Stem Cell Research : A Controversial Topic Discussing Life Or Death

Stem cells are cells that have the potential to develop into different types of cells in the body. Stem cells also act as a repair system for many tissues in the body by dividing repeatedly to replenish other cells within a person (National Institutes of Health). Stem cell research seeks to further the advancement of the use of stem cells as well as to find an ethical way to study them. In November 1998, researchers found a way to isolate and culture human embryonic stem cells, (Bevington 2005). The ethics of stem cell research has been debated over the years and some people fully support the use of stem cells, whereas others are completely against the use of stem cells. This has been an ongoing battle for scientists over the span of two decades prior to the 1998 finding.

The controversy due to embryonic stem cells is quite debatable. Both sides present many strong reasons that prove their point, but it is still, frankly, nearly impossible to take a stand from an unbiased view. "This is the first study showing that embryonic stem cells can be used for brain and spinal cord repair in an animal model of a human neurological disease," said researcher Oliver BrŸstle (a neuropathologist at the University of Bonn in Germany) referring to the study done on rats (CNN). Just like Oliver BrŸstle many scientists around the world agree that embryonic stem cell show much welcomed hope of cure of spinal and brain repair. In addition to healing spinal and brain injuries, the embryonic stem cells can also treat diabetes, a disease which 54%

Embryonic stem cell research is a controversial topic nationwide, because of its clash of ethical and moral values. Many people, including those suffering from diseases that this research is seeking to cure, do not believe in killing a living embryo in order to advance research and science.

Embryonic stem cell research has been a highly controversial topic for several years. The question of how far science is supposed to push human life has many sides, each warring against each other. In 2010, in the Sherley v. Sebelius case, allowing research involving human embryonic cells was brought into question once again, after Presidents Bush and Obama had dealt with the matter in previous years. At the end of the case in April of 2011, The District Court of Appeals decided to overturn the preliminary injunction, which actually had allowed federal funding the research experimenting with human embryos to continue. While this case was closed, the topic still is not. Stem cell research as a whole faces judgement from many who think it is

In past years, some states have completely banned stem cell research and stem cell treatment; none the less, a recent court case ruled that fetuses are not considered to be human until after the first trimester because that is when they begin to react to pain and pleasure (Robertson). Although some view stem cell research as immoral and wrong, others

The paramount reason embryonic stem cell research should be funded by the government is that it could lead to cures to some of our world’s most devastating diseases. According to Mayo Clinic, “People who might benefit from stem cell therapies include those with spinal cord injuries, type 1 diabetes, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, heart disease, stroke,

The groundbreaking scientific research underway happening this century is revolving around the field of regenerative medicine, specifically stem cell research. To begin to discuss whether or not stem cell research should be scientifically funded we must understand what stem cells are. According to Jordan Saltzberg, author of “The Current Embryonic Stem Cell Research Federal Funding Policy,” embryonic stem cells have the possibility to reproduce and continue to grow and also form any type of specialized cell unlike adult stem cells (2). Since the embryonic stem cells (hESCs) can form any specialized cell they are more valuable than adult stem cells (hASCs). Saltzberg has also stated, stem cells are present throughout a person 's life but are first found in the embryo (2). This shows that one day we may be able to use human adult stem cells instead of embryonic stem cells. Human embryonic stem cells are, for now, the most promising subfield of regenerative medicine. Stem cell research is debated by many different groups, for example the church, government, and everyday people. The majority of religions along with all of their followers believe the research to be unethical, whereas the government and scientific community think that it is vital for new scientific discoveries. Despite the

Imagine living in a world without cancer, Parkinson 's, or even diabetes. While everyone may wish this is true, people are against a way that researchers can make this possible, which would be by the use of stem cells. There is major controversy on whether or not stem cell research should be allowed, especially when it comes to embryonic stem cell research. Although many consider it to be killing a potential life form, embryonic stem cell research may eventually be acceptable to use because there is consent and a lengthy process to make sure the donor understands what their embryonic stem cells will be used for. That may be viewed as a much better

For decades, researchers’ use of stem cells has caused a controversy and the consideration of the ethics of research involving the development, usage, and destruction of human embryos. Most commonly, this controversy focuses on embryonic stem cells. Not all stem cell research involves the creation, usage and destruction of human embryos. For example, adult stem cells, amniotic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells do not involve creating, using or destroying human embryos and thus are minimally, if at all, controversial. Many less controversial sources of acquiring stem cells include using cells from the umbilical cord, breast milk, and bone marrow. (Brunt, 2012) In 1998, scientists discovered how to extract stem cells from human embryos. This discovery led to moral ethics questions concerning research involving embryo cells, such as what restrictions should be made on studies using these types of cells? At what point does one consider life to begin? Is it just to destroy an embryo cell if it has the potential to cure countless numbers of patients? Political leaders are debating how to regulate and fund research studies that involve the techniques used to remove the embryo cells. No clear consensus has emerged. Other recent discoveries may extinguish the need for embryonic stem cells. With this in mind, we will discover both sides of the issue from a pros and cons point of view. Stem cell research has expanded at an exponential rate, but its therapeutic

... the embryo would have been thrown away at an abortion clinic anyway. Now, given the choice of completely wasting the life or using it in order to further research, I’d pick research.” (http://www.juniorpolitics.com/) The fertility clinics, however, appear to be stem cell research advocates’ favorite reference on how their work is ethical and humane in comparison. According to Michael Kinsley, Time Magazine reporter, “Embryonic stem-cell studies are controversial because they involve the destruction of human embryos. However, fertility clinics destroy far more human embryos than stem-cell research ever would, yet they are not controversial.” (http://www.time.com)

The embryonic stem cell is a great medical study and medical opportunity in the medical society that we live in today. As a medical care provider I know the in the medical world it has its challenges that are associated with different reproductive technology. With the new medical research on the embryonic stem cell it has it’s negative and positive views the negative view.

Imagine that a possible cure or treatment to an array of diseases was just within grasp. Yet sadly some narrow-minded people believe that research should be restricted. They believe that embryonic stem cell research involves the death of human embryos, when truly those embryos would've suffered the same fate. Stem cell research is an exciting and beneficial area that, as functioning members of society, we must not restrict it due to the opposition of biased people.

The third type of stem cells Is tissue stem cells, also called adult stem cells, are simply “undifferentiated cells found in a tissue and organs.” (“types of stem cells”) These little guys are mainly “used to repair tissue or organs.” (“types of stem cells”)

Stem cell research has caused a big ethical debate across the nation. The stem cell lines developed for stem cell research are established from embryos after fertilization. An embryo is then divided into individual cells to create a stem cell line. From the embryo, one cell is placed in a dish and nourished with substances that stimulate the cell to divide, then the resulting line will then continue to divide in a managed environment and if taken care of properly (Creating Stem Cells For Research). The stem cells created can then be used to replace damaged cells. The United States Congress should support stem cell research for helping cure diseases but not for the experimentation of human cloning.

Perhaps the most effective of those, however, are embryonic stem cells, which occur in the early development of an embryo, or a baby in the early stages of the womb, and they can change into any different cell type (Stem cell - about).