Stem Cell Research Controversy

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Stem cell research is a highly debated issue in today's society. The controversy around stem cell research originates from the fact that in order to do research on stem cells, one needs to have an embryo, which is the first stage of a child’s formation. Stem cells were first isolated in 1998. Stem cells are cells that can become any type of body tissue. For example, if someone has a defective heart and they are missing a vital part of the heart, stem cells could regenerate that piece which they need to live a long and healthy life. The ethical problem that people are confronted with when discussing stem cell research is that in order for this research to happen, a child’s life must cease to exist. The federal government is currently in favor of the research, and donates money to fund it, even though it is a very controversial issue on many levels. Even though this research will need human embryos in order to continue, it should and probably will go on, as it will benefit the human race for many decades to come. Another reason that the research will go on is because the government is behind it. Before one delves into the controversy of stem cell research, one should know what stem cells are, where they come from and how they are used in the body. There are the 4 basic types of stem cells: Embryonic, tissue specific, mesenchymal, and induced pluripotent stem cells. The first stage of a baby’s development after the egg is fertilized, is the embryonic stage. Shortly after the embryo is made, a hollow ball of cells is produced which is called a blastocyst. Embryonic stem cells are found in the core of the blastocyst. Embryonic stem cells are pluripotent, which means that they can turn into any kind of cell in the human body. Tissue specific stem cells get their name from the fact that they only make cells for the area that they live in. For example, a brain cell will only reproduce brain cells and will not make liver cells. Mesenchymal stem cells are capable of producing bone, cartilage, and fat cells. They were first discovered in the bone marrow. Scientists are still not completely sure if they are stem cells, or what type of cells they can make. Induced pluripotent stem cells are engineered stem cells. They are made in a lab. Experts are trying to find an alternate way to make these stem cells and so they can be used more widely for treatments. The main goal of stem cell research is to learn how undifferentiated cells turn into differentiated cells, which make up our organs and tissues. Through medical research, scientists can test new medicines on the stem cells to see what the effects are. This …show more content…
However great the opportunities are for stem cell research, the accumulation of these cells is surrounded by controversy. The major controversy is the use of embryonic stem cells for research. These specific stem cells are collected through the destruction of human embryos. Pro-life organizations are against the collection of embryonic stem cells as they feel that this is ending a life. These organizations hope that scientists will be able to prevent horrible diseases without having to use these embryonic stem cells. Scientists are willing to use these embryonic stem cells in order to cure diseases such as Parkinson’s disease or types of cancer. Scientists believe that the possibility for a cure that will help millions of people is a greater good than the loss of the “life” of one person. Scientists are doing their best to create stem cells outside of the embryos however; this takes a lot of time and money. Some scientists are working on drugs and other therapies to help people deal with these diseases. However, these drugs and therapies will not cure the disease. The disease will still remain and its effects will only be able to be controlled, not cured. The use of embryonic stem cells offers a way to cure these horrible diseases before it gets to the point that the sick person dies. Scientists and Pro-Life organizations will never come to an agreement over what should be done but if there is a way to create stem cells without using human embryos, this will stop most of the

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