Mrs. Hall
Comp I
April 26, 2011
Is Stem Cell Research Good or Bad? Stem cell research is a very complex subject. “Stem cells hold great potential for developing therapies to treat a wide range of human diseases. Already in clinical use is blood stem cell transplant, known well as bone marrow transplant therapy for the treatment of patients with certain types of blood diseases and cancers. The discovery of stem cells in various adult tissues, stem cells plasticity, and human embryonic stem cells bring excitement and opportunities” (Encyclopedia of Science and Technology). The rulers of society do not see any money in curing the masses, only treating us. Bone marrow transplants have been done for many years to treat …show more content…
Fox, James Taylor, Warren Beatty, Christopher Reeve, Bill Gates, Muhammad Ali, Mary Tyler Moore, Nancy Reagan, Jimmy Johnstone, E-Bay founder Pierre Omidyar, billionaire savings and loan executives Marion and Herbert Sandler, the Nova Nordisk corporation and The Entertainment Industry Foundation. These people have worked to further research so that people can be cured of some of the health problems. The scientists that do the research have problems finding funding. Michael J. Fox and Christopher Reeve have set up research projects. Michael J. Fox did a commercial to gain support for research. Still, some people do not acknowledge the good things that are possible with stem cell research such as cures for diseases.
Stem cell research has the potential to cure many diseases, for example, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases, spinal cord injuries, heart disease, and arthritis (Encylopedia of Science and Technology). Bone marrow transplants can treat sickle cell disease, Hurler’s syndrome, Wiskott- Aldrich syndrome, multiple myeloma, and severe combined immunodeficiency disorder (Stem Cell Information). According to Bernard Edward Tuch in the Australian Family …show more content…
It seems there are many benefits to the research.
Most anti-stem cell people are against research because it is the embryonic type. In spite of so many potential benefits of stem cell research, many oppose it, even from abortions. World Series pitcher Jeff Suppan took part in a commercial in response to Michael J. Fox’s commercial. There were others also involved in the ad against stem cell research, NFL quarterback Kurt Warner, actors Jim Caviezel and Patricia Heaton, and, baseball player Mike Sweeney. The catholic church is against embryonic stem cell(esc) research, and supposedly supports adult stem cell research but does not show lots of support in the media.
The people that are opposed to stem cell research all have one main point against the research. Their main point against stem cell research is that it destroys potential human life. They do not voice other complaints. Most ESC research is done with extra cells left unused from invitro fertilization (IVF), with permission from the donors. The church disagrees with IVF and any good that can come from the leftovers from it. The church does however support non-esc