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Stem Cell Reaserch

In: Social Issues

Submitted By kmcmahon1
Words 1730
Pages 7
Kadeem Y. S. Mc Mahon
D01305442
DeVry College of New York
LAWS310 – The Legal Environment
Professor Steven Maffei
Stem Cell Research Essay

Majority of the general population knows or has heard something in reference to stem cell research, weather it is from magazine articles or news, at some point in our daily lives we’ve heard the term “Stem Cell Research.” Stem cells due to their controversial nature, has seen numerous changes in the legislation governing its research and the types of stem cells – weather it is fetal, cord, embryonic, etc... – The legislation affecting stem cells can determine where the U.S. stands on this ground breaking research. According to Lanza, A simple definition for stem cells is as follows “a stem cell is a cell that has the potential to develop into a number of different types of cells in the body.” (2011). Basically, stem cells are the base of all organs and tissues in the human body, a master cell of some sort. Stems cell, also have the potential be the backbone of many medical breakthroughs in centuries to come, from age prevention to helping with disabilities such as blindness, inability to walk, etc... As mention earlier in this paper there are many types of stem cells, but for purpose of this paper I shall focus on adult & embryonic stem cells. An adult stem cell is an undifferentiated cell that is found amongst differentiated cells in an organ or tissue that processes the ability to renew itself, as well as differentiate into other specialized cell types. By their nature, adult stem cells aren’t as controversial as embryonic stem cells because of the way in which they can be harvested – adult stem cells are collected from an individual’s skin cells and bone marrow cell – (Lanza, 2011). Embryonic stem cells on the other hand have been the focus of government scrutiny with the passing of legislation specific to the

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