According to the American Heritage Science Dictionary, a stem cell is “an unspecialized cell found in fetuses, embryos, and some adult body tissues that has the potential to develop into specialized cells or divide into other stem cells.” Embryonic stem cells are able to develop into virtually any type of cell in the body, where as already developed human stem cells are only able to develop into specific cells. Research using either type of stem cell has become an extremely controversial topic.
Supporters of stem cell research believe that researching using stem cells is beneficial to finding cures and treatments for many popular diseases including Diabetes, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. For example if scientists were able to develop stem cells into cells such as cardiac cells, they might be able to replace damaged heart tissue in a heart attack patient. They may also be able to develop nerve cells in order to replace damaged brain cells in an Alzheimer’s patient.
Opponents of Stem Cell Research raise the question of ethics. For embryonic stem cell research, they believe it is unethical for the destruction of human embryos to take place for the advancement in medical research, stating it falls under the category of murder. Also, opponents state the argument that stem cell research will eventually lead into human cloning.
I am in support of stem cell research and for federally funding this research process. The more knowledge we can attain from scientific study, the higher the chance we will be able to develop positive advances in the medical world. Stem cell research is an important step to researching and finding possible cures to diseases that our population suffers from on a day to day basis. So what do you think…do you take the opposing side, looking at the ethical issue of using embryonic stem cells for medical research is considered to be murder and destructive, or do you support the research of stem cells in order to further our knowledge of medical treatments and to help save lives by finding possible cures for diseases? The question is up to you…for or against???
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4 comments:
With all of the diseases and ailments that are going uncured in todays world, I think we need to do whatever it takes to make advances in science. If doing stem cell research could possibly aid in discovering a cure for some major disease, go for it, but only in situations when it is critically necessary.
I agree with you, I also believe that we need to do anything we can in order to advance our knowledge in science. Scientists use great care and precision in working with stem cells in order to ensure getting the most data and knowlegde from their experiments.
At first thought I would think that it is a little unethical to use human embryos to further science. I guess I am still sort of undecided on the issue because with all the uncurable diseases out there in the world today, I could definetly see the numerous benefits in this new line of research. I am looking forward to learning more about it and formulating a more firm stance on the issue.
I agree with the further advance in stem cell research. I do not think it is unethical when they are trying to find a cure to better the lives of others. The work that will be done will have great precision which will help out everyone. With the technology and knowledge we have today i think that this will be for the best.
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