A recent article featured in the Washington Post feature a story on a PGA Tour Player who had been diagnosed with muscular dystrophy and that his right pectoral muscle was nearly gone. The player was diagnosed in November of 2016 and has seen decline in his overall health and feels this diagnosis will shorten his life. Hoffman comments that Doctors and scientists are conducting stem cell research to find a cure for muscular dystrophy and he is hopeful. Hoffman plans to raise awareness of muscular dystrophy and raise funds for research as well as people who suffer from the diagnosis themselves.

 

This particular article touches lightly on biotechnology in regards to stem cell research and how these stem cells can help with conditions like muscular dystrophy. When reading this particular article my mind shifted away from some of the books information in regards to using stem cells in human embryos and focused on the fact stem cells could possibly help people live longer or improve their quality of life. I asked myself is this particular situation is stem cell research acceptable? Are we still play god in this particular aspect by giving hope to live longer? To be quite honest I do not feel this is playing god. I feel this is research that everyone should be able to use as a basic human right. I view stem cells in this situation as almost like medication to help them increase quality of life. Although there is no studies on if the stem cell research will be effective, lasting, or what the side effects might be I still hold firm to the fact that this type of stem cell research is ethical.