Stem Cell Research Stem cell research is a highly debated, controversial, sensitive topic. Too many people have skewed perceptions of stem cell research simply due to their lack of knowledge on the topic. The ignorant conception of stem cell research is human cloning, test tube babies, and mindless murder of helpless infants. This is not the case. The United States should be utilizing and funding stem cell research; it has miraculous benefit and is morally justifiable. With federal funding stem cell research could achieve its full potential. It is vital to medical advancement. To form an adequate view point of this topic one must first understand the basics. Human development begins when a sperm fertilizes an egg which forms a single cell that has the potential to create an entire living organism. This fertilized egg is totipotent which means it has total potential to develop into a fetus. A few days after fertilization these totipotent cells begin to specialize, forming a hollow sphere of cells called blastocyst. Inside the blastocyst is a cluster of cells called the inner cell mass. These inner cell mass cells are pluripotent meaning they can create many types of cells but not all necessary to produce a fetus. “Because their potential is not total, they are not totipotent, and they are not embryos” (Espejo). The benefits of stem cell experimentation are nearly unfathomable. Experimentation with human embryos was first developed to help infertile couples have children outside of sexual reproduction called vitro fertilization. “On July 25, 1978, Louise Joy Brown, the world's first successful "test-tube" baby was born” (Rosenberg). If the gift of creating a biological child for an infertile couple, while spreading hope to thousa... ... middle of paper ... ...esearch now, and start utilizing stem cell potential to the fullest. Bibliography Espejo, Roman. Human Embryo Experimentation. San Diego, CA: Greenhaven, 2002. Print. Kleeman, Elise. "December 2013." Discover Magazine. N.p., 1 Dec. 2005. Web. Kuhse, Helga, and Peter Singer. Embryo Experimentation. Cambridge, NY: Cambridge University Press, 1990. Print. LaFleur, William R., Gernot Böhme, and Susumu Shimazono. Dark Medicine: Rationalizing Unethical Medical Research. Bloomington: Indiana UP, 2007. Print. Lenzer, Jeanne. "Have We Entered the Stem Cell Era?" Discover Magazine. Discover Magazine, 14 Dec. 2009. Web. National Institutes of Health. Stem Cells: A Primer. 2000. Web. . Rosenberg, Jennifer. "First Test-Tube Baby- Louise Brown." 20th Century History. n. page. Web. 26 Nov. 2013. "Stem Cells in Use." Stem Cells In Use. N.p., n.d. Web. 2013.
Stem cell research has always been a widely debated topic in 'social and political forums' ever since the case of Roe vs. Wade in 1973. In that case the Supreme Court gave women the right to have an abortion whether or not they have a medical reason to. Whereas beforehand 'they needed a medical reason'. This "sparked controversy" over stem cell research with aborted fetuses. For many of those in favor of using fetal tissue for research it has too much "potential" in the future of medicine in terms of providing cures for diseases and "". Those against fetal tissue research believe it unethical to take one human life in order to preserve another.
Over the past decade scientist and the U.S government have been debating about funds for stem cell research (SCR), the amount spent depends on who is in office. The Democratic Party fully supports SCR, but the Republican Party somewhat opposes the concept of SCR, arfuing it violates the Christian principle of life. As a result, this topic is considered controversial, but also beneficial if allowed. Despite the controversy, SCR should be well funded for medicinal use, because blank stem cells (SC) can be used to regenerate bones and muscle tissue, they can be used to control or even reverse neurodegenerative disease, and because they can be used for therapeutic cloning.
Most people are against Embryonic Stem Cell research mainly because they consider it unethical to use aborted fetuses for research. The two main issues concerning the research are the ethics (Cons) and the benefits (Pros). In any scientific case, ethics must always be considered. But the use of fetuses is something that is of the utmost importance. The costs are generally measured based off of people’s feelings, morals, and knowledge about the subject up for debate. The use of aborted fetuses for stem cell research may have many positive outcomes that can come of it, but many negative outcomes as well; If using aborted fetuses for research can, in the near future, save lives, then it is a research that should be supported, even though some people may see this type of research as something on the complete opposite side of the spectrum from the way they view abortion.
...ting embryos specifically for stem cell research should not be allowed. Continued stem cell research will benefit all of mankind with its promise of medical advances. Opponents’ concerns about destroying human life will be quelled because stem cells will be taken from already doomed embryos. The federal government will be able to regulate the research and ensure that it is lawfully conducted.
Stem cell research must be performed in order for scientists to develop a method full capable of repairing cells. The benefits of stem cell research greatly outweigh the controversies. In the long term, increased ability to cure diseases would decrease the cost of healthcare globally. In the short term, a lot of money is needed to obtain the knowledge required to save lives. In the long run, stem cell research is worth the money spent. This is only achievable if stem cell stu
Stem cell research can date back to 1956 and has lead to multiple medical breakthroughs. Stem cells are generic animal cells that can make copies of themselves indefinitely. Therefore, these cells have to ability to become any body part or organ (Cowan). But, getting this resource is what brings up a controversy. Scientists and researchers are gathering human embryos to further study and test stem cells and some people don’t agree with this. The end result of using embryonic stem cells is someone being able to walk again, someone remembering the names of their children, and someone being able to say that he beat cancer. Stem cell research is beneficial to society and should be accepted into labs all around the world.
