Are we killing the weak to heal the sick?: federally funded embryonic stem cell research.

Medical professionals have long sought effective treatments for debilitating diseases and injuries. Until recently, researchers had little concrete hope of significantly helping people afflicted with serious conditions like Parkinson’s disease, diabetes, cancer, multiple sclerosis, birth defects, heart disease, and spinal cord injuries. Roughly three years ago, everything changed when scientists made an extremely controversial breakthrough in the field of human stem cell research. Implanting these newly isolated unspecialized cells into sick or injured human tissue holds out the hope of miracle medical cures. Some researchers harvest stem cells by destroying human embryos, and these scientists now want access to federal funds to support their work. By reviewing the history of stem cell research, analyzing the state of applicable medical research law, and applying scientific and philosophical considerations to the debate, this Note will demonstrate that federally funded human embryonic stem cell research is illegal, immoral, and unnecessary.