Stem Cell Research and its Controversies
Stem cells have been believed to originate from primordial germ cells, which normally produce the sperm or oocyte. They are pluripotent cells that proliferate indefinitely with appropriate growth factor and nutrients, and appropriate environment (Kurt, F. Ö., Aydemir, I., Özkut, M., Cezayirli, E., & Tuğlu, M. İ., 2015). These characteristics can lead to a greater understanding of human biology in addition to new cures for diseases like Huntington’s. Stem cells can be categorized according to their potential to become different cells. Mesenchymal stem cells can be sorted by their adhesive capacity to stick to a plastic culture dish. While growing, these cells expand on a tissue culture plate. Using controlled growth factors, these cells can become …show more content…
J., 2011). However, legal and moral questions slow down embryonic stem cell research. In the U.S., the controversy has revolved largely around the federal funding policy. The most important federal legislation has been the Dickey-Wicker Amendment (1996), which prohibited the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services from funding research that creates or destroys human embryos. This prohibition did not stop President George W. Bush and President Obama from relaxing this rule by funding research with newer stem cell lines. Those presidents had to distinguish between the un-fundable activities that actually create human embryonic stem cells and the fundable activities that use those cells (Power, C., & Rasko, J. J., 2011). The stem cell controversy is still as heated as ever because each side claims the moral high ground. One side defends the rights of the most vulnerable and the other promotes research that may one day help to save countless lives, a real compromise is not possible.
Stem cells have been believed to originate from primordial germ cells, which normally produce the sperm or oocyte. They are pluripotent cells that proliferate indefinitely with appropriate growth factor and nutrients, and appropriate environment (Kurt, F. Ö., Aydemir, I., Özkut, M., Cezayirli, E., & Tuğlu, M. İ., 2015). These characteristics can lead to a greater understanding of human biology in addition to new cures for diseases like Huntington’s. Stem cells can be categorized according to their potential to become different cells. Mesenchymal stem cells can be sorted by their adhesive capacity to stick to a plastic culture dish. While growing, these cells expand on a tissue culture plate. Using controlled growth factors, these cells can become …show more content…
J., 2011). However, legal and moral questions slow down embryonic stem cell research. In the U.S., the controversy has revolved largely around the federal funding policy. The most important federal legislation has been the Dickey-Wicker Amendment (1996), which prohibited the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services from funding research that creates or destroys human embryos. This prohibition did not stop President George W. Bush and President Obama from relaxing this rule by funding research with newer stem cell lines. Those presidents had to distinguish between the un-fundable activities that actually create human embryonic stem cells and the fundable activities that use those cells (Power, C., & Rasko, J. J., 2011). The stem cell controversy is still as heated as ever because each side claims the moral high ground. One side defends the rights of the most vulnerable and the other promotes research that may one day help to save countless lives, a real compromise is not possible.