A Contemporary Perspective on Embryonic Stem Cell Research

Stem cells serve as an internal repair system by replacing other cells that are worn out or damaged, essentially always keeping the body at maximum capacity. However, the primary method of obtaining human embryonic stem cells (hESC) is by harvesting embryos not used by In Vitro Fertilization clinics, which raises the question if this shows a lack of respect for human life. From one perspective, the leftover embryos from fertility treatment will never develop into a child unless it is implanted in the uterine wall and using them to help treat devastating diseases is better than disposing of them as biological waste. However, others believe the embryos are human beings and that this type of research is tortuous. hESC research has the potential to revolutionize medical treatment and save millions of lives, but we must ensure that we push the boundaries of science while maintaining the utmost respect for human life.