Reproductive technologies. What do you think of when you hear these words? Do the words artificial inseminations, cloning, embryo transfer, stem cell research or even contraception come to mind? These are just a few examples of reproductive technologies that are still used today. This is an issue that causes a lot of debate between people of different, and even the same cultures. The media also has a big influence on people’s opinions these issues as well. Should many of these technologies be able to used in every day life? This is a question that varies from person to person.
Stem cell research is a very controversial issue when talking about reproductive technologies. Many do not agree with it, simply for the fact that the starting of a stem cell line requires the destruction of a human embryo. Realistically, most people that are pro-life are also against stem cell research because of this fact (Boyer, et al). Stem cell debates have strengthened the pro-life movement, in which members are concerned with the rights of the embryo as an early-aged human being. Many also suppose that embryonic stem cell research violates the sanctity of life and can be equated to murder. Even our President, George W. Bush feels this way. “Destroying human life in the hopes of saving human life is not ethical,” Mr. Bush said in a brief ceremony in the East Room of the White House. He called the United States “a nation founded on the principle that all human life is sacred” (NYTimes.com). The fundamental assertion of those who oppose embryonic stem cell research is the belief that human life is inviolable, combined with the fact that human life begins when a sperm cell fertilizes an egg cell to form a single cell, which will in turn grow into a baby (Boyer, et al).
From the very beginning, use of stem cells has been divisive. Conversely, there are many people that have been advocates of stem cell research since 1998, when scientists isolated embryonic stem...