The public’s opinion on stem cell research has drastically changed from when the controversy first got major media coverage in 2001. According to a poll posted to isidewith.com, 73 percent of Americans agree the federal government should fund stem cell research, while 27 percent think the contrary. But why has public perception taken a complete and utter turnaround from years ago? One may argue, positives of stem cells outweigh the negatives. Today, we have a better understanding of what these cells are capable of. With the capacity to treat major diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Disease, embryonic stem cells have come a long way from their contentious debut nearly two decades ago. Still, not everybody is onboard due to longstanding,
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Although the debate is no longer considered a hot-button issue, research clinics still face opposition. Disapproval of research stems from social stigma associated with abortion — raising two questions; when does life begin, and is it acceptable to deny a being of it? The public continues to ask these questions, yet there is still no definitive answer. The answer is subjective, depending on what you decide to believe. Nonetheless, fire of the debate has been extinguished as embryonic cells become less common due to new tactics. Acknowledging the borderline irrelevance of this debate is important because it displays America’s positive attitude towards the …show more content…
The controversy is ongoing but continues to dwindle down as researchers discover new and less controversial ways to harvest cells. Utilization of unfertilized eggs is a new favorite among doctors looking to find more ethical approaches of garnering stem cells while avoiding public backlash in the process. Scientists use chemicals to activate the egg into parthenogenesis — the reproduction of the egg without fertilization. From here, scientists modify these parthenogenetic cells into any type of stem cell they deem necessary. In most cases, parthenotes are converted into neural stem cells, which are then used to treat victims of brain damage. Injected into the brain by the millions, neural stems boost levels of dopamine; a compound in the brain, used as a neurotransmitter. A boost of dopamine can reduce tremors, difficulty walking, and muscle rigidity in Parkinson’s Disease
Although the debate is no longer considered a hot-button issue, research clinics still face opposition. Disapproval of research stems from social stigma associated with abortion — raising two questions; when does life begin, and is it acceptable to deny a being of it? The public continues to ask these questions, yet there is still no definitive answer. The answer is subjective, depending on what you decide to believe. Nonetheless, fire of the debate has been extinguished as embryonic cells become less common due to new tactics. Acknowledging the borderline irrelevance of this debate is important because it displays America’s positive attitude towards the …show more content…
The controversy is ongoing but continues to dwindle down as researchers discover new and less controversial ways to harvest cells. Utilization of unfertilized eggs is a new favorite among doctors looking to find more ethical approaches of garnering stem cells while avoiding public backlash in the process. Scientists use chemicals to activate the egg into parthenogenesis — the reproduction of the egg without fertilization. From here, scientists modify these parthenogenetic cells into any type of stem cell they deem necessary. In most cases, parthenotes are converted into neural stem cells, which are then used to treat victims of brain damage. Injected into the brain by the millions, neural stems boost levels of dopamine; a compound in the brain, used as a neurotransmitter. A boost of dopamine can reduce tremors, difficulty walking, and muscle rigidity in Parkinson’s Disease