The Benefits of Stem Cell Research

Despite the heated controversy that surrounds this research, the results of countless experiments have had proven success. Therefore, it seems unreasonable that stem cell research would not be the most viable option when considering the treatment of diseases and injuries. A pressing need for treatments to previously incurable illnesses can be addressed through ardent research of embryonic stem cells. The continuation and support of embryonic stem cell research is crucial in the field of regenerative medicine, and in the effort to save human lives.

Stem cells are specially grown cells in order to help diseased patients grow better tissue in hopes of their survival and recovery. These cells can be derived though many different procedures. Extracting stem cells from a fetal embryo has proved to be the easiest and most efficient way of researching the ability of stem cells. The problem with this technique is that stem cells, derived from a human fetal embryo, destroys it from the lack of cells for the growing fetus. Although there are other resources for obtaining these stem cells through bone marrow and blood from adults it is hard to research these new techniques under the bans that President Bush has put upon the study.

They include: Embryonic Stem Cells (ESCs), Adult Stem Cells (ASCs), Cancer Stem Cells (CSCs), and induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs) (Rhine). Embryonic stem cells are the center of debate (“The Stem Cell Deb... ... middle of paper ... ...t stem cells show promise and hope for people with life threatening diseases (Stem Cell Basics”). Patients’ own cells can be used and stimulated to form induced pluripotent stem cells (“The Stem Cell Debate: is it over?”). Advancements in technology and have only have proven the desire of many scientists to perform research. Embryonic stem cells have advantages because they would be toxin free, but adult stem cells are just as capable (Simmonds).

In contrast, if the promoter is not functioning correctly, it could cause cell division too often thus causing the same effects as cancer. There are many steps to fixing a gene, scientists cannot move on to step two until they have successfully completed step one. Among these technical holdups, research in biotechnology has run into serious problems. In his article titled “Human Gene Therapy: Harsh Lessons, High Hopes”, Larry Thompson, tells of more setbacks the industry has come upon.

They all have the potential to be treated with some form of stem cell therapy, but they also have the potential to be worsened by the effects of stem cell therapy. Why was only embryonic research federal funding banned? Furthermore, why ban funding on stem cells when they could potentially save millions of lives? Embryonic Stem cell research should continue to be federally funded because it is the most effective and has the most potential among the other forms of stem cell research to produce treatments in people. The source in which the stem cells are extracted from is the controversial part that comes into play.

However, the main issue still stands whether the killing of an embryo is a necessity in order to obtain stem cells. Though it is possible to obtain stem cells from other means, but most researchers find embryonic stem cells the best and most prosperous for medicinal research. The main question still stands whether its predicated affects are enough to justify the concerns of its unethicality. Since I am focusing on primarily embryonic stem cell research which raises issues of unethicality, I was wondering if I should or could compare my issue to that of abortion, since both are primarily dealing with killing of an organism (but it’s debatable whether an embryo is matured enough to undoubtedly be considered a human being). However, I believe that if I do raise the question of abortion, it will lose focus on my specific topic, which is embryonic stem cell research.

Because stem cells are unspecialized, they can replace any cell in any part of the body, so as to have a cure for many diseases. There are strong arguments torward both sides of the debate, and stem cell research deserves much more attention from the public than it is getting, for it has a chance to cure many diseases; however, it is inhumane, and there are a few, weak, possible solutions to fix this problem. Stem cells are unspecialized cells that divide into different cell types. (Stem cell - about). For many years, scientists have been researching stem cells to see how they can treat different health issues, such as causes and cures for birth defects, cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, spinal cord injury, heart disease, diabetes, and arthritis (Stem Cells - diseases).

Obtaining the cells results in the main conflict that the world has about using embryonic stem cells. The cells are obtained from human embryos. Consequently, the general consensus about why embryonic stem cells should not be used stems from the belief that to obtain an embryonic stem cell the destruction... ... middle of paper ... ...t). Embryonic stem cells has led to numerous advancements, not only in the treatments of diseases, but also in their understanding. However, these cells lack the funding necessary that will allow them to reach their full potential in regards to research and that is one thing that will be hard to change.

Adult stem cells, however, are rare and more difficult to detect and isolate. The discovery and isolation of embryonic stem cells has led to debate over whether it is right to use cells taken from human embryos for research. People have expressed concern about using human embryos and collecting some of their cells. Some people consider embryos already to be human beings. The embryos are destroyed in the process of isolating the stem cells.

This is because I feel that through reading about this topic from many different sources, there are so many more positive things that come from stem cell research. However since this is a well-known topic across the nation I have also come across some arguments against stem cell research. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, stem cell is a generic cell that can make exact copies of itself indefinitely. A stem cell has the ability to make specialized cells for various tissues in the body, such as heart muscle, brain tissue, and liver tissue. Stem cells can be saved and used later to make specialized cells, when needed (par.