Support Embryonic Stem Cell Research

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President Obama acted appropriately when he signed legislation to reverse the ban restricting use of use of embryonic stem cells for research. The benefits of embryonic stem cell research for the advance of medicine are far greater than moral and ethical concerns raised by many. Using unwanted embryos in the blastocyst stage for research enables scientists to perform valuable studies that could ultimately result in the development of a cure for many ailments that plaque us or our loved ones. Embryonic stem cell research has shown to offer monumental therapeutic potential for repairing damaged organs. In 2001, President Bush signed legislation preventing the use of Federal funds on new stem cell lines of embryonic stem cells. Lines currently in place could still be used. Additionally, the legislation prevented scientist who were studying under federally funded grants from performing experiments using embryonic stem cell. Laboratories supplemented by Federal funds, could not perform research using embryonic stem cells, or use equipment purchased with Federal funds for the research. This legislation was a major setback for the research, but did not completely stop it. Scientists continued to use the stem cell lines in place before the legislative restrictions for their research. In 2009, President Obama reversed the ban prohibiting the use of Federal funds for embryonic stem cell research, lifting the restrictions. The NIH (National Institute of Health) oversees the research, to ensure its integrity. President Obama recognized the sensitivity of this issue, but proceeded to reverse the ban, despite the protest of pro-life and certain religious groups who argue against the use of embryonic stem cells for research on moral and ethi... ... middle of paper ... ... find it very exciting to imagine what treatments may be available to future generations, made possible through stem cell research. I encourage anyone opposed to embryonic stem cell research based on basic information taken from a news report, to do the research. Imagine what a difference finding a cure for many diseases could make in the healthcare crisis our country currently faces. I encourage you to consider this as you go to the polls next year to elect our next President. Works Cited Frequently Asked Questions. “Stem Cell Research”. UMich.edu November 16, 2011 Web. Knowles, Lori P. “The Use of Human Embryos in Stem Cell Research” in Stem Cell Network Stemcellschool.org November 16, 2011 Web Stem Cell Basics. In “Stem Cell Information” Bethesda, MD: National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2009 November 16, 2011 Web.

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