Embryonic Stem Cell Research Persuasive Speech

Think for a moment. Imagine the cure for Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, heart disease, spinal injuries and almost every other cruel disease being at the world’s fingertips, but no further research is being done to interpret the use of these treatments. The miracle cure for many terminal illnesses is embryonic stem cells, which are in theory nothing but a ball of around 100-150 cells, yet numerous countries across the world have made their use illegal because it is ‘unethical’.

Do the benefits of stem cell research and more specifically embryonic stem cell therapy outweigh the ethical controversies? Answer/Thesis Claim: Stem cell research and therapy is a promising field being held back by ethical issue. Stem cells are a regenerative medicine that can cure numerous diseases such as, cancer, diabetes, leukemia. The main ethical question society presents is, when does life start and what is ethical? The future of medicine and abolishment of diseases is being halted by ethical stigmas, once society accepts this form of regenerative medicine disease control and abolishment will be available.

Embryonic Stem Cell Research are pluripotent stem cells derived from the inner cell mass of a blastocyst. I believe that the use of Embryonic Stem Research is beneficial to society because these cells have unlimited potential. They can allow permanent repair to failing organs by injecting healthy cells into the damaged organ. They also can used for finding and preventing cures for cancers, Parkinson’s disease, birth defects, spinal cord injuries, and strokes. However, Stem Cell Research is a controversial topic, especially when referring to Embryonic Stem Cell Research.

Embryonic stem cell research is a very controversial topic in today’s world. A stem cell is

Many, as of currently incurable diseases plague the Earth. Thanks to technological advancements and better understandings of cells, scientists believe that it may be possible to cure diseases by the use of embryonic stem cells. Embryonic stem cells are cells obtained from an embryo when they are only a few days old. Because they have only begun to differentiate, these cells have the capability of developing into any cell in the human body, and that's why they can be used for the progression of medicine. Scientists hope to cure some diseases but if that isn't possible they at least hope to create treatments using them.

“Embryonic stem cell research will prolong life, improve life, and give hope for life to millions of people,” said politician Jim Ramstad. This is a very powerful statement, and a very accurate statement. The solution to curing many diseases is just around the corner because of the advancements in embryonic stem cell research. The much needed support of society can speed up the progression of this research so lives can start to be saved. Embryonic stem cell research should be pursued because it has the potential to help or even cure many diseases, shows more promise than adult stem cells, and is morally ethical.

Stem-cell research is a complex subject. First of all you need to know there are three main categories of stem cells. Embryonic, Fetal and Adult; not everyone is for or against all of these types. There are different sets on pros and cons to each of these types and I will address a few for each type. I believe the pros outweigh the cons in each of these and stem cell research is very beneficial for medical purposes.

Stem cells are defined as “mother cells that have the potential to become any new type of cell in the body” (Cashin-Garbutt). It sounds like a tool that can be used to help another’s health, yet it is a hot issue in the modern science world. The stem cells come from spare embryo’s, existing cell lines, and therapeutic cells (EuroStemCell). Therapeutic cloning stem cells aren’t even used in patients yet and existing cell lines are well accepted. There are adult stem cells, and embryotic stem cells. The controversy surrounded by the topic comes with the embryotic stem cells. Embryo stem cells are moral, they help those with life-taking diseases, and often times there are extra embryos that are used.

The question that has been asked so many times, is stem cell research ethical? To argue ethics over this topic, one must first know what a stem cell is.Stem Cells are “cells with the ability to divide for indefinite periods in culture and to give rise to specialized cells” (Stem Cell Basics: Introduction). The National Institutes of Health say that stem cells are distinguished for two different reasons. The first is “they are unspecialized cells capable of renewing themselves through cell division, sometimes after long periods of inactivity” (Murnaghan). The other is they can be induced to become tissue- or organ-specific cells with special functions. In some situations they can repair and replace worn out or damaged tissues. The two different embryonic stem cells and non-embryonic "somatic" or "adult" stem cells. The controversy lies in whether or not using embryonic cells is ethical.

It's true that this stem cells cure damaged cells. But it comes with a price. Why kill embryo to cure other human being. We should consider that that embryo is another human too. There should be another alternative as always. We should start thinking and try to come up with another solution, so that both the embryo and the person could survive.

The controversy about stem cell research is the concept that the research itself is “unethical” because it involves the development and usage, and possibly destruction of human embryos. This is not true for most methods of stem cell research. As stated

When you ask most people, stem cell research and transplants don’t mean anything to them, and some don’t even know what stem cells are. Are you one of those people? Are you somebody who is completely blind to the hope this wonderful thing can bring? Stem cells are special cells your body creates that have specific purposes. As said perfectly by the Mayo Clinic staff, “Stem cells are the body's raw materials — cells from which all other cells with specialized functions are generated“(1). These cells can be used for so many different things. Stem cell research (SCR) and transplants (SCT) can cure diseases or lessen them, and use stem cells in an effective and ethical way.

In the past decade, stem cell research has gained popularity in the biomedical field. Many scientists believe stem cells could be the breakthrough tool that is necessary to change the way we understand medicine. The same scientists feel stem cells, embryonic in particular, open the door for many opportunities to cure diseases that are otherwise known as incurable. However, the benefits of embryonic stem cell research do not outweigh the value of a life that never gets to begin. While there can be benefits to stem cell research, embryonic stem cell research is unethical because stem cells can be found in other places, the research is not always effective, and it ultimately destroys a human life.

In today’s generation technology is the key point in all of our lives. With all those new technological inventions a huge percent of those inventions refer to the medical field.

Imagine being diagnosed with a life threatening or life changing disease, such as Leukemia or Alzheimer's and all hope has been lost, until someone tells you that stem cells could save your life. Stem cell research should be allowed because they can be used to cure various diseases, save lives with stem cell operations, and can be used for further research. Scientists continue to study this controversial topic to develop ways besides using embryonic stem cells so the use of stem cells altogether is more accepted throughout society.