In 2001, President George W Bush exercised his right to his first veto. A directive that banned federal funding for any more research into stem cell lines created after that date (August 9, 2001). In 2009, President Barack Obama ended the stem cell ban. Obama said his decision was a “difficult and delicate balance”. He said he wanted to side with the majority of Americans, who did support federal funding for this research. (“Obama reverses Bush-era stem cell policy.” 1) The benefits of this research can lead to new, more effective treatments for human ailments. Stem cell therapy has alleviated the suffering of thousands of people. Unused stem cells are being discarded instead of being used for research. (“Frequently asked questions.” 3) Stem cells are quite resourceful. They can easily be taken from our own bodies and stored just like blood. During radiation or chemotherapy, white and red blood cells can get damaged. These affected cells can easily be replaced with healthy stem cells that adapt. (Pros and cons of stem cell research, 1)The biggest debate about this topic isn’t about whether stem cells work, but who’s going to pay for the research. It’s not a matter of pro-life or pro-choice, it’s pro-science. If my family had the finances for stem cell therapy, we would have made sure that my grandmother was in as little as pain as possible when she was diagnosed with myeloma. No matter what type of injury or disease, cells can easily be replaced with healthy stem cells. (Pros and cons of stem cell research, 1)
Stem cells are their own navigators in the body. When an area is affected by any type of disease or injury, they know exactly what to do. Stem cells have capability of growing into almost any type of cell. (Pros and cons of stem cell research, 1)Stem cells can be used in aiding those with Parkinson’s disease for the pain, they can be used in face lifts to revitalize the skin naturally. These are healing cells when injected into the body. (Vh1.com/plasticsurgery)Stem cells can make a bad situation less stressful.
There are different ways to obtain stem cells.With stem cells being extracted from patients own body there is no possible way the immune system will reject those cells. (Pros and cons of stem cell research, 1) The worst part of this controversy is the fact that the private sector (who can afford it) are utilizing these advances in science. Same kind of agenda with the medication for AIDS patients, only the wealthy will survive. Embryonic stem cells are extracted directly from an embryo before cells can begin to differentiate. (Pros and cons of stem cell research, 1) The stage before differentiation is not hurting anyone. This is the reason for some to be against this type of research. Despite religious or political beliefs, one must fully understand the science of the process as a whole. Umbilical cords are the second most resourceful way of getting stem cells, due to richness within these cells. (Frequently asked questions, 1) As a parent, it’s our job to protect our children at any cost. At the time of my boys being brought into this world I was unable to afford the luxury of storing either of their cord. There are many ways to have access to your own stem cells.
Stem cells that can be used for research are being discarded. Embryonic stem cells exist only at the earliest stages of embryonic development at this stage; there is no nervous system, no heart or growth of special tissue. (“Frequently asked questions”, 2-3) Research is done ONLY during the early stage of the blastocyst; the cell is no bigger than a period at the end of a sentence. Researchers are willing to do the work, funding just needs to be available. (“Frequently asked questions”, 3) Stem cells can live indefinitely, if grown in cultures and will continue to double every two to three days. (“Pros and cons of stem cell research”, 1)These stem cells are good little workers, if given the chance. Shelf life is indefinite, if proper atmosphere. . (“Pros and cons of stem cell research”, 1)Amniotic fluid and umbilical cord blood contain adult stem cells that hold promise for therapy but don’t have properties of embryonic stem cells. (Hollands, McCauley, 2)
If an unfortunate accident was to occur in your family and someone in the immediate family had cord blood saved, their life would be salvageable. Or possibly just protect them from any pain. One man’s garbage is another man’s treasure.
There are different means to getting this funded. In 2001, Bush’s new bill caused quite a stir. Federal funding would only pay for stem cell colonies that were created before the date of the bill. (Stolberg, 3) During Bush’s administration he annoyed a lot of his own people. Researchers for stem cells weren’t allowed to create more lines, only work with what they already had. This 2001 directive put a halt on research. (Stolberg. 1)President George W Bush felt as if he was sticking to his principle’s regarding human life. (Stolberg 1) Stem cell therapy could alleviate our beloved Muhammad Ali, Michael J Fox from any more pain that they endure with Parkinson’s disease. www.christopherreeve.org/site/c.ddJFKRNoFiG/b.4435093/k.A8D3/Stem_cell_primer.html) This is research not destruction of human life. With all questions aside, there is more than morality being viewed. Funding doesn’t have to such an issue.
In 2009, President Obama lifts the ban by Bush. A 2001 directive that was reversed finally allowed federal funds so the research could start up again. (Obama ends ban, 1) Finally Bush is out of office. Ive been waiting for this slap in the face to Bush. There is still no promise or guarantee of treatments but to not allow research or newlines to be created is jus UNAmerican. A non-partisan polling center, Pew Research Center, conducted a national poll in 2007. The results were that two-thirds of the Democrats and Independents favor while half of Republicans are also in favor for embryonic stem cell research. (Stolberg, 2-3) The study also proved that twenty five percent were willing to donate unused embryos to patients seeking fertility. (‘Frequently asked questions” 5) With so many people for it, I really don’t understand why this is such a controversial topic. As a patient, who enters the IVF world, they are already scared. It’s nice to think that we as humans can have some say in what happens to our unused embryos. Times are changing.

Stem cells are quite resourceful. Stem cells are easily accessible, taken from our own bodies and stored just like blood. There are many ways to obtain stem cells. Stem cells that can be used for research are being discarded. There are different means to getting funded. In 2001, Bush’s new bill caused quite a stir. In 2009, President Barack Obama lifted the Bush restriction. New drugs and ideas are being created within this research. Science is always evolving. Stem cell research has accomplishments marked as successful.