Stem Cell Research Persuasive Speech

With the discovery of stem cells in 1981, scientists are a step ahead in uncovering the solution to the repair of damaged tissues and organs. In that same year, scientists gained the ability to discover the methods required to obtain an embryonic cell from a mouse embryo. Using previously gained knowledge of the mouse embryo, scientists were able to improve their experiments concerning stem cells. Scientist, James A. Thomson and his fellow colleagues at the University of Wisconsin-Madison were able to establish the first human embryonic stem cell. These stem cells have the capacity to split into specialized cell types that can be retrieved from two different sources: embryos and adult tissues and cells. Our medical field should prioritized

In addition, it is stated that fertilized eggs created during in-vitro fertilization would be thrown away eventually and could be put to better use for scientific research. “ But many argue that the embryo should not be regarded as a human life or, even so, that its destruction is justified by a greater good—potentially life-saving medical advances—that may result” (Funk & Wagnalls New World Encyclopedia). In other words, the fertilized egg will eventually be killed whether it being for the purpose of stem cell research or being thrown away eventually with no use. Instead of throwing the fertilized egg, scientists can use these embryonic cells in experiments that can further their knowledge in stem cells. With the use of stem cell research, scientist in the future will be able to find cures for diseases and repair damaged

In 1953, a Maine scientist, Leroy Stevens, performed a cancer research on lab rats, where he discovered large tumors in their scrotums, a pouch of skin containing the animal’s testicles. Scientist later concluded these cells were pluripotent, embryonic stem cells, that can differentiate into any cell found in a grown animal. In 1968, at the University of Minnesota, Robert A. Good performed the first successful bone marrow transplant with the help of stem cells, on a child suffering from an immune deficiency that had killed many in his family. The boy who received the bone marrow had grown up into a healthy adult. As of 1971, Scientists identified stem cells in mice and had reported success in growing mouse embryonic stem cells in the laboratory (Funk & Wagnalls New World Encyclopedia, 2017). With the discovery and knowledge based on the lab rats, scientist found a method to derive stem cells from human embryos and were able to grow them in laboratories (Zneimar). Experiments extend scientists’ knowledge and research on stem cells which lead to new improvements based on stem cell research. These are just a few examples of how scientists have advanced their knowledge on stem cells with the help of experiments which brings them a step ahead of finding the cure to many harmful diseases like