Discuss why there is controversy over genetic markers and stem cell research

Discuss why there is controversy over genetic markers and stem cell research

The main controversy involves the use of genetic markers to identify and classify individuals based on their genetic characteristics (Zhou et al., 2019). These classifications denote that the use of genetic markers can lead to discrimination and stigma, particularly when used in conjunction with other forms of personal information.

Others argue that the use of genetic markers can be beneficial in certain situations, such as in the development of personalized medical treatments or the identification of potential genetic risk factors for certain conditions. Another area of controversy involves the use of stem cells in research and medical treatments (Zhou et al., 2019).

Stem cells are cells that can develop into a wide variety of cell types, and they have the potential to be used to repair or replace damaged or diseased tissues. However, the use of stem cells in research and medicine has been the subject of significant ethical debate, particularly when it involves the use of embryonic stem cells, which are derived from human embryos.

References

Dierickx, S., Onwuteaka-Philipsen, B., Penders, Y., Cohen, J., van der Heide, A., Puhan, M. A., … & Chambaere, K. (2020). Commonalities and differences in legal euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide in three countries: a population-level comparison. International Journal of Public Health, 65(1), 65-73.

Leget, C., & Kohlen, H. (2020). End of life: Care ethical perspectives. In Contemporary European perspectives on the ethics of end-of-life care (pp. 75-92). Springer, Cham.