Essay On Embryonic Stem Cell Research
2/15/13 Period 2
Research on the use of embryonic stem cells has sparked controversial debates all over the United States. What makes them so controversial? It is where they come from. Embryonic stem cells are “blank cells” harvested from an early stage embryo that have the potential to turn into any kind of cell in the human body. Usually, these embryos are unused from in vitro fertilizations and would otherwise be thrown away. Embryonic stem cells have the potential to treat people with diseases, such as Parkinson’s, diabetes, and leukemia as well as be used to test drugs. Despite the possibilities, ethical debates and lack of funding restricts researchers from doing so.
The most obvious reason for embryonic stem cell research is the possibility to help people. Since they can be manipulated into any of the two hundred and twenty human cells, stem cells can be injected into a person with a degenerative disease with hopes of becoming healthy replacements to any of the sick cells. Instead of heart or liver transplants, these cells could provide healthy tissue to rejuvenate them. Stem cells also provide insight regarding …show more content…
Is this really homicide? Stem cells are usually harvested from embryos that are declared “clinically dead.” Researchers have also developed other ways to harvest stem cells, such as altered nuclear transfer (ANT) where the original embryo is cloned. Many claim that adult stem cells (cells that come from bone marrow, etc.) have not been given much attention. In fact, this is because adult stem cells are weaker than and not as flexible as embryonic stem cells. Embryonic stem cells are capable of unlimited proliferation (a sign of viability), while adult stem cells are not able to divide as quickly. No argument can outweigh the possibility of saving millions, if not billions, of
Research on the use of embryonic stem cells has sparked controversial debates all over the United States. What makes them so controversial? It is where they come from. Embryonic stem cells are “blank cells” harvested from an early stage embryo that have the potential to turn into any kind of cell in the human body. Usually, these embryos are unused from in vitro fertilizations and would otherwise be thrown away. Embryonic stem cells have the potential to treat people with diseases, such as Parkinson’s, diabetes, and leukemia as well as be used to test drugs. Despite the possibilities, ethical debates and lack of funding restricts researchers from doing so.
The most obvious reason for embryonic stem cell research is the possibility to help people. Since they can be manipulated into any of the two hundred and twenty human cells, stem cells can be injected into a person with a degenerative disease with hopes of becoming healthy replacements to any of the sick cells. Instead of heart or liver transplants, these cells could provide healthy tissue to rejuvenate them. Stem cells also provide insight regarding …show more content…
Is this really homicide? Stem cells are usually harvested from embryos that are declared “clinically dead.” Researchers have also developed other ways to harvest stem cells, such as altered nuclear transfer (ANT) where the original embryo is cloned. Many claim that adult stem cells (cells that come from bone marrow, etc.) have not been given much attention. In fact, this is because adult stem cells are weaker than and not as flexible as embryonic stem cells. Embryonic stem cells are capable of unlimited proliferation (a sign of viability), while adult stem cells are not able to divide as quickly. No argument can outweigh the possibility of saving millions, if not billions, of