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Stem Cell Research
Have you ever wished that you could treat or cure diseases like cancer? We can accomplish this by increasing the donation of Embryos and increasing stem cell research, which has already been proven to treat cancer and cure some other diseases. Stem cells are “blank” cells which mean they are not coded for anything. There are different types of the cells which include: embryonic stem cells, adult stem cells, and umbilical cord stem cells.
Embryonic stem cells (ES) are very flexible, which means that they can code or transform into any cell. Embryonic stem cells come from aborted embryos which mean that the embryo has left its mother womb. Most people construe that embryonic stem cells come from living embryos. However, the cells can be taken from dead embryos, which mean that embryonic stem cell extraction is not necessarily killing “babies”. The problem with embryonic stem cells is when extracting a “living” embryo. Embryos are considered living after the brain starts developing. However, scientist believe that when an embryo quits developing or is undeveloped than it is considered to be dead. This will always be a problem because different people have their own personal believes which is why abortion is still such a major dispute. But when an embryo is unwanted or dying, why should we neglect this gift from god. I believe that we should harness every possible thing we can out of these embryos to advance modern science and lengthen life for some people.
Embryonic stem cells can be “immortal” which means that one ES cell line can potentially provide an endless amount of stem cells (Prentice and Pacholczyk). There are a few disadvantages to ES cells. They can eventually form a tumor if the body rejects theses cells from the donor. It may also cause host vs. graft disorder. This is a rare case however it is quite possible. The big problem with embryonic stem cells is that it is sometimes difficult to get these cells to differentiate or code for a certain task. This would make the money spent on the operation useless.
Many believe that we should not be “taking god’s work into our own hands.” Some would argue that this is not god’s work and others would say that it is. This is all based on people and their bias. Since stem cells can cure and treat diseases and illnesses, which in turn prolongs life, than it should be used regardless. This should not be based on religion but what is morally right and what will benefit us as a society.
Adult stem cells (AS) are very efficient. They are as effective as embryonic stem cells, without the need for embryos. These cells are taken from varies parts of the body like bone marrow and the umbilical cord. They also don’t pose the side effect of host vs. graft disorder like many transplants will. Also, these cells will not form tumors or cause cancer. They don’t even harm donors of the cells. They are very painless when they are removed. Some adult stem cells are very easy to access but some are difficult like brain stem cells. The main problem with these adult stem cells is that there is a very limited quantity. These cells may not live as long as embryonic stem cells either. Another problem is that sometimes it is hard to reprogram these cells to do different things.
On the plus side of stem cell research, there is much proof of success. Adult stem cells were used to treat Jacki Rabon, who suffered a major injury to her spine that left her paralyzed. These cells were taken from her olfactory mucosa, and now she is able to walk and fully function (Prentice and Pacholczyk). Another account of success occurred when Patrizia Durante was diagnosed with leukemia after being pregnant for six months. When her daughter was born, they used the umbilical cord stem cells to treat her and now she is in a state of full remission. Stem cells were also used to treat other illnesses that include Parkinson’s disease and Krabbe’s Leukodystrophy, a disorder that occurs to new born babies where their growth is delayed and sometimes it leads to blindness and deafness. Mr. Turner used neural cells as adult stem cells which multiplied and matured into nerve cells that they used on the left side of his brain. This treatment decreased his trembling until it eventually stopped. But Parkinson’s disease will never leave him because it is a progressive disease, and so the stem cells just allow him to enjoy his life. He will have to undergo more surgeries to continue this freedom (Prentice and Pacholczyk).
One step to promoting stem cell research is a bill that was recently passed by Barack Obama. It was Executive Order 13505 which removed the many barriers on stem cell research. “ The order states that the Secretary of Health and Human Services may support and conduct responsible, scientifically worthy stem cell research” (Kington). The argument against this order is that they are just looking for an opportunity to make great profit. There may some profits but, there are many guidelines and regulations that will prevent the research to gain profit without results. This bill is a step to helping stem cell research, but this is simply not enough to actually promote the wide research that is needed to fully develop the methods we need to cure the diseases and disorders.
I believe that if we further our use of embryonic stem cells adult stem cells and even umbilical cord stem cells, we may be able to overcome cancer and save thousands of lives. Stem cells may have some consequents, but once we understand easier ways to derive these cells and code them, the more efficient our health care programs can be and we will be able to minimize the faults. This will allow us to minimize many people’s suffering and allow everyone to live life to its fullest.
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Stem Cell ResearchHave you ever wished that you could treat or cure diseases like cancer? We can accomplish this by increasing the donation of Embryos and increasing stem cell research, which has already been proven to treat cancer and cure some other diseases. Stem cells are “blank” cells which mean they are not coded for anything. There are different types of the cells which include: embryonic stem cells, adult stem cells, and umbilical cord stem cells.
Embryonic stem cells (ES) are very flexible, which means that they can code or transform into any cell. Embryonic stem cells come from aborted embryos which mean that the embryo has left its mother womb. Most people construe that embryonic stem cells come from living embryos. However, the cells can be taken from dead embryos, which mean that embryonic stem cell extraction is not necessarily killing “babies”. The problem with embryonic stem cells is when extracting a “living” embryo. Embryos are considered living after the brain starts developing. However, scientist believe that when an embryo quits developing or is undeveloped than it is considered to be dead. This will always be a problem because different people have their own personal believes which is why abortion is still such a major dispute. But when an embryo is unwanted or dying, why should we neglect this gift from god. I believe that we should harness every possible thing we can out of these embryos to advance modern science and lengthen life for some people.
