Scientists are attempting to expand on stem cell research, while aspiring towards new medical advancements, but Maryland is questioning State-funded research (Department of Legislative Services, Office of Information Systems [DLSOIS], 2011). Stem cells have the ability to regenerate themselves and produce specialized cell types (Academy of Sciences, 2009). After a stem cell divides, the stem cell can continue to exist as a stem cell, or turn into a unique cell, like a red blood cell (Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2011). Stem cells have the capability to replace damaged cells, which can improve detrimental heath issues, such as cancer and cardiovascular disease (IOH, 2011). A bill has been proposed to the Maryland General Assembly, which requested the Maryland Technology Development Corporation (TEDCO) and the Stem Cell Research Commission to report to the public on the progress of State-funded stem cell research by holding an annual public symposium, at which each recipient of money from the Stem Cell Research Fund must present research results. (DLSOIS, 2011). There are two types of stem cells: embryonic and adult(IOH, 2011). Embryonic cells, commonly referred to as blastocysts, are removed and placed into a culture dish with a special liquid, stimulating growth (IOH, 2011). Stem cells can be produced through in vitro fertilization or nuclear transfer (Academy of Sciences, 2009). In vitro fertilization allows for the removal of a woman’s eggs, which are then either implanted in the womb or placed in freezers for storage (Academy of Sciences, 2009). In vitro fertilization could be used to produce blastocysts and promote the isolation of stem cells with particular genetic traits, which woul... ... middle of paper ... ..., 2011. (2011, January 20). What are the similarities and differences between embryonic and adult stem cells? [Stem Cell Information]. NIH Stem Cell Information Home Page. Retrieved November 14, 2011, from http://stemcells.nih.gov/info/basics/bas National Center for Biotechnology Information. Medical Encyclopedia. (2010, August 14). Cancer - PubMed Health. Retrieved November 14, 2011, from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhe Ribera, J. (2011). Acute lymphoblastic leukemia in adults. National Center for Biotechnology Information. Retrieved November 14, 2011, from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/ articles/PMC3206531/?tool=pubmed Siegel, A. (2009.). Ethics of Stem Cell Research (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy).Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Retrieved November 14, 2011, from http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/stem-cells/#EthCreEmbForSteCelResTh
with the incredible potential of stem cell research. Stem cells are like blank cells that can take the form of other kinds of cells. This gives them the ability to heal damaged areas, or grow replacement tissue for tissue that has been diseased. Stem cells can come from several different places, some of which cause lots of controversy and ethical debate. Because of this, stem cell research is not federally funded by the United States government. But, stem cell research has tons of potential and should
There has been a great debate on whether there should be federal funding for stem cell research over the last decade. This has been a very controversial subject because in order to obtain stem cells, scientists must destroy a human embryo; making this a subject ripe with emotional turmoil. For close to three decades, the status on funding for stem cell research has remained in limbo. In 1973, the Supreme Court ruled that abortion is legal in the first two trimesters, a decision made in the famous
this exact scenario, speaking out for the necessity of stem cell research for diseases like his until his death. Given the clear essentiality of embryonic stem cell research to our progression as a medically and humanely advanced society, actions must be taken to encourage its development. The U.S. government should promote stem cell research by increasing federal funding of private research, legalizing certain methods of embryonic stem cell extraction, and educating
Are embryonic stem cells the cure to many of the human body’s ailments, including defective organs and crippling diseases, or is their use a blatant disregard of human rights and the value of life? Thanks to the rapid advancements in this field, the potential benefits of stem cells are slowly becoming reality. However, embryonic stem cell research is an extremely divisive topic in the United States thanks to the ethical issues surrounding terminating embryos to harvest the stem cells. In response
Stem Cell Research is Illegal, Immoral and Unnecessary President Bush's limited federal funding of research relying on the destruction of human embryos violates federal statutory law. Christians have grieved for many years over the assault on unborn human life set loose upon our nation by the Supreme Court's Roe v. Wade decision. Even that decision, however, did not affect all areas of law where lawmakers seek to protect developing human life. Because they are not covered by the Court's theory
