Humanities Ethics Research paper on Embryonic stem cell research

Humanities Ethics on Embryonic stem cell - Research Paper Example Research on the ES cells has then brought to the fore certain considerations with regard to human ethics. For the research to take place, the human embryo has to be harvested in order to investigate the phenomenon of interests. A balance cannot however be established between succeeding in helping another life using the embryo as it continues to exist. What are the ethical dilemmas involved in the embryonic stem cell researches? Despite the hot debate that surrounds the research use of embryonic stem cells, they offer better opportunity for harnessing certain therapies. Due to the controversy, most of the countries have adopted their own different rules that regulate the application of the Human Embryonic cells in research. Opinion is divided on what the value of human life is and the life of the embryo. It then exudes an ethical dilemma that complicates the application of the ES cells in solving most of the clinical problems (James, 45). The moral dilemma establishes a situation in w hich a choice has to be made from the two existing sensitive options. One, there is the duty prevent or relieve patients from chronic pains and two, the duty to respect the inherent value of human life. ... It has been however been difficult to approve one option vis-a-vis the other. The arguments then goes that it is not ethical to destroy embryo given the fact that they possess full moral status beginning from fertilization and as they progresses through maturity. Others observe that an embryo should be considered as a person despite the fact that it is still an embryo (James, 45). They espouse the retention of life of the embryo by stating that there is a continuous process involved in the life of an embryo beginning from fertilization. They note that just like an infant is considered a human being then is the embryo. The argument goes further that people would tend to dismiss the significance of an embryo as a person just because they do not have the characteristics of a human being (Holland, 43). This should not be the angle of justifications because through the process of growth, the embryo will develop the said attributes. They concur that it is arbitrary to determine the period or stage when personhood commences, hence an embryo should not be dismissed as not being a person (Holland, 43). However, another explosive counter argument has continued to make decisions on the ES cells application very difficult. It explains that an embryo lacks the justification levels of being described as a person (Holland, 43). This is because unlike humans they do not have emotional, psychological and physical properties exhibited by humans or persons. As such there is no interest at all that is demonstrated by the embryo to regard protection and should be used to help persons who are in deeper pains with their lives hanging on the balance (James, 45). Another argument indicates a â€Å"cut-off† point at 14