Moral or Immoral free essay sample

Moral or Immoral Should people have the power to act as God? Should scientific studies be limited? Some people would say yes, while others would say no. There are countless debates that are constantly going on in the biological field. Two examples of these highly debated topics are stem cell research and euthanasia. In the U. S. today, many people are questioning the morality of stem cell research and euthanasia. Stem cells are cells that can renew themselves. They have the ability of making an organism regenerate its tissue. Many people disagree with stem cell research because it involves the human embryo, therapeutic cloning, and preimplantation. To initiate the creation of a stem cell, the procedure requires the use of one of these two options. Scientists can either choose to terminate a human embryo, or use a process called therapeutic cloning. This has led to a disagreement in the U. S. today. Many people argue that a human embryo is a life and deserves to live. These people are for the â€Å"pro-life movement† as opposed to the supporters of stem cell research who are for the â€Å"pro-choice movement. Stem cell research supporters argue that this research can have great medical value. Therapeutic cloning is when the human embryo is grown for fourteen days. After the fourteen days pass, its stem cells are removed and used to develop an organ. It does this by growing with a human tissue or organ. Using its stem cells, it can convert into an organ or a piece of human tissue that could be trans planted into a person. This is not complete termination of the embryo, but many can argue that the embryo is not fulfilling its â€Å"destiny† by growing into another human being. However, there is another option that could suit both sides of the argument, a process called preimplantation genetic diagnosis. Preimplantation genetic diagnosis is a procedure that is performed on embryos before the implantation. According to Princeton University, implantation is the natural process in which a fertilized egg becomes implanted in the lining of the uterus of placental mammals. Tests using embryonic screening can create a line of stem cells without developing the actual embryo. Lately, stem cell research has been very successful; however, many disputes are still being held on the morality of the issue. The termination of a human embryo, therapeutic cloning and preimplantation are all possible procedures that can lead to medical breakthroughs; however there are other controversies besides stem cell research. Euthanasia is defined as the taking of a life, either by the request of the patient, the patients family, or for the patient’s benefit as determined by others who are empowered to make that decision. Voluntary euthanasia is a terminally ill patients decision to spare them great pain and agony. Non-Voluntary euthanasia is when a patient has not given any permission or consent. Intentional euthanasia occurs when a patient is killed through euthanasia by action, or euthanasia by omission. Euthanasia by action is when a patient is killed by lethal injection. Euthanasia by omission is when a patient is intentionally not given the essential nutrients the body needs to survive. Euthanasia brings up questions for many people. Oregon and Washington are the only states in the U. S. where euthanasia is legal. Lawmakers in other states have avoided allowing euthanasia because there is concern of patient abuse. Supporters of euthanasia insist that the government is allowing inhumane suffering by not permitting euthanasia. However, the laws are still in place to protect the patient who has not, or cannot, make their requests clear. Stem cell research and euthanasia are only two of the many topics being disputed between pro-life and pro-choice activists. The question of what is right and what is wrong can only be answered to a certain degree. Stem cell research can lead to a medical breakthrough, but many people are saying its just wrong to disturb human DNA. Euthanasia supporters are begging for change, while the lawmakers stand their ground with the law. Morals will always be a suitable question as biological advancements are made.