my op-ed: oh, the possibilities…
For many centuries mankind has been developing new and improved technology allowing the research of various treatments for diseases to be discovered. With these technological advances, our society has been provided with the most up to date treatment in order to maintain a healthy environment and obtain important information pertaining to certain ailments and diseases or so we think. Although our nation claims to be “ahead of the game” when it comes to medical breakthroughs and modern medical technology, we still restrict the research on some of the most important and promising medical research yet. For example, stem cell research. Stem cell research could possibly hold the most important keys in curing our society’s most deadly diseases. Stem cell research could provide the hope for those afflicted with diseases such as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, diabetes, paralysis, and even cancer.
I look at the technology we have today, having the ability to build artificial limbs, recreate an individual’s body with plastic surgery, and even manipulate fertilization of sperm and eggs. Why can’t we provide this research to the citizens of this nation who are not asking to have the “perfect physique” but who simply want to be cured of their disease and be granted the gift of time with their families? Developing life saving technologies should be at the forefront of our priorities as a nation.
In 2001, President Bush stated that there would be a restriction of funding for stem cell research and that federal money would only be used on the very few stem cell lines, including the defective ones that still existed. Restricting federal funding for stem cell research here in the U.S. has allowed other countries who encourage the research to jump ahead in the biomedical knowledge race. Our nation is falling further behind other countries when it comes to scientific research.
When it comes to this kind of life saving research there should be no question if it should or should not be done. The fact is that any research that can save a life regardless of what is deemed to be “ethical” or not should be mandatory, and the government should be the first group to support scientific research. The development and success of this nation depends on it. Who knows, if we do not get back in the “game” of research some of our citizens could move to other countries with the care and treatment that they desperately need.
The stem cell argument is one of the biggest arguments in the United States today, and honestly I do not believe that stem cell research will never be an issue that will be put to rest. With or without the research there will always be individuals against or for stem cell treatment, but I hope that one day we can all agree to disagree and take account of the facts we have at hand. Saving lives should be the most important factor when it comes to debating the issue of stem cell research.
The main argument made when it comes to stem cell research is if it is unethical or not to obtain stem cells from an embryo. The big debate is whether or not life begins at conception although a human embryo has no ability to survive outside the womb. What about the embryos that are aborted? Why is it so unethical to obtain stem cells from them but we can just simply throw them away? Why not use the aborted embryos to research stem cells?
I can only hope that one day our society can look past their conservative views and decide what would be best for our nation. Stem cell research would open the door to so many different possibilities and most importantly, give hope to individuals and their families who have diseases that could be cured by this biomedical research.
