One of the most controversial topics in the media today is the question of the morality of human embryonic stem cell research. According to a May 2010 Gallup poll, 59 percent of Americans believe that medical research using stem cells obtained from humans is morally acceptable, while 32 percent believe it is morally wrong. (Saad) It will always be difficult for me to take a position on this issue. There are so many arguments for and against and so many ethical theories that support and oppose it. I will try to touch on some of these theories and how they apply to human embryonic stem cell research. Human embryonic stem cell (HESC) research involves removing tissue from the aborted embryo so that the cells can be studied. This research has the potential to help cure Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, stroke, diabetes (type 1), birth defects and spinal cord injuries. I can also help replace or repair damaged organs, reduce the risk of transplantation, and play an important role in the treatment and prevention of cancer. (Experiment-Resources.com) The argument that HESC research is unethical is this: it is morally wrong to kill innocent human beings; the human embryo is considered an innocent human being; therefore it is morally wrong to kill the human embryo. (Siegel) Within this statement lies the question: when does human life begin to exist? The standard view of those who oppose HESC research is that a human being begins to exist with the emergence of the single-celled zygote at the time of fertilization. (Siegel) So, according to this view, all research on HESCs should be ended because all HESCs are humans. The government's decision has changed over the years. President Obama Reintroduced a Bill to Change Public Health S...... middle of document ......Saad, Lydia. “Four Moral Issues Sharply Divide Americans.” Gallup.Com - Daily news, polls, public opinion on government, politics, economics, management. Gallup, May 26, 2010. Web. June 17, 2011. .Siegel, Andrew. “Ethics of Stem Cell Research (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy).” Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Stanford University Metaphysics Research Laboratory, April 25, 2008. Web. June 17, 2011. “Stem Cell Research: Pros and Cons.” The scientific method, science, research and experiments. Experiment-Resources.com, 2008. Web. June 17, 2011. Thiroux, Jacques P., and Keith W. Krasemann. Ethics: theory and practice. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall, 2009. Print.