Embryonic stem cells can be “immortal” which means that one ES cell line can potentially provide an endless amount of stem cells (Prentice and Pacholczyk). There are a few disadvantages to ES cells. They can eventually form a tumor if the body rejects theses cells from the donor. It may also cause host vs. graft disorder. This is a rare case however it is quite possible. The big problem with embryonic stem cells is that it is sometimes difficult to get these cells to differentiate or code for a certain task. This would make the money spent on the operation useless.
Many believe that we should not be “taking god’s work into our own hands.” Some would argue that this is not god’s work and others would say that it is. This is all based on people and their bias. Since stem cells can cure and treat diseases and illnesses, which in turn prolongs life, than it should be used regardless. This should not be based on religion but what is morally right and what will benefit us as a society.
Adult stem cells (AS) are very efficient. They are as effective as embryonic stem cells, without the need for embryos. These cells are taken from varies parts of the body like bone marrow and the umbilical cord. They also don’t pose the side effect of host vs. graft disorder like many transplants will. Also, these cells will not form tumors or cause cancer. They don’t even harm donors of the cells. They are very painless when they are removed. Some adult stem cells are very easy to access but some are difficult like brain stem cells. The main problem with these adult stem cells is that there is a very limited quantity. These cells may not live as long as embryonic stem cells either. Another problem is that sometimes it is hard to reprogram these cells to do different things.
On the plus side of stem cell research, there is much proof of success. Adult stem cells were used to treat Jacki Rabon, who suffered a major injury to her spine that left her paralyzed. These cells were taken from her olfactory mucosa, and now she is able to walk and fully function (Prentice and Pacholczyk). Another account of success occurred when Patrizia Durante was diagnosed with leukemia after being pregnant for six months. When her daughter was born, they used the umbilical cord stem cells to treat her and now she is in a state of full remission. Stem cells were also used to treat other illnesses that include Parkinson’s disease and Krabbe’s Leukodystrophy, a disorder that occurs to new born babies where their growth is delayed and sometimes it leads to blindness and deafness. Mr. Turner used neural cells as adult stem cells which multiplied and matured into nerve cells that they used on the left side of his brain. This treatment decreased his trembling until it eventually stopped. But Parkinson’s disease will never leave him because it is a progressive disease, and so the stem cells just allow him to enjoy his life. He will have to undergo more surgeries to continue this freedom (Prentice and Pacholczyk).
One step to promoting stem cell research is a bill that was recently passed by Barack Obama. It was Executive Order 13505 which removed the many barriers on stem cell research. “ The order states that the Secretary of Health and Human Services may support and conduct responsible, scientifically worthy stem cell research” (Kington). The argument against this order is that they are just looking for an opportunity to make great profit. There may some profits but, there are many guidelines and regulations that will prevent the research to gain profit without results. This bill is a step to helping stem cell research, but this is simply not enough to actually promote the wide research that is needed to fully develop the methods we need to cure the diseases and disorders.
I believe that if we further our use of embryonic stem cells adult stem cells and even umbilical cord stem cells, we may be able to overcome cancer and save thousands of lives. Stem cells may have some consequents, but once we understand easier ways to derive these cells and code them, the more efficient our health care programs can be and we will be able to minimize the faults. This will allow us to minimize many people’s suffering and allow everyone to live life to its fullest.
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Work Cited
Kington, Raynard. “National Institutes of Health Guidelines on.” National Institutes of Health
resource for stem cell research (2009). 29 Oct 2009.
Work CitedKington, Raynard. “National Institutes of Health Guidelines on.” National Institutes of Health
resource for stem cell research (2009). 29 Oct 2009.
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Prentice, David, and Pacholczyk,Tadeusz. “Pros and Cons of Embryonic and Adult Stem Cells.”
Stem Cell Research Facts (2006). 29 Oct 2009.
Prentice, David, and Pacholczyk,Tadeusz. “Pros and Cons of Embryonic and Adult Stem Cells.”Stem Cell Research Facts (2006). 29 Oct 2009.
when you say that we should do this as morally right and not for religion i totally agree with on that. but is the persons decision if we want to that.
I think that stem cell reserch is great. Anything that has the possibilty of curing cancer is a blessing. My grandfather died from cancer when i was in fourth grade. I think your research is well put together.
I think your essay was very well researched. i think they should come up with a cure for cancer because i have lost so many people from cancer. if they would have been found a cure a lot of people i love would be here. great paper!!!
What is your paper about? Is it to use stem cell or cure cancer. There is no theis statement, becuase you do not state if stem cell research is illeagal or legal. If your theis is about cancer, you dont state that there are other cures, and that stem cell is better. So what are you arguing and who is disagreeing with you?
In the second sentence, embryos should not be capitalized. Near the bottom of the first paragraph, the word believes should be beliefs. “New born” should be newborn. Final paragraph: “consequents” should be consequences.