The Pros And Cons Of Stem Cell Research

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On July 12, 2011, at UCLA’s Jules Stein Eye Institute, amazing progress was made in stem cell research when stem cells were injected into a human patient for the first time. Scientists injected retinal cells derived from embryonic stem cells into two progressively blind patients. The retinal cells traveled into the eye tissue and helped the photoreceptor cells get back to their normal function. This resulted in the patients’ visions improving as well as having no adverse effects (Park, 2012). Stem cells are cells that have no particular function and can therefore differentiate into any type of cell in the human body. Ever since Alexander A. Maximow discovered stem cells in the early 1900s, scientists have been intrigued and want to learn more about the potential of stem cells for new medical cures. There are four types of stem cells: embryonic stem cells, adult stem cells, perinatal stem cells, and bioengineered stem cells. Embryonic stem cells are derived from embryos, some which are the product of in vitro fertilization. Adult stem cells can be found in many tissues such as bone marrow and circulating blood. Perinatal stem cells are derived from umbilical cord blood. The most recent development by scientists is bioengineered stem cells, also known as induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS), which are created using ordinary tissues. Each type has different abilities to transform into a variety of tissues, which affects what it can be used to create. Stem cell research is controversial because during the process of extracting embryonic stem cells, the embryo is destroyed, which some people believe is terribly wrong. While there are many people who consider stem cell research immoral and equivalent to murder, ultimately stem cell rese...

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...help find cures for many of the incurable diseases that affect patients of all ages, such as Alzheimer’s, cancer, and diabetes. By using the excess embryos from IVF clinics, whose fates were to be destroyed at some point, the embryos/blastocysts are not pointlessly slaughtered. Also, research on stem cells could help scientists have a greater knowledge of biology and genetics as well as help them create safer drugs to prevent diseases before they start and spread. This topic is important to society because with more research, stem cells could raise the standard of living for people all over the world and one day create a healthy world without suffering. In order to help the world benefit from this amazing discovery, stem cell research should be funded by the government so that stem cells can one day create new treatments for the people suffering all over the world.

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