...Embryonic Stem Cell Research: Its Pros and Cons Because of its concept, embryonic stem cell research has become a hot topic in debates among scientific researchers, moral activists, religious groups and governments. It is a relatively a new science that holds medical treatments for many debilitating diseases and disorders affecting people today. But like other new scientific technologies, it is also believed to potentially do harm. To get a good insight about this type of research, let us take a look at some of its pros and cons. List of Pros of Embryonic Stem Cell Research 1. It can help treat many diseases. As scientists direct the differentiation of embryonic stem cells into specific cell types, they will be able to use the resulting differentiated cells to treat certain diseases, which include diabetes, traumatic spinal cord injury, Duchenne’s muscular dystrophy, heart diseases, and vision and hearing loss. It is also claimed to have the potential...
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...the first stem cells from human embryos created by the use of IVF (“Stem Cell Basics: Introduction”, 2002). It was this discovery that set off an unrelenting debate over the practice of not just embryonic stem cell but stem cell research in general for almost the next two decades. Those who oppose embryonic stem cell research find it unethical because the destruction of a human embryo is necessary. Others opponents are under the assumption that stem cell research can lead to human cloning (“Myths and Misconceptions”, 2011). Many people do not fully understand the benefits stem cell research holds for common diseases of today’s world. Furthering of stem cell research is important for modern medicine and the treatment of illnesses. A common misunderstanding against stem cell research is that all stem cells are taken from embryos. According to the article, “The Ten Great Myths in the Debate Over Stem Cell Research” stem cells can be taken from umbilical cords, the placenta, amniotic fluid, adult tissues and organs such as bone marrow, fat from liposuction, regions of the nose, and from cadavers up to twenty hours after death. Cloning is another opposition against stem cell research. What many opponents do not realize is that The National Academy of Sciences and...
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...Research paper on Stem Cell Research Legislation and the related legal issues: What is the history of Stem Cell Research Legislation in the United States? How does it compare to comparable statutes in the rest of the world? In this paper talk about what the current legislative state of affairs is and where the law on stem cells in the United States should go in the future and why. Make sure you use ample research and cited sources to support your arguments but make sure to state your own opinion on the issues as well. Stem Cell Research TJ AS OF: 2/4/2009--Introduced. Stem Cell Research Improvement Act of 2009 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct and support research that utilizes human embryonic stem cells, regardless of the date on which the stem cells were derived from a human embryo. Limits such research to stem cells that meet the following requirements: (1) the stem cells were derived from human embryos donated from in vitro fertilization clinics, were created for the purposes of fertility treatment, and were in excess of the needs of the individuals seeking such treatment; (2) prior to donation, it was determined that the embryos would never be implanted in a woman and would otherwise be discarded; and (3) the individuals seeking fertility treatment donated the embryos with written informed consent and received no financial or other inducements. Requires the Director of the National Institutes of...
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...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....
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...Claim: Embryonic stem-cell research is not ethical because it kills them, it relies on killing young life, others complain against such research on medical grounds, and it wastes resources that could be more wisely spent on grown up stem-cell research and real treatments for patients. The first reason that embryonic stem-cell research is not ethical. Is that according to the article Embryonic Stem Cell Research: experts debate pros and cons, “Other say it kills them.” Because in a scientific way to say it is that the removal of stem cells from this type of embryo requires its destruction. In a simple way, it requires that a human life to be killed. That is another reason that embryonic stem-cell research isn’t ethical. The second reason...
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...Engineering Research & Position Paper Table of Contents DNA Fingerprinting/ Genetically Modified Foods --------------------------------------------------- p. 3 Gene Therapy/Cloning------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ p. 4 Stem Cell Technology------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ p. 5 Position Paper------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- p. 6-7 Bibliography-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- p. 8-10 Evaluation Rubric----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- p. 7 DNA Fingerprinting DNA fingerprinting are tests that help to identify and analyze a person’s DNA. The term “fingerprinting” is used because finger prints, like DNA, vary from person to person and no two people have the same DNA or fingerprints. So, when scientists identify a person’s DNA, it can only be linked back to one individual and can help to obtain information about that specific individual. DNA fingerprinting can be done through many different ways. Some ways are through blood samples from a vein or heel, saliva samples, skin samples, or hair samples. The purpose of DNA fingerprinting is to help link family members together, find things that cause diseases, to help aid in crime scene investigations, and to identify the deceased. The Pros of this...