Scott, Christopher Thomas. Stem Cell Now: From the Experiment That Shook the World to the
Whereas there are many facets of medical research in the world at the present time, one of the more controversial continues to be stem cell research and more specifically, embryonic stem cell research. The percentage of groups and individuals who agree or disagree with this science are roughly equal on both sides of the argument. There are many quarrels within this one area including “should stem cell research be federally funded”, “is embryonic stem cell research ethical”, and “is the outcome of stem cell research worth it”? While there is no right or wrong answer to these questions, since the answer would vary depending on whom you ask, the argument regarding this topic remains quite passionate and heated.
Stem Cells in medicine date back to the early 19th century. Many physicians have conducted studies on stem cells and the use of stem cells in treating diseases. From the start of its discovery until today, stem cell research has progressed a lot. In fact, the use of stem cells to treat patients has already begun in hospitals like The Boston Children’s Hospital. You’re probably wondering what I’m talking about. In this article, I’ll help you understand: what are stem cells? Why are they important? What kinds of diseases can they treat? And Finally, I’ll reference you to a few websites that can help you better understand stem cells.
Within the past few years, scientist have made several breakthroughs with human stem cells. These breakthroughs have catapulted the issue of stem cell research into the middle of a national debate. Most people have no problem with the research itself, however the source of the stem cells (adult or human embryos) used in research is the primary cause of the debate. Some people feel that destroying an embryo is comparable to murder, even if the research it promotes may help people with serious illnesses. Other believe that an embryo is not a person and therefore research on an embryo is the same as research on any other group of cells.
Let’s look at in vitro fertilization, also known as the “in glass” baby technique. In a small hospital located in Oldham, Lancashire on July 25, 1978, baby Louise Joy Brown was born. She was born after her parents, Leslie and John Brown had spent nine years trying to conceive without any success. They had been referred to Dr. Patrick Steptoe and Dr. Robert Edwards in 1976. On November 10, 1977, Leslie Brown, underwent the very experimental procedure of IVF. Dr. Steptoe took and egg from Mrs. Brown using a laparoscope and Dr. Edwards then mixed Leslie’s egg with husband Jon’s sperm. Once fertilized, the egg is placed in a special solution while the cells divide, and then placed back into Leslie’s womb. It is safe to say that people will go to great lengths such as being a part of an experimental procedure which includes hormonal injections and a ...
Imagine a world where the diseases we know today are virtually eradicated, and where incurable injuries are a thing of the past. Even though this sounds like a science fiction movie, advances in modern science are making this statement more of a reality than a dream. This can be accomplished through stem cell therapy and cell differentiation. Stem cell therapy is like an intervention, in which new cells are introduced into the body or tissue in order to treat a disease or injury (Haldeman-Englet, Chad). Cell differentiation is the process in which a cell has the potential to become physically/fundamentally and functionally different from one another Also meaning they are pluripotent (Smith, S.E). These special cells have many uses, thus the nickname “The Golden Cell.” Scientists have been fascinated by stem cells for many years now, and why? What is so special about them? One: Their specific role in the body has yet to be determined. Two: Stem Cells can become almost any cell type. Three: Stem cells have the ability to proliferate almost indefinitely. Stem cells are now the centerpieces of regenerative medicine. This involves growing new cells, tissues, and organs to repair or replace those damaged by injury or disease (Knowles, Lori P.).
Research involving embryos is restricted to the first 14 days of development which is the point where the fetus starts to form. Further study can significantly increase mankind’s knowledge about human development, but there are difficulties continuing the studies due to the short time limit. After years of trying, a close cousin of mine is now pregnant, ecstatic that she finally has a chance to have the child she longed for. Her husband, with a look of despair recently told me about how there are studies that collect human embryos in an attempt to learn more about life only to destroy them after their usage expires. After seeing the anguish that they found in these studies, I became more interested in the topic. With the possibility of the
Lauritzen, Paul. Cloning and the Future of Human Embryo Research. Oxford: Oxford UP, 2001. Google Books. Web. 12 Feb. 2014. source 12 (google books)
Scientists believe that stem cell has an incredible potential to develop into many different cell types in the body throughout early life and growth. With all the controversy surrounding studies of stem cells, people miss the importance and benefits of stem cell use and how beneficial it is in the medical field. Stem cells have many applications for treating diseases and the potential to treat even more diseases in the future which scientist are working on. There are many benefits of using stem cell, there is a few studies that show to have been successful and has helped. With stem cells, you have the potential to reverse diseases, like heart attacks, Parkinson’s disease, and genetic defects. Stem cells can be used for laboratory growth of