Embryonic Stem Cell Research Essay

Dear Mr. Doerflinger[1], In response to your article on Embryonic Stem Cell Research, I would like to point out that man’s war against disease, has recently advanced dramatically through the introduction of such techniques as pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD), and has been instrumental in both saving lives and preventing disease. This approach, which has already been used to fight such disorders as Huntington’s disease, cystic fibrosis, and more recently, cancer, opens the way for undreamt of possibilities concerning both the future diagnoses of different diseases, and their subsequent treatments (Genetic Engineering, 2007). Throughout the world, thousands of children are born with life-threatening diseases and conditions, which man, through genetic science, is now potentially capable of either treating, or maybe even entirely eliminating. By allowing genetic scientists the necessary freedom to continue with research, and to use the recent advancements that science has acheived in embryo screening, future generations will be able to live longer and healthier lives (Bionet, 2007). Within your statement you claim that â€Å"More than two decades of research using mouse embryonic stem cells have produced no treatments †¦. that are safe or effective enough for anyone to propose in humans. These cells have not helped a single human being†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Richard M. Doerflinger, 2007). However, in recent years genetic science has already saved, and changed, the lives of many, giving hope to families facing desperate situations. Adam Nash’s birth, in August 2000, is just one example, which so clearly demonstrates the beginning of a whole new adventure that is just beginning to open before man. Adam’s embryo was chosen after having been screened for Fanconi anemia (FA), which is a rare, and often fatal, congenital blood disorder, due to the fact that Adam’s parents’ were both carriers of the disease. They already had one child, Molly, who had been born with the rare blood disorder, and the Nash’s wanted a sibling for their little girl – but one who was not inflicted with the same disorder. However, doctors, through the use of PGD, were able to find an embryo with tissue that matched Molly’s, which led to their daughter being cured. For the first time in medical history doctors â€Å"blended the sciences of in vitro fertilisation, stem cells, and genetic screening† (5280.com, 2005). One-day-old embryos were tested for FA’s genetic code, and healthy ones were further screened for a tissue match. The embryo was then transplanted into Lisa Nash’s womb and immediately after Adam’s birth blood was removed from the umbilical cord. This was then used for the critical, life-saving transplant. Today both Molly and Adam Nash are healthy, normal children that can, along with their parents, look ahead with confidence (ScienCentralNews, 2004). Clearly research is needed to determine whether the use of embryos is murder, and restrictions enforced to ensure that asthetic choices, such as gender and appearence, are not permitted. But medical sicence isn’t interested in obtaining perfect babies, its objective is curing and preventing disease. Therefore, scientific research in this field to should be continued to advance the human race, especially if he is to make any headway in understanding the nature of disease, its origins and its cure. And, although there is a need to address both the ethical and social questions that have been raised by those who fear the posibility of ‘designer babies’, medical science must be allowed to progress, if we are ever to successfully combat diseases and conditions that both wreck lives, and kill human beings (Caroline Mackie Ogilvie, 2007). The likely possibilities are immense; but genes offering protection against fatal and crippling diseases are not the only benefits of this incredible medical advancement. There are also genes that enhance intelligence, the five senses, beauty, and almost every other aspect of man, which opens up other avenues of exploration. Many animals, for example, possess skills and senses that humans don’t have – such as better hearing, or leg regeneration. In the future it may be possible, through gene identification, to incorporate these functions into humans (GMO, 2007), and use them to heal conditions such as deafness, or in limb replacement. It is clear that ethical and social questions concerning the future use of genetic engineering within modern society will need to be addressed. While appropriate democratic laws and structures will hopefully reflect a considered and balance view of the importance of genetic medicine for future generations, such measures should not be allowed to interfere with future scientific research. References 5280.com, Online Article, The Miracle of Molly, 2005. Information retrieved 03/27/2007. Bionet: Explore life science and debate the issues, Online Article, Design-a-Baby? 2007.   Page Downloaded 03/12/2007. Caroline Mackie Ogilvie, et al., Online Article, Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis—An Overview, 2007. Page downloaded 03/19/2007. < www.jhc.org/cgi/content/full/53/3/255> Genetic Engineering, Joà £o Pedro de Magalhà £es, Online Article, Defining Our Children’s Traits, 2007. GMO: Genetic Engineering, Online Article, Designer Baby Ethics, 2007. Page downloaded 03/19/2007. Richard M. Doerflinger, The Ethics & Religious Liberty Comission, Online Article,   Testimony of Richard M. Doerflinger on Embryonic Stem Cell Research, 2004.   Page downloaded 03/19/2007.    ScienCentralNews, Online Article, Stem Cell Siblings, 2004. Page downloaded 03/19/2007. [1] Audience: Richard M. Doerflinger is Deputy Director of the Secretariat for Pro-Life Activities, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, where he has worked for 25 years. Among his duties is the preparation of policy statements and congressional testimony on abortion, euthanasia, embryo research, human cloning, and other medical-moral issues for the bishops’ conference.