Video Transcript
Stem cells are unspecialized cells
that can differentiate into a variety of cell types found in a human body. This makes them incredibly useful
in medicine in treating disease. However, the use of stem cells
faces a lot of opposition. Which of the following would be a
correct ethical obligation to using stem cells in medicine? (A) People may disagree with the
use of stem cells, as no stem cells can be taken from consenting, adult donors. (B) People may disagree with stem
cell research, as treatments are often funded by private companies. (C) People may disagree with the
use of stem cells because they can only be used to treat genetic disorders, not
injuries or acquired diseases. (D) People may disagree with the
use of embryonic stem cells, as taking these cells results in the destruction of
human embryos.
A stem cell is an unspecialized
cell that can differentiate into a specific cell type. For example, a stem cell can
differentiate into neurons, skin cells, or muscle cells. They can be found in human adult
tissues as well as embryos. Stem cells are vital in medical
research, but they also present ethical issues, especially when they’re taken from
embryos. Ethics refers to what is morally
right and wrong. Now let’s go through the answer
choices to determine which option represents a correct ethical obligation to using
stem cells in medicine.
The premise of answer choice (A) is
false because stem cells can be taken from consenting, adult donors. This would only present an ethical
obligation if stem cells were taken from unwilling donors, which isn’t the case.
Answer choice (B) could potentially
be an argument against stem cell research if you’re concerned that private companies
would exploit the treatments for profits. However, no further information is
given to suggest this, so this option is incorrect.
Answer choice (C) is based on an
incorrect premise. It’s not true that stem cells can
only be used to treat genetic disorders, as the potential exists to grow limbs and
organs for transplant.
Answer choice (D) is a legitimate
ethical concern. In many people’s opinion, embryos
should have the same rights as fully developed humans. And if this is your opinion, then
for you it is ethically wrong to destroy human embryos for stem cells.
Therefore, the statement that
correctly identifies an ethical obligation in using stem cells in medicine is given
by answer choice (D). People may disagree with the use of
embryonic stem cells, as taking these cells results in the destruction of human
embryos.
