Legalize Stem Cell Research

Imagine waking up from a tragic accident that left you paralyzed from the neck

down, would you have hope that you could ever recover? What if there was research

that the use of stem cells could lead to potential treatments and cures? According to the

National Institute of Health, stem cells in certain organs, have the ability to divide into

other cells that are used to “repair and replace worn out or damaged tissues” (NIH).

Although stem cell research raises ethical concerns, it should be legalized due to the

possibility of medical advancements and cures of numerous diseases.

Stem cell research benefits because it will help enlighten scientists’ knowledge in

the biology of human development which could be helpful to future findings. In “Stem

Cell Research and Applications” by Audrey Chapman, Ph.D., stem cells are stated to be

“unspecialized cells that are thought to be able to reproduce themselves indefinitely

and, under the right conditions, to develop into mature cells, e.g., nerve, skin, pancreas,

with specialized functions” (Chapman). They are different from normal cells because

they are unspecialized, meaning that they are not committed to a specific cell or tissues

function. Another thing stem cells can do that ordinary cells cannot do is divide for long

periods of time. If the stem cell divides and is still unspecialized, then the cells can

usually repair themselves. Also, if the stem cell becomes a specialized cell, it could

potentially become a number of different cell types.

There are three main types of stem cells. They are adult, umbilical cord, and

embryonic stem cells. Embryonic stem cells can become almost any cell type in the

body, and adult stem cells are restricted to the t...

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...ute for Civil Society. Web. 21 Mar. 2010. < http://www.aaas.org/spp/sfrl/projects/stem/report.pdf>.

Curzer, Howard J. "The Ethics Of Embryonic Stem Cell Research." Journal of Medicine and Philosophy 29 (2004): 533-62. Academic Search Elite. Web. 21 Mar. 2010.

Moreno, Ph.D., Jonathan D., and Sam Berger. "Stemmed Progress." The American Prospect. The American Prospect, 18 July 2006. Web. 20 Mar. 2010. .

National Institue of Health. "Stem Cell Basics: Introduction [Stem Cell Information]." NIH Stem Cell Information Home Page. Web. 21 Mar. 2010. .

Weiss, Rick. "The Stem Cell Divide." National Geographic. National Geographic Society. Web. 20 Mar. 2010.

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