With the vast progress being made on various frontiers, medicine has been thrust into a gray area, in which researchers struggle daily against ethical dilemmas, especially in the field of regenerative medicine.

Stem cells are a special type of cell with the potential to differentiate, or develop, into different types of cells, such as brain, heart muscle or bone cells. Stem cells from embryos are the most versatile because they can develop into all kinds of cells.

They are useful for a variety of reasons: increasing understanding of how diseases occur; testing new drugs for safety and effectiveness; researching causes of genetic defects; and generating new and healthy cells.

In contrast, highly specialized cells in the heart and brain do not replicate and repair themselves like other body cells, so once the cells lose function, organ damage is irreversible.

Stem cells have the potential to treat a myriad of conditions including Parkinson’s, arthritis and Alzheimer’s disease. In this rapidly developing field, scientists hold the power to alleviate pain and anguish, and ultimately prevent millions of deaths.

Researchers can take stem cells from embryos and culture them to grow into organ parts that can then be used for transplants. In fact, researchers have been able to make new heart muscle and blood in a petri dish, developments that past generations only dreamt of.

While the use of embryonic stem cells raises ethical questions about destroying the embryo, ultimately, regulated stem cell usage does not violate the principles of bioethics.

The IRB makes sure that the pillar of autonomy in medical ethics is held to a high standard: consent, equal access to information, and equal access to participation.

Stem cells are being investigated for treating type-1 diabetes, heart failure and osteoarthritis. In Dr Siddiqui’s words, “if used properly, stem cells have so much potential”.

Kimberly Ryan, a biology teacher at Acton-Boxborough Regional High School in Massachusetts, explained that stem cells are typically sourced from an excess of embryos produced by in vitro fertilization (IVF)

If IVF users chose to donate the plethora of extra embryos to regenerative medicine, scientists could see astonishing progress including the ability to ‘mend broken hearts’.

However, embryonic stem cells aren’t the only variety that scientists use – adult, fetal, and placental tissue and umbilical cord blood stem cells are also used for many purposes.

Many of these stem cell varieties, in particular adult stem cells, are less effective because they aren’t as versatile or durable as embryonic stem cells. In addition, researchers cannot manipulate them to retain all the properties of embryonic stem cells because they are difficult to isolate and purify, meaning scientists cannot utilize them as efficiently.

Instead of backing down, scientists found other methods, including induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells). They are cells that have been manufactured from adult stem cells to retain all of the qualities of embryonic stem cells.

These cells have been shown to have promising potential but the yield is very low which isn’t cost-effective. Scientists are expanding their knowledge about iPS cells, and with the constant developments on the research front, increased use is looking closer to becoming a reality.

Ethics and morals are a fast-evolving field, with new developments that skew people’s opinions and divide our already polarized society.

However, the line between right and wrong is deeply personal and constantly changing with new scientific developments emerging.

When looking towards stem cells as a key to the future, we must outweigh the cons with the pros. In the words of Mrs. Ryan, “Is it worth one life if you can save thousands, or millions?”