Benefits Of Stem Cell Research

The anticipated benefits of stem cell research are the trigger for debates between proponents of embryonic stem cell research and those that have objections to it.

Those that endorse stem cell research argue that the benefits of stem cell research outweigh the cost "in terms of embryonic life".  The argument is that embryonic stem cells can differentiate into all types of bodily tissue in a lab environment making them attractive for cellular therapies for treatment of a variety of diseases. Furthermore it is argued that the social and personal costs of the diseases that those embryonic stem cells could treat dwarf the costs associated with the destruction of the embryos.

Opponents of this view see the embryo as an actual human and should therefore be valued equivalent to a "regular" human life. This is based on the assumption that conception marks the beginning of human life associated with the corresponding soul. Subsequently despite any potential benefits of stem cell research the argument follows that human life is inherently valuable and therefore cannot be involuntarily be destroyed to better or even save another life.