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Essay On Fetal Tissue

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Fetal Tissue Fetal tissue research is a particularly sensitive topic of discussion. It is a catalyst for fierce debates between vehement individuals on opposing sides. With such an exceedingly hot topic, the pros and cons are bound to be strong. The use of fetal tissue has allowed scientists to make many advancements, but the issues that arise from its utilization have long been discussed. In the world of science, the goal is to cure or eliminate all harmful diseases. This has led scientists to discover effective treatments that involve fetal tissue: “Researchers ... found fetal tissue potentially useful in treating Alzheimer’s disease, Huntington’s chorea, spinal cord injuries, diabetes mellitus, leukemia, Down’s syndrome, Tay-Sachs disease, hemophilia, epilepsy, cancer, Rh incompatibility, and perhaps even brain damage caused by an accident or stroke” (Bell). Also, fetal tissue use is …show more content…

These cells can quickly transform into the desired ones: “Most fetal cells are hyperproliferative and multipotent meaning that these donor cells are capable of quickly reversing the lost function of a host organ” (Sanders et al.). Moreover, they offer a “low immunogenic threat to the cellular defenses of the host” (Sanders et al.). This means that they’re ideal for developing prevention methods such as vaccines. It was invaluable in the development of the polio and rubella vaccines in the 1950s and 1960s (Sanders et al.). The use of fetal tissue in research has allowed for many advancements in the medical world. Just as what goes up must come down, anything that has benefits must have disadvantages as is the case with fetal tissue. There are constraints on the amount of available tissue, and “researchers are not always able to fill their need” for it (Bell). This arises from miscarriages typically not occurring in a “hospital or clinic where the tissue could be harvested;” when there

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