Does stem cell research destroy embryos?

Once established, human embryonic stem cell lines can persist stably, apparently for years. At present there is no source of new embryonic human stem cell lines that does not involve the destruction of human embryos. Human embryonic stem cells.

Why is stem cell research so controversial?

However, human embryonic stem cell (hESC) research is ethically and politically controversial because it involves the destruction of human embryos. In the United States, the question of when human life begins has been highly controversial and closely linked to debates over abortion.

Can you get stem cells without killing babies?

Firm Creates Stem Cells Without Hurting Embryos Scientists on Wednesday unveiled a new technique that they say could break the political deadlock over human embryonic stem cells. The method relies on the extraction of a single cell and does not destroy the embryo, scientists from Advanced Cell Technology report.

Why are stem cells not being used?

Adult stem cells may not be able to be manipulated to produce all cell types, which limits how adult stem cells can be used to treat diseases. Adult stem cells are also more likely to contain abnormalities due to environmental hazards, such as toxins, or from errors acquired by the cells during replication.

Is it right to destroy human embryos in order to harvest stem cells?

Once embryos have been produced, it is permissible to destroy them in research, provided that they are unwanted and that the parents consent. Therefore, in producing embryos for research, we produce them with the intention of treating them in permissible ways. It is difficult to see what could be wrong with that.

Do all stem cells come from fetuses?

These stem cells come from embryos that are 3 to 5 days old. At this stage, an embryo is called a blastocyst and has about 150 cells. These are pluripotent (ploo-RIP-uh-tunt) stem cells, meaning they can divide into more stem cells or can become any type of cell in the body.