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...Stem Cell Research One of the numerous scientific topics that creates a great divide between Americans and political party platforms is the approval or disapproval of stem cell research. There is very firm support and opposition to this topic, and it can often provoke heated discussions amid the general public and those in academia. The core of the debate specifically revolves around embryonic stem cell research and the ethical implications that come with experimentation on human embryos. When discussing stem cell research it is important to obtain some background information to know where the debate originated. “There are three main sources for obtaining stem cells - adult cells, cord cells, and embryonic cells” (Stem Cell Research Pros and Cons). Stem cells are cells that are capable of taking on the form of various types of cells. Research in the 90s began the scientific world’s fascination with stem cells. As studies have progressed, scientists have performed experiments on all three types of stem cells in order to differentiate the stem cells with the purpose of finding possible cures for serious illnesses such as leukemia and even cancer. Doctor Irving Weissman of the American Medical Association states, “Rare leukemia stem cells and cancer stem cells have been isolated that contain all of the tumorigenicity of the whole tumor, and it is their properties that will guide future therapies” (Weissman). Stem cell research opens a world of possibilities for the medical...
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...Real Promise of Stem Cell Research Dr. David Prentice, HealthNewsDigest.com 2 Derivation of Human Stem-Cell Lines from Human Blastocysts, C. A. Cowan and others. March 25, 2004, New England Journal of Medicine, p.1355 with secondary reference to footnotes 13-17 p.1356. Stem Cell Research Pros The following article is a take on the ongoing debate related to stem cell research pros and cons. The stem cell research information covered in the article below will help you understand the potential of this new research for the benefit of humanity. [pic] Stem cell research, sounds like a plot from a best-selling novel by Robin Cook. However, it's not just a fictional thought, but a reality making waves in genetic research. There is a lot of controversy surrounding stem cell research. There are two groups formed, one supporting and the other against embryonic stem cell research. Both groups use the advantages and disadvantages of stem cell as the basis of arguments. We too shall discuss some of the stem cell research pros in the following paragraphs. This research is a major breakthrough in the scientific world. It is important to understand the positive points of this discovery before we push it over to the recycle bin. Let us have a look at the advantages stem cell research to shed some positive light on this debatable topic. What are Stem Cells? Let's first brush up on our basic, by beginning with some information related to what are stem cells. Stem cells are basically...
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...Stem Cell Research One of the numerous scientific topics that creates a great divide between Americans and political party platforms is the approval or disapproval of stem cell research. There is very firm support and opposition to this topic, and it can often provoke heated discussions amid the general public and those in academia. The core of the debate specifically revolves around embryonic stem cell research and the ethical implications that come with experimentation on human embryos. When discussing stem cell research it is important to obtain some background information to know where the debate originated. “There are three main sources for obtaining stem cells - adult cells, cord cells, and embryonic cells” (Stem Cell Research Pros and Cons). Stem cells are cells that are capable of taking on the form of various types of cells. Research in the 90s began the scientific world’s fascination with stem cells. As studies have progressed, scientists have performed experiments on all three types of stem cells in order to differentiate the stem cells with the purpose of finding possible cures for serious illnesses such as leukemia and even cancer. Doctor Irving Weissman of the American Medical Association states, “Rare leukemia stem cells and cancer stem cells have been isolated that contain all of the tumorigenicity of the whole tumor, and it is their properties that will guide future therapies” (Weissman). Stem cell research opens a world of possibilities for the medical field...
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...Rebuttal: Empty Promise of Embryonic Stem Cell Research Maurice Gooden BCOM 275 April 24, 2012 Todd Brenton Rebuttal to Embryonic stem cell research There has been much debate over the controversial topic of embryonic stem cell research as it pertains to its morality. Many supporters of pro-life and various religious followers compare this research to murder because of their belief that human life starts from conception. On the other hand, scientists and researchers want to use these cultures of cells and make good use of this science for the greater advancement in modern medicine. It is hard to sway either ideology because there is no hard written documentation that outlines the contingency of this concept. There are many opinionated articles that touch on this subject and its morality. Prime example comes from an article written by Mike Pence in the Christianity Times. Throughout much of this article, there is use of subtle scare tactic, and rationalizing. He states, “Millions of pro-life Americans believe that life is sacred, and I along with them was deeply troubled by President Obama's executive order eliminating restrictions on embryonic stem-cell research not only because it destroys human life, but particularly because it ignores the advances that have been made in adult stem-cell research.” (Pence, 2009). He is leading us to believe that this step toward medical science will be worthless, and in the process destroying potential life from these embryos. However...
