Stem Cell Research; Agree or Disagree
In 2001, the federal government authorized stem cell research. There has been much controversy revolving around this type of research, especially the embryonic stem cell. Do you agree or disagree with the stem cell research. Why?
Up until recent years, research into stem cells was focused mainly on Embryonic Stem Cells, which involved taking tissue from an aborted embryo or fetus to get the most promising material for study. This was usually done only days after conception or between the fifth and ninth weeks of pregnancy. Since then, most researchers have moved to more ethical and less controversial study methods, including Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (IPS). IPS can be derived artificially from non-pluripotent cells, such as adult somatic cells. This is an important step forward for stem cell research. This is because it allows researchers to avoid the controversy of obtaining embryonic stem cells while still continuing their studies into pluripotent cells, which are vitally important to research
There is now one primary issue concerning stem cell research, with both pros and cons. The issue is really not about the stem cell research itself, but about how the knowledge might be used. Stem cell research has the potential to treat a wide range of medical problems. It could possibly lead humanity closer to more effective treatment methods, and possibly cure a number of debilitating diseases and ailments, such as Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s, birth defects, spinal cord injuries, heart diseases, strokes and diabetes (type 1). Improved treatment for diseases and injuries such as these could give sizeable social benefits for individuals and significant economic gains for society as a whole. Detractors of this type of research say that "We should not interfere with human life," and "Humans have no right trying to play God." There are even some who argue that stem cell research may lead to cloning humans in the future. It is difficult to predict with any
Up until recent years, research into stem cells was focused mainly on Embryonic Stem Cells, which involved taking tissue from an aborted embryo or fetus to get the most promising material for study. This was usually done only days after conception or between the fifth and ninth weeks of pregnancy. Since then, most researchers have moved to more ethical and less controversial study methods, including Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (IPS). IPS can be derived artificially from non-pluripotent cells, such as adult somatic cells. This is an important step forward for stem cell research. This is because it allows researchers to avoid the controversy of obtaining embryonic stem cells while still continuing their studies into pluripotent cells, which are vitally important to research
There is now one primary issue concerning stem cell research, with both pros and cons. The issue is really not about the stem cell research itself, but about how the knowledge might be used. Stem cell research has the potential to treat a wide range of medical problems. It could possibly lead humanity closer to more effective treatment methods, and possibly cure a number of debilitating diseases and ailments, such as Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s, birth defects, spinal cord injuries, heart diseases, strokes and diabetes (type 1). Improved treatment for diseases and injuries such as these could give sizeable social benefits for individuals and significant economic gains for society as a whole. Detractors of this type of research say that "We should not interfere with human life," and "Humans have no right trying to play God." There are even some who argue that stem cell research may lead to cloning humans in the future. It is difficult to predict with any