Stem cell research is a controversial, yet fascinating field of study. The examination of stem cells has captivated political, scientific, and public interest for many decades. Therefore, numerous scientific research studies have been done to determine the exact purpose of stem cells, as well as their beneficial properties. Stem cells have been noted as powerful deterrents when studying and fighting against disease. It is understood that almost every cell in a person’s body has one main function. For example, a red blood cell is always classified as a red blood cell; a neuron is forever described as a neuron. Also, bone marrow stem cells can differentiate themselves into only a few types of various blood cells. Many venues are open to …show more content…
. . scientists believe they may lead to a new era of regenerative medicine, in which sick people effectively replace their damaged parts. (46)
The importance of stem cell research includes the possibility of treating patients with life threatening diseases. The benefits of this scientific research are endless, yet many obstacles remain that could halt the entire process. Leo Furcht, chair of the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology at the University of Minnesota Medical School, and William Hoffman, writer and editor, give their opinion on the stem cell dilemma. Furcht and Hoffman argue that the clinical reality is evident, in that stem cells contribute to help treat many health problems (21). Although considerable progress has been made with the minimal resources available, restrictive laws and insufficient funding influence the ability to continue this fundamental research.
The supply of money required to carry on the initial investment is not easy to obtain. Pam Solo, founder and president of the Civil Society Institute, as well as Gail Pressberg, a senior fellow at the Civil Society Institute, discuss the proposed fate of stem cell research. Solo and Pressberg state, “Although the general public continues to voice support for stem cell research, there has been little support from the United
Stem Cell research and its funding have caused a lot of controversy throughout the past years. Stem cells are cells that are present in all living organisms. These cells have the potential to grow into any type of cell, including blood cells, nerves, muscles, and pancreatic cells. Stem cell research is essential because of the beneficial aspects it has to offer. Stem cells could potentially treat conditions such as Alzheimer 's, Parkinson 's, birth defects, strokes, Diabetes, cancer, and help in the reconstruction of severely damaged organs. Although stem cell research withholds great potential for many medical advances, a lot of controversy surrounds the sources and methods of obtaining stem cells and the possibility of improper usage of the knowledge acquired from research and experimentation. It is necessary for scientist to continue research as well as recognizing any ethical issues that may be present.
The transfer of information, often shared through scientific reports and research, puts this topic in a highly international spotlight. Many supporters believe that stem cells will be able to help solve once untreatable diseases or injuries such as spinal cord injuries, skin burns, Parkinson’s disease, and some blood disorders. However, the main argument is if stem cells should be used in finding therapeutic treatments. The use of embryonic stem cells is viewed by many as a moral inconsistency; it is opposed by religious organizations and individuals believing that this research should be abandoned and existing, alternative methods be adapted.
Stem cell research has been quite a controversial topic since its origin in the 1960s by Gopal Das and Joseph Altman. Of course, anything that uses a human embryo would be. Stem cell research could open a vast number of new doors for modern science, it could let us test new drugs, one of which could be the unfound cure for AIDS or Alzheimer’s disease. However, this branch of science comes at a high price, the price of a human life that is only five to six days
In preparation for this thesis on the topic of stem research and application; I gathered data through various methods to reach a broad consensus on the public impression of stem cell research. In this chapter I will discuss the findings of those ventures and the impressions it made on my research. I conducted a survey asking general information on the public’s knowledge of stem cell research and held a classroom forum asking for open opinions on research.
Stem cells have become a subject of much interest and debate in politics, the scientific
Medicine has evolved tremendously over the past few centuries, but there are still many bodily conditions that are yet to be treatable. However, the use of adult stem cells is proving to be an extremely effective method to cure a wide range of medical disorders. While little funding is available for stem cell research, the outcomes are beginning to look promising. In the article, “Adult Stem Cells Are Already Curing Diseases,” Jean Peduzzi Nelson, a stem cell researcher from Wayne State University, argues for more funding and research in the area of stem cells. She presents instances in which stem cells have worked to help cure certain conditions and backs her argument with data to support her reasoning. Nelson’s argument sufficiently persuades readers of the necessity of stem cell use as she begins and concludes her argument convincingly, gives the reader some insight as to how stem cells work, and uses personal examples to demonstrate how stem cells have directly helped cure certain medical conditions.
