Slanted View on Stem Cell Research

As I quickly learned from working with GUSU, one of major limitations to finding a cure for spinal cord injuries has been the controversy regarding the use of stem cells.  Years ago, in my biology class, we learned about embryonic stem cells and how they can be differentiated into any other type of cell.  But, as this was years ago, I needed to brush up on my stem cell facts since GUSU supports stem cell research.

A Google search of stem cell research facts pulled up this article on ChristiaNet.  The first few sentences in the article were surprisingly objective considering the source of the article (if you ignore the link that leads straight to an abortion quiz) and the fact that it was found under the section:  abortion articles.

The stem cell controversy involves the destruction of human embryos in order to treat degenerative and genetic diseases. Embryonic cells have the potential to repair tissue damage. They can be used for different types of cells located throughout the body.

Unfortunately, it all goes downhill from here.  The first problem with the article is that some of the information provided is inaccurate.

Human embryos are fertilized eggs that are frozen. The embryo is usually frozen at eight weeks after fertilization.  Little babies that already have brain activity and a heart beat . .

According to The National Institutes of HealthResource for Stem Cell Research, embryonic stem cells are derived from a blastocyst, which is actually only five to six days old.  A blastocyst is a sphere, made up of two layers of cells with a fluid-filled cavity in-between;obviously at this stage there is no heart or brain.

The second major problem with the article is that it is written with a clear bias against embryonic stem cell research using as much loaded language as the author can pack into the paragraphs, along with assumptions about women who have abortions.

Little babies that already have brain activity and a heartbeat are not asked what they want. They are not considered at all. These little ones have no voice in this world. The stem cell controversy is a morale issue; an issue that every person should be concerned about. Using embryos for research is considered murder and goes against Christian beliefs.

Women who decide to abort a child may find doing so easier if they think that research on the child's stem cells could help to save another's life.

The third problem is the lack of research and cited sources other than the Bible.  It’s obvious that some research has been done, but there is no way of knowing where the author obtained his or her information, some of which we already know is inaccurate.  There are also no hard facts offered such as the different types of stem cells and the advantages and disadvantages to each individual type.  When the author does attempt to include research, he quickly offers a rebuttal if she doesn’t agree with the statement.

The stem cell controversy includes research that is being done to use the fluid that surrounds the fetus because it contains many different cell types that can be utilized without the destruction of a human embryo. The cell types in this fluid contain cells from muscles, nerves, the liver, blood vessel, bone, and fat. The research being done is bent on providing a resource for tissue repair and for organ repair but at what cost? The removal of this fluid is not supposed to be harmful to the fetus but it makes sense that this fluid is there for a reason. Perhaps this fluid is there to protect the fetus.

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion.  The problem I have with this article, and it shouldn’t even be called an article, is the fact that it is so poorly presented.  The author tries to make a point using scare and guilt tactics rather than presenting an argument based on facts.  The author does offer a possible solution to the article, which is to use autologous stem cells instead, but again there are neither solid facts, nor a discussion of the disadvantages to using autologous stem cells, such as the fact that they can’t be used to treat genetic disorders.