The Controversy Over Stem Cell Research

Stem cell research has been quite a controversial topic since its origin in the 1960s by Gopal Das and Joseph Altman. Of course, anything that uses a human embryo would be. Stem cell research could open a vast number of new doors for modern science, it could let us test new drugs, one of which could be the unfound cure for AIDS or Alzheimer’s disease. However, this branch of science comes at a high price, the price of a human life that is only five to six days

Stem cells are defined as the population of cells within an organism that retains its ability to divide and differentiate into various cell types. Since the early 1980s, scientists have researched the use of stem cells in the treatment of various human diseases such as cancer and diabetes. The research has sparked a controversial debate worldwide due to the nature of stem cell research and the source of pluripotent stem cells used in research. Stem cell research is a necessity, despite the source of pluripotent stem cells, because the research has led to breakthrough information involving the treatment diseases and injuries and the use of stem cells to replace damaged cells.

Embryonic stem cell research is a controversial topic nationwide, because of its clash of ethical and moral values. Many people, including those suffering from diseases that this research is seeking to cure, do not believe in killing a living embryo in order to advance research and science.

Scientists need the opportunity for research and they have researched that stem cells can do a lot of things such as having the potential to treat many diseases. (Devitt 14)

The pros on Stem Cell Research is the cells can be replaced for the benefit of an illness or condition in

Stem cells are cells that have the potential to develop into different types of cells in the body. Stem cells also act as a repair system for many tissues in the body by dividing repeatedly to replenish other cells within a person (National Institutes of Health). Stem cell research seeks to further the advancement of the use of stem cells as well as to find an ethical way to study them. In November 1998, researchers found a way to isolate and culture human embryonic stem cells, (Bevington 2005). The ethics of stem cell research has been debated over the years and some people fully support the use of stem cells, whereas others are completely against the use of stem cells. This has been an ongoing battle for scientists over the span of two decades prior to the 1998 finding.

Bioengineering has been a growing field over the past few years. The new advances and research that result from bioengineer can solve problems deemed impossible before. Engineers have been working on new technology that utilizes stem cells to treat disease and save lives. The stem cells used in treatment are called embryonic stem cells. Embryonic stem cells are formed from five-day old human embryos. The usage of embryonic stem cells has caused controversy from pro-life advocates who believe embryos to be a human life; and the use of embryonic stem cells immoral. Despite the beliefs of pro-life advocates who consider the use of stem cells murder, the usage of stem cells for medical and scientific research and advancements is absolutely ethical.

The positive uses for stem cells are extremely beneficial. Stem cells are used to treat many cases like blood disorders, muscle disorders, certain cancers, and more diseases (NIH). They have been proven to save many lives. The clinical trials range from uses for leukemia, to uses for spinal cord injuries. A famous story involves the popular boxer Lamon Brewster. Brewster was injured in a fight and lost vision in his left eye and he soon began to receive stem cell implants as treatment. After months of treatment, his vision began to return. This is just one of many success stories involved with stem cells, though not all treatments involving stem cells are always this

In the long run, it will benefit people who have been injured. After the stem cells have been tested repeatedly, it is safe to say that they are harmless to the people who are given the new stem cells. Instead of living life with a disability or a life threatening disease, lab assisted stem cells will improve the person’s life immensely. An example of this would be the scientists and government officials using the newly produced stem cells as regenerative medicine. Scientists are trying to make the experiments better for everyone by meeting the people who are opposing it halfway, “Scientists hope that within a few years, such as iPSCs will be available as a non-controversial alternative to blastocyst-deprived human embryonic stem cell,” (Schlager and Lauer, 3). If the scientists are willing to compromise, the people who are against it should try to compromise as

Now I will get into more direct benefits of stem cell research. Pluripotent stem cells can be directed to develop into almost any kind of tissue, and this creates the possibility for a renewable source of replacement tissues and cells. What does that mean? We would be able to better treat and cure a large number of diseases and injuries including but not limited to: Parkinson?s, Alzheimer?s, spinal cord injury, stroke, burns, heart disease, diabetes, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. I have included an example taken from the National Institute of Health?s Primer on Stem Cells:

Stem cells have the potential to impact the medical field changing the way we see science and medicine. It’s necessary to understand stem cells, the possible uses and differences. Stem cells transform to certain tissues types depending on the ones surrounding them. Certain stem cells have the ability to repair damaged tissue, which in long term can impact those with severe medical conditions. Like any other medical field. Stem cell research is very complex and consists of various data. Stem cell research is moderately new and had had various success stories in the past 50 years. The idea was put forward in 1908 by Alexander Maksimou. Maksimou created a theory establishing stem cells as being able to transform to other cells being the start of reparation of tissue.

Stem cells are a large focus of study in today's biomedical world. Stem cell research offers the hope of transplants being done without the sacrifice of another person losing an organ. There are many different pros and cons when it comes to discussing the use of stem cells.

seem to be able to become any kind of cell. Adult stem cells can only

Stem cell research has caused a big ethical debate across the nation. The stem cell lines developed for stem cell research are established from embryos after fertilization. An embryo is then divided into individual cells to create a stem cell line. From the embryo, one cell is placed in a dish and nourished with substances that stimulate the cell to divide, then the resulting line will then continue to divide in a managed environment and if taken care of properly (Creating Stem Cells For Research). The stem cells created can then be used to replace damaged cells. The United States Congress should support stem cell research for helping cure diseases but not for the experimentation of human cloning.

Even though of their properties they should be treated with respect like humans or a living person. “Embryonic stem cell research takes away the chance of an embryo to become a human being.” Also they have not been proved to be successful. There is very few stories of researchers to say that the stems cells have cured diseases. In fact, they can cause tumor formation, reporters have reported the difficulty of these cells. There can be a possible rejection of recipients to the stem cells. According to the reports the federal government fund has spent $500 million in human embryonic cell research. Anyways there is other alternative way to culture cells, which is with adult cells. They can save lives and can help look for new ways to cure diseases without destructing an embryo. (14 Key Pros and Cons of Embryo Stem Cell