or paralyzed. Embryonic stem cell research is a part of biomedical science and has the potential to ease the suffering of sick people by curing diseases and defects, creating organs and tissue for patients needing transplants or skin grafts, regenerating axons in spinal cord injuries, and creating new treatments, drugs, and immunizations. However, America’s government does not support this research to an extent that would make a difference in medicine; only a few stem cell lines are authorized, and
The discoveries of embryonic stem, ES, cells in 1998 by James A. Thomson, a biologist at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, was a great breakthrough for the medical world, showing great promise in the field of stem cell research. This is because they have the capacity to become any type of cell tissue in the body. To the medical world the opportunities seems endless. However, there is a great deal of debate by some who question the moral and ethical use of ES cells, believing that life begins at
voters was the battle over embryonic stem cell research. In the weeks leading up to the election, polls were indicating that 47 percent of Bush supporters agreed that the destruction of embryo cells is unethical; however, 53 percent of Bush voters supported stem cell research. The overwhelming majority of Kerry backers also supported stem cell research, indicating that the majority of American voters support stem cell research. Embryonic stem cell research, while still in its infancy, has the
Stem cell research is a type of medical research. The fundamental element of stem cell research is the stem cell. A stem cell is a type of cell that you have as an embryo and it is capable of turning into any type of cell. In stem cell research you can either use a chemical solution on an adult cell, causing it to revert back into a stem cell, or you can use an embryo to obtain stem cells. Now that you have all of the basic information, you can understand stem cell research better. Stem cell research
Politics and Stem Cell Research The President’s Council on Bioethics published “Monitoring Stem Cell Research” in 2004. This report was written in response to President Bush’s comments regarding research of human stem cells on August 9, 2001. President Bush announced that he was going to make federal funding available for research that involved existing lines of stem cells that came from embryos. He is the first president to provide any type of financial support for the research of human stem cells
"Stem cell research is the key to developing cures for degenerative conditions like Parkinson's and motor neuron disease from which I and many others suffer." -- Stephen Hawking As college students, it is important that we know and care about the issue of stem cell research. Stem cell research is currently legal in most countries. The United States, normally a leader in new frontiers, is one of the last to explore this territory. As it is slowly being pushed forward, we are going to have to know
Researchers purposely began paralyzing mice by giving them contusions (a type of spinal cord injury caused by great impact to the spinal cord) and injected the sites of damage with a plethora of different stems cells in combination with intensive therapy. This aids in producing a nerve-insulating substance called myelin that can lead to functional improvements in animals with spinal cord injury. Overtime, helplessly paralyzed mouse legs were slowly but surely
Embryonic Stem Cell Research Is A Growing Complication Over the past couple years, scientist have continued research on embryonic stem cells, but there is still lots of controversy that accompanies this research. While research has grown to be more successful, it has also become more difficult to face controversies. These controversies mostly consist of funding and issues of differing moralities. There have been projects where funding was pulled because of people’s believing in different moralities
the research teams of the EuroStemCell project teach in their educational short film A Stem Cell Story, there are certain stages of development while in the uterus where most of our cells stop dividing and stabilize into a specific kind of cell. They do not mutate throughout our life. These cells are referred to as specialized cells. Once they are damaged or die they cannot regenerate themselves. There is one kind of cell that never specializes during development. They are called stem cells and they
Stem Cell Research: A Hot Button There are people who enjoy the fact that they can use their own bone marrow and stem cells to treat themselves. There are many diseases and injuries that stem cells may be able to cure. Alone there are positive outcomes using stem cells, there stands debate on the use of embryonic stem cells. Embryonic stem cells should be used to sustain life because they can rebuild organs despite the concerns. Now, stem cells might sound like a great thing, but what are they