Controversy surrounding research and therapeutic use of stem cells has been a contentious and socially polarizing matter for a few decades. Arguments lie largely between the scientific community and the general public, although intragroup disagreements also persist today. These disparate views for and against stem cells arise out of the bioethical implications of an inchoate innovation, the general public’s tenuous understanding of the underlying technology itself, and sociopolitical ideologies. Due to the somewhat aged debate, recent revelations and advancements have changed the principle arguments and should be addressed accordingly.
In the past two decades, many technological and scientific advances have been made in order to make life easier for many people who suffer from cancer, disease and sickness. Among these advances there is something revolutionary called stem cells. Stem cells can help restore and regenerate almost all parts of the human body such as the heart, kidney, liver, and many other organs. Although stem cells offer a lot, there are many views against and for stem cells, and among these views lies the debate of whether stem cells should be legalized or not (NIH 2). Stem cells offer exciting new opportunities in the field of science such as regenerating human body parts, but many people are still debating whether or not the use of stem cells is
“How can the use of stem cells be so controversial?”, one may ask. If the stem cells are donated out of free will or were going to be destroyed anyway, how can putting them to better use be controversial? Sure, a potential life must be destroyed to save a life, but only before one can tell that it is a human. Should the use of stem cells for medical research and use be regulated? These questions and more will be discussed and pondered throughout this paper.
A brief introduction to stem cells; Stem cells are cells that are undifferentiated, or, simply put, a cell that has not yet been given a job, such as cells that create molecules. In recent years, scientists have discovered the potency that stem cells contain, due to their versatility. For example, stem cells could be studied and used to cure a man of liver disease, a child’s handicap, a woman’s breast cancer, etc…, etc…. One may now be asking themselves? “That’s great… then why are so many people against stem cell research? What could possibly be the drawback? “. You see, stem cells are acquired by human embryos, or, in Layman’s Terms, unborn fetuses. Take for
Stem cell research is extremely prevalent in today’s society, and on the other hand controversial. When thinking of stem cell research many questions, and challenges arise from it. Some problems that arise from the topic of stem cell research involves, religious beliefs, personal, and ethical beliefs. In the next few paragraphs the facts of stem cell research will be mentioned, and questions will be answered with factual evidence.
One of the biggest problems that biomedical scientists struggle with today is finding a cure to cancer. Thousands of scientists across the world devote their time and resources to solving this puzzle and saving thousands of lives. Over the last few decades, technology and medicine has advanced significantly increasing the life expectancy of the average human life. However, further steps need to be taken to achieve what doctors and scientists have set out to accomplish. In order to do this, many believe that embryonic stem cell research could be the key to unlocking a variety of medical problems. However, in the early 2000’s, the United States saw a significant decrease in federal funding available for this research. This could set back the medical advances by years if researchers could not continue their work. A decrease in restrictions while increasing federal funding for embryonic stem cell research is vital for taking steps forward in ethically finding cures for many injuries and diseases that affect millions of people every day.
The process when stem cells give rise to blood cells, or any other specialized cells, is called differentiation (“Stem Cell Basics”). Stem Cells’ ability of differentiation can be targeted and directed to generate tissue and therefore to cure degenerative diseases (Panno 24-28). However, such medical promise faces the doubts and gives rise to disputes. In fact, federal funds for stem cell research were banned under President Bush’s administration, but the ban was then lifted by President Obama’s administration (Obama). Despite the different arguments, more medical trials should be conducted with embryonic stem cells in order to determine whether the medical promise is applicable or far-fetched.
CM: Stem cell research is now a very demanding practice in which there just simply is not enough women willing to donate their, for a lack of better words, babies.
Stem cell research has cultivated a new, miraculous study in the health field. The study has led to an increase in curing diseases over the past couple of decades. Before stem cell research, diseases were destroying and devastating lives continuously on end. With the use of stem cells in modern time, diseases are no longer taking control of lives. The innovation in biomedical technology, such as stem cell research, has greatly impacted the understanding of how diseases can be treated, how drugs can be tested, how more careers will be available in the future, and how newborns can safely provide help. Stem cells are cells that give rise to all other cells in the body with a specialized function. Blood cells, muscle cells, and the cells of internal organs all form from stem cells. There are several sources of stem cells found in the body. Two known sources of stem cells are the embryonic stem cell and the adult stem cell. Embryonic stem cells are found in embryos three to five days old. This means that they are able to divide into more stem cells, or become any specialized cell in the body at this early stage. Adult stem cells are rare, but not uncommon. These adult stem cells are found in low numbers amongst all adult tissues. However, these cells are most commonly found in bone marrow and fat. Unlike embryonic stem cells, adult stem cells have limited ability to breeding other cell