Sunday, November 4, 2007

Self Analysis

Throughout my entire research process I have tried to be as unbiased as possible, researching both sides of the binary issue of stem cell research. I have provided information about the pros and cons and general facts concerning embryonic stem cell research; however it is difficult to completely put all personal bias aside when presenting such information on a controversial topic. I am personally in favor of embryonic stem cell research as a whole, and feel even though presenting both arguments, I have found that I have argued more for the supporters. I believe that an embryo is not considered human until it has successfully attached to a woman’s uterus. This being said I don’t think using embryonic stem cells before this occurs is killing human life. Many eggs become fertilized, but do not successfully implant into a woman’s uterus to develop into a child. I believe it is ethical to use excess embryos from in vetro fertilization treatments that would otherwise be discarded. I also believe using embryonic stem cells is more of an advantage than using adult human stem cells. Embryonic stem cells offer researchers more of an opportunity to manipulate the cell into any other type of cell to work with.
I have found federal funding to be a big issue concerning the advancement of stem cell research. Like I have previously stated, the upcoming 2008 election will impact the federal funding debate. I think if a democrat is elected, federal funding will be made available for research. This will increase the rate at which scientists will be able to research since they will be able to obtain the needed material and equipment using the money provided.
Through my research I have found that stem cell research is advancing at a rapid pace, and even though there is yet to be a cure found, we are on the right track to do so in the near future. Since testing on animals is already proven itself successful, as shown with the works of Oliver Smithies, the UNC professor who just recently won the Nobel Peace Prize, testing and achievement with humans is the next advancement to occur. Within the next couple of decades I believe all of the scientists’ research will have led to cures in diseases such as diabetes, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, along with successful cell transplants. All testing and research is worth the time, effort and money for searching for cures to help the human race.

Thursday, November 1, 2007

Election of 2008

As federal funding of embryonic stem cell research is currently a heated discussion topic, the presidential hopefuls for 2008 have each developed a platform on the issue. As a general consensus, the democrats support federal funding of the research, whereas the republicans oppose it. Current President Bush vetoed a bill that would have loosened the restrictions on federal funding for embryonic stem cell research. Front democratic runner, Hilary Clinton disagrees with the position of our current president and supports funding the research process. Barack Obama, also a democratic front runner, is in full support of federal funding the issue as shows in his statement in a debate, “I stand in full support of the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act as I did when this bill was introduced and sent to the President’s desk in the 109th Congress.” John Edwards, another democratic presidential hopeful is also in full support of expanding federal funding of embryonic stem cell research. On the other hand, republican presidential candidates such as Mitt Romney and John McCain oppose stem cell research that uses embryos from cloned human embryos, but do support the research using embryos left over from fertility treatments.
The advancement of stem cell research lies heavily on the outcome of our upcoming presidential election concerning the aid of federal funding. This topic will most likely be an influence in the vote of the American public.