Rousseau on......
Stem Cell Research
Stem cell research is a topic that has sparked controversy over the past couple of years. It is a topic that concerns medical ethics as well as the decisions of the government. Because of these issues, the government has not committed to funding the costs of the research of stem cell research. Though the stem cell is a bit of an issue, it has proved that it can cure certain diseases. Stem cells can replicate themselves and make any type of cell required to build an organism. Our growth, from single cell to mature adult, is maintained by stem cells. Most of these stem cells come from embryos, in particular embryos left over from infertility treatments. The main controversy of stem cell research is whether or not lives are destructed in the process. One side of the argument is that people should not use anything that is able to grow. The other viewpoint is that these leftover embryos would not be used anyway; they would just sit in a refrigerated dish.
Many Enlightenment thinkers in the 1700’s believed that science would improve life and they strived to come up with theories and ways to do so. However, Jean Jacques Rousseau believes that the modernization of civilization corrupts the goodness of people. Rousseau states, “As the conveniences of life increase, as the arts are brought to perfection, and luxury spreads, true courage flags, the virtues disappear; and all this is the effect of the sciences…” (Rousseau Part 2; Discourse on the Sciences and Arts). He tells us that as sciences increases, the easier life becomes and all “virtue” disappears because as technology and science continue to develop, society begins to recognize other characteristics besides generosity or courage. People start to compete for other skills and start to sink on the virtue level because they would be too busy trying to perfect the other skills.
Though many know that the result of stem cell research could change the lives of people affected by certain types of diseases, Rousseau believes that this can corrupt life. Let’s say, hypothetically, the medical researchers for stem cells find a way to cure HIV. Keep in mind that this is a hypothetical scenario. Teenagers that are engaged in sexual activity hear about this through Internet, newspaper, television, and radio. They decide, since there is a cure for HIV, a common sexually transmitted disease, that they can be careless about using protection during sex. This is an example of Rousseau’s idea of the advancement of science corrupting the society. Jean Jacques Rousseau would be against stem cell research.
Discourse on the Sciences and Arts by Jean Jacques Rousseau