Governments of many countries including Canada,
the United States and Britain recently have been sent
scrambling by scientists to develop controversial laws
governing cloning, genetically modified organisms, and
most recently stem cells.
What are stem cells, why is this issue
so controversial, and what steps have countries taken to
tackle this moral and ethical minefield?
In November 1998, scientists announced
for the first time they were able to isolate stem cells,
or blank cells, that could specialize into any kind of
cell for the body (eg. neurons, blood, muscle, bone).
Recent research has now advanced to the
point where scientists can manipulate these stem cells and
prompt them into producing any type of body cells they
desire. These recent developments have raised hope for
many people suffering from a multitude of diseases and
disorders, but it also has raised the eyebrows of many
concerned people including religious groups who believe
stem cell research is on shaky moral and ethical ground.
