allow scientists to have greater access to these cell lines via certain restrictions or alternative solutions. For instance, until a more ethical way to extract embryonic stem cells can be utilized, we should increase funding and usage for adult stem cells. Although they do not present the immense capabilities of human embryonic stem cells, adult stem cells are thought to be limited to differentiating into different cell types based upon their tissue of origin (Yu).In summation, human embryonic stem cell research should be furthered explored and implemented into the fields of medicine and science, as they have proven to be crucial in providing a stronger understanding of the biology of the human being, revolutionizing the way drugs are developed and screened, as well as potentially essentially in transplantation treatments. While adult stem cells do offer a temporary solution in the fields of stem cell research, embryonic stem cells, with their pluripotent capabilities and ability to differentiate infinitely, holds great value in furthering understanding the fundamentals of humanity. Nevertheless, differing views of the status of a human embryo at the stage of conception often hinders the expansion of this field of science, with the underlying question being asked: do the ends justify the means?Works CitedGilbert, Rebecca. “Understanding Stem Cell Therapy in Parkinson’s Disease Treatment.” APDA, 20 June 2018, www.apdaparkinson.org/article/understanding-stem-cell-therapy-in-parkinsons-disease-treatment/.Hicks, Kristin M. “Embryonic stem cell research and the theory of medical self-defense.” Harvard Journal of Law & Technology, Spring 2008, p. 547+. Academic OneFile, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A197362715/AONE?u=lincclin_bwcc&sid=AONE&xid=9f4a8634.Kollmann, Maite S. “Taking the moral high road: why embryonic stem cell research should be strictly regulated.” Faulkner Law Review, vol. 2, no. 1, 2010, p. 145+. Academic OneFile http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A249957624/AONE?u=lincclin_bwcc&sid=AONE&xid=7aa5501d.Yu, Junying, and James A. Thomson. “Embryonic Stem Cells.” National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, stemcells.nih.gov/info/Regenerative_Medicine/2006Chapter1.htm.Zhu, Wei-Zhong, et al. “Human Embryonic Stem Cells and Cardiac Repair.” Transplantation Reviews (Orlando, Fla.), U.S. National Library of Medicine, Jan. 2009, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2607193/.Get Help With Your EssayIf you need assistance with writing your essay, our professional essay writing service is here to help!Find out more