The modern science has achieved tremendous successes in different fields. In this respect, researches in the field of genetics are particularly noteworthy because they can start a new era in the medicine and science at large. However, today, the research of stem cells and their use in the modern medicine often confronts the opposition from the part of the public as well as specialists. In spite of a considerable progress in the stem cells research, it still remains a kind of battlefield between opponents and proponents of the stem cells research. In actuality, there are no alternatives to the further research in the field of genetic, including stem cells researches because the potential of these researches outweigh arguments of their opponents.
On analyzing the problem of the stem cells research and related issues, it is important to lay emphasis on the fact that opponents of such researches basically stand on the religious ground. At any rate, they view the stem cells research as an attempt of scientists to play God. Obviously, this attempt is offensive for representatives of different religions. Therefore, they develop their arguments concerning the necessity to ban totally the stem cells research. Their position is backed up by scientists, who believe that the stem cells research raise unsurpassable ethical barriers, because such researches can raise the problem of cloning and other arguable issues.
However, all the arguments of opponents of the stem cells research are irrelevant to the huge potential and benefits the research can bring to the mankind. First of all, the stem cells research extends human knowledge of genetics and functioning of living organisms at large (Benoff, & Grauman, 1997). The research in this field provides scientists with valuable scientific information that can be used in the medicine as well as other fields. At the same time, the stem cells research definitely contributes to the progress of medicine and genetics. In such a context, opposing to the stem cells research is similar to opposing to the research of the outer space and solar system in the Middle Ages. What is meant here is the fact that it is impossible to stop the progress. Moreover, attempts to stop the progress, including the ban of the stem cells research, can be harmful because, in such a way, the progress of the modern medicine and genetics will be postponed. Therefore, instead of the better understanding of the subject and its essence and using its full potential, scientists will view the stem cells research as a taboo.
At this point, it is possible to refer to numerous benefits the stem cells research can bring to the science, medicine and mankind at large. In fact, the stem cells research can contribute to the efficient treatment of terminally ill patients (Duin, 1999). For instance, today, health care professionals can save lives of patients who would have died without findings made in the result of the stem cells research. In addition, the stem cells research open larger opportunities for transplantation that will save lives of many patients and help them to return to the normal life.
Thus, any attempts to ban the stem cells research lead to the retardation of the development of medicine. In contrast, the in-depth research of stem cells will lead to the better understanding of the subject that will help to overcome ethically arguable issues since the better scientists know the subject of the research the less is the risk of unethical behavior of researchers.
References:
Benoff, M., & Grauman, D. M. (1997). Mastering the physician integration challenge. Healthcare Financial Management. Westchester.
Duin, J. (1999, July). “Reckless reproduction?” Insight on the News 15 (26), 41.
