What Is The Controversy About Using Embryonic Stem Cells?

Stem cells are very plentiful in the growing embryo and are used to provide all the different cell types that form the human body. Because embryos are so rich in stem cells, researchers in the UK and in some other countries (not the USA) are allowed to use very early stage embryos to harvest stem cells for use in research or for treating sick people. This causes a lot of controversy because some people argue that these embryos are living people and should not be created and then destroyed a few days later to harvest cells.

Other people argue that the ball of cells is not capable of living and has no feelings or awareness and, as long as the research is very carefully regulated, the disadvantages and the moral difficulties are by far outweighed by the medicine benefits. Stem cells may help to treat people with spinal cord injuries, or who have lost the use of their limbs after a stroke.