Stem Cell Research
Wichaya Jinakul
October 11, 2012
ENG 102; 8.00 AM
Final Argument Essay
Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research Should Not Be Banned According to John A. Robertson, co-chair of the ethics committee of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, “In November 1998, a team of researchers at the University of Wisconsin and a team at Jonhs Hopkins University published reports of the first successful isolation and culturing of human ES cells”(qtd. in Ruse and Pynes, 121). For over a decade, many researchers have thought that human embryonic stem cells could be the “Holy Grail” for millions of people. This is supported by Wert and Mummery, who said diseases which might benefit from using stem cells “include diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, stroke, arthritis, multiple sclerosis, heart failure and spinal cord lesions” (673). However, the human embryonic stem cell controversy is still widely debated. Human embryonic stem cell research should not be banned because it is an ethical practice and could be medically beneficial.
Human embryonic stem cell research should not be banned because it could be medically beneficial. Many researchers believe that human embryonic stem cells have a wide variety of potential applications, for example: using human embryonic stem cells to screen new drugs. According to the authors of “Stem Cell”, “Embryonic stem cells can become all cell types of the body because they are pluripotent. Adult stem cells are thought to be limited to differentiating into different cell types of their tissue of origin”(“Stem Cell”, NP). Because of this characteristic, new drugs could be tested for toxicity and safety on human embryonic stem cells which could serve as all varieties of cell types. Support by the National Bioethics Advisory Commission Potential Medical Applications states that, “Such studies could lead to fewer, less costly, and better designed human clinical trials yielding more specific diagnostic procedures and more effective systemic
October 11, 2012
ENG 102; 8.00 AM
Final Argument Essay
Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research Should Not Be Banned According to John A. Robertson, co-chair of the ethics committee of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, “In November 1998, a team of researchers at the University of Wisconsin and a team at Jonhs Hopkins University published reports of the first successful isolation and culturing of human ES cells”(qtd. in Ruse and Pynes, 121). For over a decade, many researchers have thought that human embryonic stem cells could be the “Holy Grail” for millions of people. This is supported by Wert and Mummery, who said diseases which might benefit from using stem cells “include diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, stroke, arthritis, multiple sclerosis, heart failure and spinal cord lesions” (673). However, the human embryonic stem cell controversy is still widely debated. Human embryonic stem cell research should not be banned because it is an ethical practice and could be medically beneficial.
Human embryonic stem cell research should not be banned because it could be medically beneficial. Many researchers believe that human embryonic stem cells have a wide variety of potential applications, for example: using human embryonic stem cells to screen new drugs. According to the authors of “Stem Cell”, “Embryonic stem cells can become all cell types of the body because they are pluripotent. Adult stem cells are thought to be limited to differentiating into different cell types of their tissue of origin”(“Stem Cell”, NP). Because of this characteristic, new drugs could be tested for toxicity and safety on human embryonic stem cells which could serve as all varieties of cell types. Support by the National Bioethics Advisory Commission Potential Medical Applications states that, “Such studies could lead to fewer, less costly, and better designed human clinical trials yielding more specific diagnostic procedures and more effective systemic