Preview

Stem Cell Research Assignment

Better Essays
Open Document
Open Document
1327 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Stem Cell Research Assignment
Running head: STEM CELL RESEARCH ASSIGNMENT

Stem Cell Research Assignment
Pauline Spathis
Grand Canyon University: Daniel Brown
PHI 305
June 10, 2012

Stem Cell Research Assignment The Update: Stem-Cell Research article discusses the controversial issue of whether or not the government should provide federal funding to stem-cell research. Stem-cells have the extraordinary potential in developing into many different cell types in the body. In fact, stem-cells consist of two significant characteristics which distinguish them from any other cell types (Stem Cell Basics, 2009). The first important characteristic is that stem-cells have the capability into renewing themselves through cell division. The second characteristic is that under scientific experimental conditions, stem-cells can be manipulated to become tissue or organ specific cells, such as for the bone-marrow, stem-cells divide to either repair or replace damaged tissue (Stem Cell Basics, 2009). Scientists and advocates have theorized the endless possibilities of curing or treating various diseases using stem-cells, including heart disease, breast cancer, leukemia, Parkinson’s disease, etc. In addition, advocates for stem-cell research feel that federal funding is vital in continuing research in an attempt to lead to life-saving and life-enhancing treatments for diseases. Opponents argue that embryonic stem-cell research is immoral because it is equivalent to murder (Update: Stem Cell Research, 2007). Therefore, let us further examine the debate on whether or not the government should provide federal funding for stem-cell research, as well as my personal perspective on stem-cell research. On August 9, 2001, President Bush announced his ruling on stem-cell research, stating that he would allow existing embryonic stem-cell lines to continue to be federally funded, however would ban all funding for any new stem-cell research (Update: Stem Cell Research, 2007). Since



References: Robinson, B.A. (2007). Human embryos and fertility clinics: Are pro-life leaders ignoring the real problem. Retrieved June 7, 2012, from http://www.religioustolerance.org/ abo_inco.htm Stem Cell Basics. (2009). Stem cell information: the national institutes of health resource for stem cell research. Retrieved June 7, 2012, from http://stemcells.nih.gov/info/basics/ Update: Stem Cell Research. (2007). Issues & Controversies On File. Retrieved June 7, 2012, from Issues & Controversies database. http://angel05.gcu.edu/section/ default.asp?id=1288173

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Due to recent discoveries, stem cell research will have many future medical possibilities. A recent stem cell breakthrough shows that cloning human organs or body parts to treat patients with injured organs or limb deficiencies could be possible. “The cloning techniques can also be used to grow organs for patients with a failing liver or kidney.” Because the newly cloned organ will be genetically identical to the one being replaced, rather than a donated one, the chances of it being rejected will be very low. Ultimately, this opens up many possibilities of curing patients with injuries, amputations, and failing organs. Stem cell research also reveals the ability to cure diseases. “Researcher Dieter Egli said their work was inspired by the thought of being able to take stem cells from embryos and use them to treat and even cure diseases. Worn out hearts could be patched up, aged brains could be rejuvenated and diabetics could be freed from the need to take insulin, all thanks to stem cells.” Stem cell researchers believe it is possible to cure diseases by replacing old organs with newly cloned ones. This will impact future medical possibilities because newer treatments will be out there and the ability to cure diseases such as heart disease, diabetes and cancer may be possible. Furthermore, federal funding for stem cell research has been limited although by the popularity of its breakthroughs; stem cell research may receive federal funding in the near future. This will broaden stem cell research and allow scientists a greater chance of discovering new medical possibilities in the near…

    • 264 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The topic of Embryonic stem cell research carries with it a very controversial past. Some people support it, others do not. Stem cell research costs about 42 million dollars a year, how do they afford it, by the funding of private companies. However, what happens when the money runs out? Where will they get more? Will stem cell research continue? These are the questions I will be addressing in this essay.…

    • 718 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Stem Cell Debate

    • 4026 Words
    • 17 Pages

    What are meant by stem cells and how might they be used? There are many types of stem cell, but they share several interesting properties that set them aside from other cell types. The adult body contains hundreds of specialised or "differentiated" cell types, each playing a particular role. Some of these are long lived and do not divide, such as nerve cells; others are short lived and need to be replaced through cell division. Usually, when cells divide, their daughter cells are identical and of the same type as the parent cell. In other words they divide symmetrically. Additionally, their fate and their properties are fixed – once a liver cell, always a liver cell.…

    • 4026 Words
    • 17 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Stem Cell Research

    • 957 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Stem cell research has been happening for 30 or more years through bone marrow transplants, but has only been a major debate for about the past ten years with the first isolation of embryonic stem cells (UMichigan). According to a popular issues website the definition of stem cells is, "… contrasted with "differentiated" cells. They offer much hope for medical advancement because of their ability to grow into almost any kind of cell” (Pros and Cons…). One of the main debates is between stem cell research and religious views. Some religions such as branches Christianity believe that obtaining and using embryonic stem cells is a sin and should not be used for research or otherwise. Even though I identify as a Christian, I believe that stem cells should be utilized, as long as an egg is not fertilized only for the use of stem cells.…

