The Government Fund Stem Cell Research

Stem cells are unspecialized pluripotent cells capable of renewing themselves through cell division and can be influenced to become specific cells with special functions. (Source F). It is no exaggeration to say that harnessing the amazing regenerative properties of stem cells will greatly aid the medical field in finding cures for debilitating chronic diseases. On February 1, 1961, Dr. James Till and Ernest McCulloch established The Foundation for Stem Cell Science and incredible advances have continued. The most recent happened on February 20, 2016 when stem cells were used to replace part of a human brain. (Source E). Their regenerative properties can be utilized to repair organs such as eyes for the blind, or hearts for those suffering with cardiovascular disease. Stem cell therapy can

Stem cell research will bring about revolutionary medical advances that could provide relief from maladies ranging from blindness to spinal injuries. Though scientists have made progress using adult stem cells, the use of embryonic stem cells for research is still absolutely necessary. Restrictions on federal stem cell funding will slow potential medical breakthroughs, cripple the scientific community, and put the United States at a competitive disadvantage (“Stem Cell Research.”)

Scientists are interested in stem cells for their ability to become any type of cell in the body, a process called differentiation. Theoretically, this allows for limitless possibilities in disease

For years, researchers have been studying the biology of stem cells to figure out how development works and to find new ways of treating humans with health problems. Because stem cells can give way to any tissue found in the body, they provide nearly limitless abilities for medical treatments. Current studies on researching how stem cells may be used to prevent or cure diseases and injuries

“Through the isolation and manipulation of cells, scientists are finding ways to identify young, regenerating ones that can be used to replace damaged of dead cells in diseased organs. This therapy is similar to the process of organ transplant, only the treatment consists of the transplantation of cells rather than organs. The cells that have shown by far the most promise of supplying diseased organs with healthy cells are called stem cells.” (Chapter Preface)

There are two types of stem cells that are regularly used in research. Each has a different set of characteristics and therefore is able to perform different functions in the body. The two major types of stem cells are adult stem cells, also referred to as somatic stem cells, and embryonic stem cells, which are the focus of major controversy. The areas in which they differ are important to understand since the stem cell debate that has raised serious questions of medical ethics. The primary reason stem cells are so highly demanded is that they retain the ability to develop into many different types of cells; they allow one single cell to give rise to many other types of cells. An example of this is found in bone marrow; the stem

The topic of stem cells is a controversial one that many do not want to talk about, but perhaps stem cells could help in the treatment of

To begin with answering the question of what are the infamous stem cells? Stem cells are cells that human beings all have.

There are many thoughts that Stem Cell Research on embryos meant for treating infertility should not be funded by the United States government because it is unethical and immoral. People have created the thought that embryos are babies when they aren’t just yet. (JCI) “Some people [] believe that an embryo is a person with the same moral status as an adult or a live-born child.” People have assumed that embryos are babies, thus giving forth to the idea of taking cells for research from said embryos is immoral, when in reality an embryo is nothing but a ball of cells that are constantly manipulating each other and multiplying. The embryos can’t possibly be babies just yet because there is no brain, no beating heart, and no functioning organs; there is no self-sustaining life functions until the fetal heartbeat begins at 5 weeks of gestation. (JCI) “Although some may view the derivation and use of [Embryonic Stem] cells as ethically distinct activities, we do not believe that these differences are significant from the point of view of eligibility for federal funding.” Stem Cell Research should not be rejected for federal

In a lab at the University of California, a scientist carefully isolates several cells and locates them to a petry dish. A few days later, he returns to find the cells pulsating like a human heart (Gorman 58). This account has actually been occurring at several scientific labs across the nation. These cells, known as stem cells, produce nearly all the other cells and tissues found in the human body (Sobel Sep 4, 22). Intensive research has found that when these stem cells are grafted with human tissue, new tissue is formed and the diseases found in that tissue are cured. These diseases can include Parkinson's, diabetes, and multiple sclerosis (Gorman 58).

Lastly with patients with chronic heart failure, studies have shown donor heart stem cells being used to “reduce scar tissue, promote blood vessel growth, and improve heart functions ("Disease Programs"). 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.

“Embryotic stem cell research has the potential to alleviate so much suffering. Surely, by working together we can harness its life-giving potential.” Nancy Reagan (Brainy Quote). Stem cells are cells that have the remarkable qualities to become any cell in the body. A stem cell begins as a “blank canvas” meaning it can end up as whatever the body, or scientist, needs it to be. There are three main types of stems cells: Embryotic stem cells, Adult stem cells, and Cord Blood stem cells. Adult stem cells can be extracted from many places in the body including the brain, bone marrow, liver, heart, and skin (NIH). The Cord Blood stem cells are extracted from the umbilical cord of an infant after birth and can be used just like adult and embryotic stem cells. Adult stem cells are the most commonly used due to the dispute of the ethicality of how embryotic stem cells are obtained. Embryotic stem cells, although the ideal method, are obtained from a human embryo and ultimately destroying the living cell. Although the embryotic stem cells are considered unethical by many, there are other ways to harvest them and an unimaginable amount of ways it could be used in medical treatments.

"In recent years, there has been an explosion of interest in stem cells, not just within the scientific and medical communities but also among politicians, religious groups and ethicists,"3 Fiona Watt argued. Although overhearing debates and controversy regarding stem cells on the news, television or conversation is common, many aren’t aware of what the big debate is about or what stem cells truly are. The major argument against stem cell research is that it is morally wrong and unethical. To phrase it simply, a stem cell is an unspecialized cell that has the capability of turning into a cell with a specific job.1 They are different from other kinds of cells in the body for a few different reasons.3 All stem cells, regardless of what specific type are able to divide and renew themselves; they don’t originate specialized but can become specialized in different circumstances like when older cells are damaged.4 When a stem cell divides, it has the choice to become a more specialized cell like a brain cell, muscle cell among others, or to remain a stem cell.1

America is beginning to fall behind in its advancement in research compared to the rest of the world due, to the lack of federal funding. One advancement which creates conflicts and dilemmas is stem cell research. The conflicts are specific types of stem cells are unethical and not morally right to research on, but not all stem cells are this way. Stem cell research is the study of different types of stem cells and their possible clinical uses. Stem cells can be developed to act as treatments for different types of illnesses and diseases, but currently no push for funding the advancement of research on stem cells are being taken. Even though some stem cells create conflicts among some people, the government should fund the research of stem cells which can allow them to compete with the rest of the world in scientific advancements.

Although the possibilities stem cells bring about are very profitable to the medical field and bioartificial organs, the ethics involved in harvesting the embryos cause debate. What exactly are these ‘stem cells’ at the center of all this controversy? Dr. Peter J. Bryant, research professor at University of California Irvine, described stem