Embryonic Stem Cell Research 101

Many pro-lifers might understand that embryonic stem cell research violates all pro-life principles, but they do not fully understand what it is. In order that you can argue effectively against it, let's clear up any confusion!

A stem cell is a special type of cell that splits into two cells: a duplicate stem cell and a specialized cell type, such as red or white blood cells.

Stem cells can and are often used to treat various diseases. For example, stem cells were taken from a patient and grown into a full-grown trachea and transplanted back into the patient! (Pretty cool, huh?) Needless to say, stem cells are believed to hold a bright future for the medical field.

So what do embryonic stem cells have to do with this? Well, embryos contain a small bunch of stem cells in the placenta that are "pluripotent" stem cells, which means that they can develop into any cell type or supportive tissue. These cells are like goldmines to doctors. However, here is the problem: the embryo's life must be terminated in order for the cells to be collected. Hence, it is the equivalent of an abortion.

Ironically, while the embryonic pluripotent stem cells are very appealing, using them for research and treatment entails several high risks, most specifically:

1) the cells often develop into monster tumors or cancer cell that can be fatal

2) the transplanted cells run the high risk of tissue rejection by the patient's immune system

Now, a supposed solution to this is cloning, which for reasons to be explained, also contradicts all pro-life principles. Here is cloning in a very simplified nutshell:

1) A nucleus is isolated from one of the patient's somatic (which means non-reproductive) cell and is collected. The nucleus contains the complete genetic information of the organism. This process is repeated many times for best results.

2) Unfertilized eggs are retrieved from a donor and the eggs' nuclei are removed with all the donor's genetic information.

3) The patient's nucleus is injected into the egg, so now the egg only contains the genetic information of the patient.

4) An electrical shock is given, and a human life is created and begins to develop! (Note: cloning entails many health risks for the embryo and no baby made through the process of cloning has survived)

Below is a video of an actual cloning process:

For doctors and researchers, the stem cells of these clones can be gathered and injected back into the patient without as great a risk of rejection. However, the cells still have a great likelihood of developing into tumors or cancerous cells and of course, mean a human life is taken for the convenience of another.

Ironically, there is an alternative to taking innocent lives that is much more convenient and has less risks: adult stem cells.

Adult stem cells are considered to be any stem cells in a human older than seven days. However, they are a little more limited because they are "multipotent" stem cells, which means that they can only develop into closely-related cell types, not any cell type. Even so, they show much more promise than embryonic stem cells and have already been used to cure thousands of illnesses!

The most obvious advantage is that the process of growing adult stem cells does not take a human life. Other benefits are that the stem cells are gathered from the patient's own body, which means no risk of the immune system attacking them, harvesting them is much easier, and they do not form into tumors or cancer cells.

In summary, embryonic stem cell research and treatment kills an innocent human life! Adult stem cells have many more benefits and do not take a human life. So whenever someone mentions the benefits of embryonic stem cells, mention the better alternative: adult stem cells!

Helen is a graduating high school senior with a strong passion for the pro-life movement. As the founder of Millennials4Life, she hopes to help create passionate, informed leaders of tomorrow in order to create a culture of life. In her spare time, she also enjoys playing her violin, debating her faith and beliefs, and brushing up on her history and great books

Photo from University of Michigan.