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...Research, Statistics, and Psychology Paper Psychology uses statistics and research to validate or invalidate theories. Research is used to find answers to questions. The scientific method is important because it provides researchers with the steps they must take to find the answer they are looking for in a study. Statistics are used to prove or disprove theories or questions by using the collection of data and mathematics. Many types of research could be used to make the world a better or even healthier place and this is why statistics and research is important in all fields of study. Research is an important part in the field of psychology. It is used to establish facts rather than opinions. Research is defined as an organized and systematic way to find answers to questions (Henrichsen, Smith, & Baker, 1997). There are four main goals of research in psychology, these goals are describe, predict, explain, and apply. Researchers use the scientific method to meet these goals. The scientific method is described as a process involving fives steps to conduct research. The first step is to determine a problem or make an observation. The second step is the development of the hypothesis. Testing the hypothesis is the third step. Recording the observations is the fourth step. The final step is to draw a conclusion(s) (Cowens, 2006). The scientific method is used in all fields of research. Primary and secondary data is used in research to support a hypothesis. A research first focuses...
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...Stem Cell Research Agree or Disagree Cynthia Lane Ultimate Medical Academy BC1020: Medical Basics and the Healthcare Claim Cycle (2-08-2016) Section 07 March 11, 2016 Patricia Smith Instructor Stem cell research is relatively a new technology. Stem cells have the ability to develop into other 220 varieties of cells present in body. Human Embryonic stem cells are derived from early stage embryos that are 5-7 days old. Embryonic stem cell research is among the most controversial researches of the time. Adult Stem cells in itself are uncontentious but research on human subjects makes it controversial as some experiments could harm patients. This is an important research as it is expected that it would enable the mankind to cure diseases like diabetes, Alzheimer, birth defects etc. First, consider the pros and cons of stem cell research. According to (Stem Cell Research, 2008) there are two main issues for stem cell research: a) Usage of the knowledge b) Concerns regarding the methods The first issue is not limited to stem cell research; every single research has faced this issue. Stem cell research can help in curing various diseases. Some argue that it can in future lead to cloning humans. But the possibility of misuse of information is always there. According to (What is stem cell research) human cloning can help in repairing lost body parts and organs. The concerns regarding the methods of stem cell research are intense. Embryonic stem cell research is considered...
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...Stem Cell Research 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. One reason many people don’t agree with embryonic stem cell research is that they believe that scientists use embryos that have started to develop into babies. This is a myth (UMichigan). Scientists fertilize an egg in a dish, and use it 5 days after the fertilization when the embryo only contains about 100 cells, none of which are specialized (UMichigan). The embryo is no larger than a period at the end of a sentence (UMichigan). This embryo, although beginning to form, has no heart, no spine, no limbs, and no systems (UMichigan). If this was known by more people, then many people may change their minds about stem cell...
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...STEM CELL & CELL CULTURE Differences between embryonic and adult stem cells. One of the differences between embryonic and adult stem cells is the cell potency. Cell potency comes from the term potential and basically means a cells’ potential to differentiate and take on different functions. Embryonic stem cells are pluripotent and thus can form all types of cells (endoderm, mesoderm, and ectoderm). Adult stem cells on the other hand are mostly multipotent, meaning the cells can only differentiate to different cell types from the same tissue of origin. For instance, blood stem cells can differentiate into many different type of blood cells but cannot differentiate to become muscle or neuron cells. To put it simply, adult stem cell are more specialized (focused on a particular tissue lineage) whereas, embryonic stem cells are more versatile. (Stem Cell Research- Pros and Cons, Date retrieved: 17th September 2011) Another difference between adult stem cells and embryonic stem cells is the ease of culturing these cells. It is significantly easier to cultivate embryonic stem cells in comparison to adult stem cells. Adult stem cells are hard to isolate in mature tissue and have a hard time surviving past a few generations during the in-vitro culturing. Considering stem cell therapy requires a large amount cells, embryonic stem cells are a more feasible alternative as they can grow rather easily in the lab. (Stem Cell Information, Date retrieved: 20th September 2011) However...
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...Ethical Issue of Stem Cell Research Shawn Black PHI 107 Professor Joseph Scahill November 14, 2008 Stem cell the new frontier of medical break through poses an important ethical dilemma for humanity do we support the destruction of embryos to further science or do we support the protection of embryos. We are faced with a critical decision to protect embryos from being a part of a science experiment or do we think that it is ethical to kill a few embryos in the name of science. I will discuss the pros and cons of stem cell research. I will discuss the positive outcomes associated with stem cell research from a medical aspect and the negative outcomes from a biological aspect. I will also argue for stem cell research and against stem cell research. What is Stem Cell Research? Stem cell research is the use of cells retrieved from embryos which are capable of becoming all or many of the 210 different types of tissues in the human body. Stem cells have traditionally been defined as not fully differentiated cells or tissue types. The use of these undifferentiated cells or tissues is used to replicate cells in the human body. These cells are from embryos fertilized between days 5-7 of human development. The cells are then retrieved from the embryo and used by researchers to replenish dying or damaged cells in the body. These cells show great promise to help solve medical illnesses and diseases. The argument we face with this type of research is the use of...
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