Case Study: Engineering A Better Life

Superior Essays
Alejandro Mendez
Professor Eduardo Astigarraga
11/18/2014
Enc 1101
Engineering A Better Life It is common knowledge that throughout history humanity has been plagued by disease and illness. Humans have been at a constant struggle in the war against disease. Beginning in 1928 when Alexander Fleming discovered the first true anti biotic, humans have been fighting back against diseases using more and more advanced technology. Which brings us to modern times and the new science that promises to completely change the way we view and interact with disease, Bio-Engineering. Bio-Engineering in its most basic and literal form translates to "Engineering of Life". Bio-Engineering started to become known in mainstream media in the late 1960 's. Early research into the subject promised to cure many diseases, with the use of stem cell
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(Cortesini, 1) While both ethical and political controversy slow ongoing research into ESC, they have accelerated research into alternative sources of stem cells that do not require the destruction of human embryos.(Cortesini, 1) One such method may be therapeutic cloning, which may provide a a viable source of ESC that avoids the ethical and political controversy. The amazing thing about having an infinitely replenishable source of stem cells is that, with enough advancement in the mass production of each persons individual cells people with organ problems such as gastrointestinal, liver, urological, and even , cardiovascular, can have their organs repaired or even new organs made specifically for the individual completely forgoing a donor. Simple hollow organs have already been created in laboratories, but research is currently taking place that would allow for the creation of complex human organs such as the pancreas, liver, kidneys, and heart.(Cortesini,

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