Stem cell research can be a promising technology as well as a controversial one, depending on which side you stand for. The controversy over stem cell research has recently become one of the serious issues that has reached the international stage. Both sides have their reasons and both seem to stand their ground in their belief that it may either have positive or negative ramifications in the future.

The controversy over stem cells comes from the research that involves the creation, use and destruction of human embryonic stem cells. Stem cells are cells that are found in multi-cellular organisms. These cells are capable of going through numerous cycles of cell division while maintaining their undifferentiated state. Stem cells also have the ability of developing into a diverse range of specialized cell types. What makes stem cells so attractive for research is that they can develop into any type of specialized embryonic tissue. In adult organisms, stem cells, along with progenitor cells act as a repair system for the body.

And because stem cells can be grown and transformed into specialized cells with characteristics similar to that with various tissues such as nerves and muscles through cell culture, many researchers have proposed research into how it can be used for various medical therapies. Many researchers find that research on stem cells may provide promising treatments to several conditions that humans suffer from such as brain and spinal cord damage, degenerative conditions and even genetic diseases.

The controversy over the use of stem cell s in research comes from the way that they are being created in labs and how they are used. Current techniques used in starting a stem cell line may require the destruction of human embryo as well as therapeutic cloning. The controversy lies in the ethical practice of using human embryos as just a means to extract stem cells for use on research and treatment. This is the only area in the vast field of stem cell research that is being attacked by its opponents on ethical grounds.

Opponents of stem cell research further argue that current stem cell technologies used can further lead to reproductive cloning and can devalue human life. Opponents believe that human embryos are already human lives and killing them is similar to killing lives. They believe that the embryo, as a human life, is entitled to protection.

Supporters meanwhile argue that the technology and the research on stem cells may hold promising new breakthroughs in furthering human lives in the future. They contend that new ways of creating stem cells are being pursued without the need of destroying an embryo. At present, both sides seems to be at a standstill with the debate on the issue still continues on. This has led authorities worldwide to develop a regulatory framework to oversee stem cell research and technology for the ethical and social challenges that it currently presents.