Stem Cell Research Argumentative Essay

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.

Research has shown that studying stem cells has provided possibilities for treating neurological disorders. Scientists have performed studies that have allowed blind patients to gain vision again and have also discovered that sustaining the blood-brain barrier could help in diseases such as Parkinson's disease. Many people find stem cell research unhealthy because of the pain women go through when donating. However, stem cell research has advanced people's knowledge tremendously when it comes to neurological disorders.

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.

"I think this marks the beginning of a new era for stem cell research," Robert Lanza, the company's chief scientific officer, wrote in an email. "After a decade of intense controversy, the field is finally ready to prove itself--and to actually start helping patients suffering from a range of horrific diseases. It also shows the new readiness of the FDA to work with researchers to move exciting new stem cell therapies out of the laboratory and into the clinic." Later this month they plan on cluding and gathering the result of the

To make the use of stem cells helpful to the patient they must come from that person. If not, there is a possibility of the stem cells being rejected. Currently, only adult stem cells have been transplanted into humans, with embryonic stem cells missing out. If a person stores their stem cells earlier in life, the usefulness of them would be extremely high later in life (Preserving Stem Cells). A stem cell is more advantageous at a younger age, thus why embryonic stem cells extraordinarily useful.

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,

It has been I long time scenes we have spoking I Hope all is well. The other day I was reading this articles on stem cell research and embryonic stem cell research, Stem cell and embryonic stem cell research has all ready stared to help many people out like Katie Sharify in 2010 she had been in a car crash that damaged her spine, leaving her with no sensation from the chest down. Days after she learned that she would never walk again. So Her medical team provided a crash course in stem cell therapy to help Katie think things through. In this case the team had taken stem cells obtained from a five-day old embryo and converted them into cells that support communication between the brain and body. Those cells would be transplanted into the injured

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

When a patient is faced with a terminal illness or is told that they will never walk again, it may be difficult to find hope of any kind. Stem Cells provide a faint glimmer of hope, with all the amazing things they, in theory, are able to do and cure. What kind of stem cells are we talking about though? Embryonic, Adult, or Cord Blood? All these possess the ability to replicate themselves as well as become any type of cell (Harvard Gazette). As with any incredible feat there is more often than not a “catch.” Many questions arise when we think about the sacrifices, risks and benefits. It is a matter of where we owe our obligations, to the embryo or to the thousands of people who are suffering and dying with incurable diseases. A diverse

For that reason, many people are not able to benefit from its advances and treatments. One reason is it is not made apparent to patients is due to the risks that are involved. Stem cells are taken from donors. There is a lack of donor history and a possibility of the rejection of cells when placed in another human. Disease susceptibility is also a risk factor (Risk factors in the development of stem cell therapy). Diseases can be transmitted to another patient from the donor. When stem cells are taken from one individual to another, there are also issues with storage and transport of

Although over half of the internet consumers highly trust their physicians and information obtained from them, 48.6% of 6,369 internet users surveyed go online first to seek health information, while only 10.9% go to their physicians first (Hesse). Companies that advertise their stem cell treatments online present a wide array of conditions that they can treat while negating most if not all potential complications. However, stem cell therapies already have serious documented side effects, such as meningitis. For example, a boy with Louis-Bar Syndrome, a neurodegenerative disease causing severe disability. was treated with human fetal neural stem cells in Russia. Four years after his first treatment he was diagnosed with a brain tumor that was found to be “of nonhost origin, suggesting it was derived from the transplanted neural stem cells” and was “derived from at least two donors” (Amariglio). In addition, patients who have actually engaged in stem cell tourism reported that the physician performing their procedure did not clarify the outcome of the treatment, positive or negative, and the only possible risks mentioned were very minor, such as the possibility of a pain at the injection site (Brown).

The ethical basis of offering stem cell therapy as a treatment option is based on the Paragraph no. 32, World Medical Association Declaration of Helsinki- Ethical Principles for Medical Research Involving Human Subject. It states that "In the treatment of a patient, where proven prophylactic, diagnostic and therapeutic methods do not exist or have been ineffective, the physician, with informed consent from the patient, must be free to use unproven or new prophylactic, diagnostic and therapeutic measures, if in the physician’s judgment if offers hope of saving life, re-establishing health or alleviating suffering. Where possible, these measures should be made the object of research, designed to evaluate their safety and efficacy. In all cases,

Many scientists think that stem cells can cure people. For now we know stem cells can cure damaged neurons by spinal cord. This is one of the many reasons scientists can continue research Another example to continue researching for stem cells, is it could treat heart muscle cells. This also can save lives by injecting it to the human heart. But the most effective is diabetes. Most stem cells cure people with diabetes survived. Sometimes when there’s good reasons there are bad reasons. Some people worry that stem cells might not always have a positive position. Stem cells might damage damage the organ of the body. It can sometimes reject the injected stem cells in a patient. The worst that could happen is it can concern of destruction of human embryos. Imagine all that would happen no one will live as long as we usually do. The cells won’t be enough to protect your body from diseases. That is why some people are concern of the stem cells can cause

All of the studies for the different patients and diseases, show that stem cells belong in the future of medicine and are rapidly changing the way that we see diseases and how to treat them. It eliminates many risky transplant procedures and attacks the illnesses at the root of the problem. The research shows that stem cells can cure diseases that doctors and scientists have spent years studying and racking their wise brains in hopes of finding a solution. Instead of using a medicine or drug, stem cells dig to the root of the problem and eliminate it from the start. Some people believe that it is unlawful and wrong to take away the genes or the traits that you were given when you were born. But what these people do not realize is that doctors are not changing the core personality of a person by using stem cells. They are not taking away what makes that person who they are. These patients are not defined by their diseases so doctors are treating a part of their body that is currently killing their very being. Scientists want be rid of what is taking over their life in order to save their future. Doctors are simply giving them their families, dreams, hopes and lives back.

Stem cell related diseases affect over 100 million americans (White). Right now, there are plenty of government funds for stem cell research, and if we continue on the same path as we are now, stem cell research should be successful; however, the ethics used for embryonic stem cell research are incomprehensibly horrific (Stem cell policy). If this continues to be funded, it could have answers to numerous major diseases, including why they are caused, prevention, and cures for the diseases. More scientific research, however, needs to go into more possible solutions, to find a more humane method of treating these diseases that pleases both sides of the stem cell research debate, for the solutions, now, are not very strong. Because stem