Stem cell research is a dilemma ethically because it requires us to weigh two important principles against each other. The first is that we should try to prevent or alleviate suffering. Stem cell research certainly has the potential to do this through treatment of many widespread diseases. It must also be considered how likely it is that stem cell research will eventually lead to these benefits. Embryonic stem cell research involves the destruction of an embryo which goes against the principle of valuing human life. (Australia, Department of the Parliamentary Library, Rickard, 2002) There are currently 400 000 in vitro embryos that were created for reproduction purposes in storage in the U.S. About 2.8% of these embryos will never be used and will be discarded. (Yu & Thomson, 2006) Is it okay then to use kill these embryos if they will not be used? Another method of obtaining embryonic stem cells, somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) is also a problem since it involves the creation of an embryo through SCNT with the intention of destroying it to obtain the stem cells (Australia, Department of the Parliamentary Library, Rickard, 2002).
Using adult stem cells is an alternative that does not involve killing embryos. The problem with adult stem cells is that they are not completely pluripotent and they do not replicate very well in culture. This means that they will not be as useful in research and so have less potential to lead to disease treatments. (Australia, Department of the Parliamentary Library, Rickard, 2002)
The following political cartoons illustrate some opinions on the ethics of stem cell research. Figure 1 illustrates the viewpoint of many people, that embryos should be treated as potential human beings who can become people and "grow up". These people argue against the use of embryos in stem cell research because they believe the embryos should be allowed to become humans since they have this potential. Figure 2 illustrates the dilemna of the two opposing moral principles of stem cell research. On one hand it could help humans suffering from diseases. On the other hand it seems morally wrong to many people to destroy embryos. The man in the cartoon is very strongly against stem cell research, probably because he sees it as the murder of embryos, but it could potentially save his life.