    • 957 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    One of the biggest political debates of recent times is whether the government should not only allow, but appropriate funds for the research of all types of stem cells mainly the embryonic stem cell. A stem cell is a primitive type of cell that can be manipulated into developing into most of the cells present in the body. Scientists believe that the stem cell is the single most important element in the cure of many diseases, which include heart disease, diabetes, Alzheimer's, and some types of cancer. Stem cells can be extracted from both adults and young embryos. The differences of an embryonic stem cell and an adult stem cell in most peoples eyes are that cells can be extracted from adults for research without harm to adult, but those extracted from embryos are the result of the destruction of the embryo. Scientists believe that although adult stem cells can be helpful in the research in disease, those cells are inferior to those of a human embryo because the embryonic stem cell can developing in almost all the types of cells in the body, but the adult variety is limited in how many cells it can develop into. The Coalition for the advancement of Medical Research estimates, "…stem cell research shows promise to develop cures and/or new treatments for 100 million Americans who currently suffer from a wide variety of diseases and disorders."…

    • 2512 Words
    • 11 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Ethics of Stem Cell Research

    • 2751 Words
    • 12 Pages

    The first task of dissecting this debate is to differentiate between the two types of stem cell research. The first is adult (also called somatic or germ-line) stem cell research and is generally accepted and endorsed by all groups. Taken from human bone marrow or other deep tissues, this type of research has already been used for years in the treatment of many diseases, most notably Leukemia. Even the Catholic Church supports adult stem cell research, going so far as to partner with certain groups to further adult stem cell research funding. The disagreement lies in embryonic stem cell research. In embryonic stem cell research, a human embryo is created and then destroyed in order to obtain the intended stem cells. The circumstances which make the embryonic cells more desirable are two-fold. First, technology for embryonic stem cell research is currently farther along than somatic cell research; and therefore, it is cheaper. The more important distinction is in the quality of the cells collected. Adult…

    • 2751 Words
    • 12 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Stem Cell Research

    • 401 Words
    • 2 Pages

    National Institutes of Health resource for stem cell research. (2009, 04 28). Stem cell basics. Retrieved from http://stemcells.nih.gov/info/basics/basics1.asp…

    • 401 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Thesis: In the great debate of biomedical engineering, stem cell research has become a hot topic as the religious community has become outraged with the destruction of human life for medical experimentation…

    • 964 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Goldstein, Lawrence S.B., "Stem Cell Research: For Balancing Benefits, Ethical Values," The San Diego Union-Tribune, July 6, 2001…

    • 1188 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    2. The head of the National Institutes of Health declared that stem cell research has the potential to revolutionize medical practices. If we are able to control them, we can open a new door to wonderful medical discoveries.…

    • 632 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Stem Cell Research

    • 769 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Stem cells are primitive cells found in embryos, fetuses, and recently adults that can grow into 210 types of cells in the body. James A. Thomson, an embryologist at the University of Wisconsin, and John D. Gearhart of the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine announced on Thursday, November 8 1998 that they and their colleagues had isolated the cell. Scientists have tried for years to find stem cells because of their great medical value. Diseases such as Diabetes, Bone Marrow Cancer, Chronic Heart disease, Parkinson's, and Alzheimer's disease are just a few that could all be cured with the use of stem cells.…

    • 769 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Stem cell research has a lot to offer in the way of treatments, or even cures to some devastating diseases that humans face. However, research using human embryonic stem cells that can only be obtained by killing a human embryo can not be condoned or paid for by the United States Government. Federal funding needs to focus on the adult stem cell research that has already been proven successful and can be obtained without destroying a human life.…

    • 1763 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    President’s Council on Bioethics. "Monitoring Stem Cell Research." Medicine, Health, and Bioethics: Essential Primary Sources. Ed. K. Lee Lerner and Brenda Wilmoth Lerner. Detroit: Gale, 2006. 485-488. Gale Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 1 July 2012.…

    • 2176 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Although there is no doubt that certain diseases could be treated if this therapy is successful, there are contrasting viewpoints concerning the issue. Currently, scientists all over the nation are struggling to gain clearance to experiment with embryonic stem cells. On one side arguers say that embryonic stem cell research is morally acceptable because any therapy that can lead to curing serious diseases is beneficial to the common good. They argue that embryonic stem cells are not yet individuals therefore they have no soul and no rights to speak of. Even the arguers that believe stem cells could possibly be considered individuals, would say that such a small sacrifice would be worth the advances at stake. They say that if such a leap can be made in medicine, then it is the scientists ' and doctors ' duty to do everything in their power to make people well. Advocates of stem cell research would argue that it would be unethical not to proceed with this research. For every advocate of stem cell research there is an…

    • 2842 Words
    • 12 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    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…

    • 527 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays