Governments Role in Scientific Research

The role of the governments is to represent and protect the people. But most importantly the role of government is to make sure that human life is safe and people's dignity is preserved. In general people in various countries agree with, support, and even demand that their governments carry out the majority of these roles. In other cases they are deeply divided. Although it may lead to breakthrough discoveries that can save many lives, using embryonic stem cells for research is one of government roles that has deeply divided the constituency in two groups those that are in favor and the ones that adamantly are against embryonic stem cell research.

The opponents of stem cell research are convinced that embryonic cells are human beings and although in their earliest stages of development, their lives should be protected. In fact, if embryos are considered as living human beings they constitute the most vulnerable segment of populations the rights of which a good government should protect first.

There is a considerable number of people that have strong religious views or other reasons that make them feel offended if the government, that represents them and their ideals as well as their morals, instituted polices favoring the use of embryonic stem cells. Education, social status, and more importantly religious beliefs seem to heavily influence people opinions. The fact that embryonic stem research is banned in countries like Italy, Portugal, Ireland, Germany, Austria with their populations predominately Roman Catholics reflects the power that religious education and faith has on this matter.

Those who support the use of stem cells in scientific research believe that such research will lead to making organs from stem cells that can be transplanted into sick patients. But, by what means will this noble act be conducted?

This brings us to another topic that is closely related to stem cell research, organ transplantation and the market for organs. Today people have to endure long waiting periods for organ recipients and this shortage of organs puts their lives in danger everyday.This unavoidably can lead to instances where the rich in need for organs are willing to pay for these organs. In less developed countries there is evidence that the poor sell their organs. Then, there are worse cases in which illegal trafficking of organs are taken from individuals without their consent. (Anecdotal information has indicated that such events have occurred in some recent civil wars).

Those that willingly sell their organs such as a kidney to receive money to feed their family may do so without being fully informed of the consequences of such a procedure.

These examples stated above are considered illegal because the lives of those people whose organs are taken or sold are put in danger. It is the government’s job to protect the population against such actions. This is a valid argument that those who oppose stem cell research have and can use to defend their views about the role of government in protecting the lives of embryos.
Restricting guidelines and limitations on scientific research may therefore be necessary in order to maintain the safety of the population.

Egg donation in my opinion is different with regard to ethical aspect. Even though financial transactions are most of the time involved it is still justified. Two arguments can be used to support this view. The first relates to the question, is life destroyed in that act? The answer is no. In fact even though failure rates may be high the intention is to procreate. The second aspect of egg donation is the financial aspect of it. Women that donate eggs are being paid a sum of about $10,000. These are mostly related to the time or restriction in their lives to harvest the eggs and finally the intervention to capture the egg from the women' body.

Scientific research is the key to finding cures, conquering diseases, and to ultimately create a better future for mankind. Restricting research may make achieving such goals more difficult, but these challenges fund the research to take place in the most safe and cautious way possible.

I believe in scientific research and the promises it holds but I also believe that there will be future advancements in science that will make it possible for scientists to produce organs that will save lives without the use of embryos. Is it right to destroy embryos for others to live? We should respect the beliefs of those who oppose the use of embryos and continue to improve scientific technology so that one day scientists might be able to do such things without destroying human embryos.
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