Gladjeanwirl C.

Canete July 04, 2019

Grade 11- Rutherford Ms. Hazel Oliquino

Part I – Late Night News

Questions

1. What is a stem cell?

A stem cell is a cell with the unique ability to develop into specialized cell types in the body. In the
future they may be used to replace cells and tissues that have been damaged or lost due to
disease.
2. How are embryonic stem cells different from other types of stem cells?
Embryonic stem cells supply new cells for an embryo as it grows and develops into a baby. These
stem cells are said to be pluripotent, which means they can change into any cell in the body.
Adult stem cells supply new cells as an organism grows and to replace cells that get damaged.
Adult stem cells are said to be multipotent, which means they can only change into some cells in
the body, not any cell. Induced pluripotent stem cells, or ‘iPS cells’, are stem cells that scientists
make in the laboratory.

Major difference is their different abilities in the number and type of differentiated cell types they
can become. Embryonic stem cells can become all cell types of the body because they
are pluripotent. Adult stem cells are thought to be limited to differentiating into different cell
types of their tissue of origin.

3. Given their function, how do you think embryonic stem cells are used as a treatment for damaged
cells?

The goal of cell replacement is to develop therapies where stem cells are first induced to
differentiate into specified cells of choice, then transplanted into patients to replace damaged or
dysfunctional tissues. Embryonic stem cells possess two properties that make them especially
well suited for cell therapy. Where this said cells can change into any cell in the body.

Part II – An Ethical Dilemma

Questions

1. Why is there controversy surrounding the therapeutic use of embryonic stem cells?

The derivation of pluripotent stem cell lines from oocytes and embryos is fraught with disputes
about the onset of human personhood. The therapeutic of embryonic stem cells is ethically and
politically controversial because it involves the destruction of human embryos. It is not disputed
that embryos have the potential to become human beings; if implanted into a woman’s uterus at
the appropriate hormonal phase, an embryo could implant, develop into a fetus, and become a
live-born child.
It is believed that an embryo is a person with the same moral status as an adult or a live-born
child. As a matter of religious faith and moral conviction, they believe that “human life begins at
conception” and that an embryo is therefore a person. According to this view, an embryo has
interests and rights that must be respected. From this perspective, taking a blastocyst and
removing the inner cell mass to derive an embryonic stem cell line is tantamount to murder.
(2004 Monitoring stem cell research. Washington, D.C.: The President’s Council on
Bioethics [Google Scholar])
2. What embryos are used as the source for embryonic stem cells? What would happen to these
embryos if they were not used in such treatments?
Embryonic stem cells, as their name suggests, are derived from embryos. Most embryonic stem
cells are derived from embryos that develop from eggs that have been fertilized in vitro—in an in
vitro fertilization clinic—and then donated for research purposes with informed consent of the
donors. They are not derived from eggs fertilized in a woman's body.
Failing to pursue this research could result in thousands, perhaps millions, of avoidable deaths,
not to mention great pain and suffering. In some view this would be morally equivalent to killing
these people. Even if it is not morally equivalent to killing, those who draw a distinction between
killing and allowing death through inaction typically admit that there are strong reasons to
prevent avoidable deaths. There are therefore powerful reasons to pursue destructive embryo
research. Yet, opponents believe that it would be wrong to destroy unwanted IVF embryos in
order to realize these medical benefits. Perhaps the most common argument given is that
embryos are persons. If embryos have the same moral status as persons, then it will be wrong to
kill them in the same circumstances (Tonti-Filippini, 1999).

3. Taking into account the information you provided for the last question, how would you answer Sandy’s
question to Dr. Gupta?

Well, maybe this situation happened for us to test our moral intuitions. However, if embryos are
persons, then surely, we need to let them live, as it is permissible-if not obligatory- to save
thousands of persons in preference to one. In respect to your religion, and if this hypothetical
case that embryo is a person is proven then your son Jim will be paralyzed and will not undergo
as a candidate for our experimental treatment.

Part III – Stem Cells from Forgotten Embryos

Questions

1.If you were Sandy Allison, would you want your son Jim to undergo the embryonic stem cell treatment?
Why or why not?

No, I will not let my son Jim undergo the Embryonic Stem cell treatment for it is an experimental
treatment at first, unproven. I’m afraid if this Experimental treatment will fail, and Jim will be the
one who’s affected. Not all situations that undergoes scientific way will end up to be successful.
We’re talking about life here. It is better to not to, than regret for what I decided at the end. And
if Jim’s may not be able to move his body (Chest to down) I’m here to guide him, for it is my job
as a mother to look after him. As few know, all medical treatments have benefits and risks.
3. State two reasons for and against undergoing the stem cell treatment.
Two reasons to undergo stem cell treatment:
a. Able to treat different health issue.

b. Stem cells may be one way of generating new cells that can then be transplanted into
the body to replace those that are damaged or lost.

Two reasons not to undergo stem cell treatment:

a. Many common side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, fatigue and temporary hair loss
and could worsen the situation either
b. It is not fully a hundred percent that the treatment will end up successfully
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