Biotechnology – the most cutting-edge sciences
With its application in numerous fields, biotechnology has played its role in securing the world each day. Over the years, biotechnology consulting firms have paid more attention to the engineering side, studying their machines to improve their functionality of human life. However, recently, Biotechnology has shown extreme potential in saving human lives by combining with the study of genetics. With Stem Cell research and gene manipulation, the field has demonstrated unparalleled potential gaining the reputation as the most cutting-edge sciences.
Stem cells are the new frontier in medicine
Stems cells possess the power to offer revolutionary results. So far, the extensive study on stem cells has learned out about Embryonic Stem Cells (ESC) and Adult Stem Cells (ASC).
Embryonic Stem Cells are the most powerful due to their ability to fuse with any cell. These cells are found in the embryo and are the originators of every cell in the human body. However, ESCs come with limited life and last for a couple of days. If scientists harness the full functionality of these cells, it will be a medical breakthrough. No disease would be fatal enough since ESCs would regenerate and regrow new tissues and cells, replacing the inoperative ones. However, the controversial and ethical barriers stand in the way of discovering their full potential.
Adult Stem Cells are less controversial but are also powerful in comparison and have limited capabilities. Since these cells cannot be fused into every cell type, scientists are working on ways to make ASCs pluripotent. ASCs are responsible for repairing and maintaining skin and bone cells and can be injected into the human body. However, the possibility of the immune system rejecting these is high.
To avoid the political and religious uproar and side effects of the controversy, scientists have started working on Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSC) research.
Restrictions of Embryonic Cell Research
The main argument that restricts the research of Stem Cell research is based on the fact that embryonic stem cell extraction destroys the embryo. People who are against killing life in the womb consider embryo extraction as the murder of the child, which has led to many arguments and controversies hindering a ton of potential cures. ESC promises the potential to cure many degenerative diseases, including multiple sclerosis, diabetes, etc. But instead of immediately working on ESCs, scientists now have to figure out alternative ways so the political controversies can be put to rest.
The Ethical Debate
So far, we have learned why the extraction of the embryonic cell is considered ethically wrong. While this is one of the morally stretched ideas, the debate on its research, whether it should be pursued or not, depends on specific ideas.
ESCs are obtained via the IVF process (in vitro fertilization). According to many people, this embryonic harvesting is construed as the destruction of human life. The argument prolongs further to make the point that scientists are disrupting the natural order with the use of embryonic stem cells and ‘playing God.’ The idea that loss of natural life is used to create human-made life is acceptable to many religious minds and thus raises unethical concerns.
One of the reasons why the debate on stem cells is considered unethical is that it is closely related to the “human cloning” arguments, which go against nature’s laws. However, ESC research has a much brighter scope if the cells can be obtained without destroying life.
With iPSC research, the ethical sentiments are underlying. Studying the grown human organs to cure human diseases creeps along the lines of human experimentation. While this has caused an uproar in the past, I think we have come a long way not to let such conservative issues stop the potential success of a potent medical tool.
Final Words
Many top life science consulting firms try to highlight that securing life from diseases means working on ways to save it from mishaps. For the human body to operate and function perfectly, biotechnology has to place the correct pieces of the puzzle at the right time and under appropriate conditions. While many ethical and moral concerns stand against stem cell research, mostly stemming from religious beliefs, we believe the potential of this powerful medical tool should not be overlooked. We need to make sure that the full potential of stem cell research should be adequately understood and taught, so it can work on one thing we all stand for: saving human lives.
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