The Debate Over Embryonic Stem Cells - 851 Words

â€Å"Over 100 million Americans suffer from diseases that eventually may be treated more effectively or even cured with embryonic stem cell therapy. Some researchers regard this as the greatest potential for the alleviation of human suffering since the advent of antibiotics† (White). However, not everybody agrees with this. While embryonic stem cells offer much hope for medical advancement because of their ability to grow into almost any kind of cell, the moral debate of the destruction of an embryo continues. Embryonic stem cells are taken directly from an embryo before the embryo s cells begin to develop into their specific cells. While there may be promise of embryonic stem cells triggering medical advancements, the ongoing controversy continues to hinder research. Embryonic stem cells can be defined as â€Å"blank cells that have not yet been categorized or programmed by the body, and can be prompted to generate any of the 220 human cell types.† (White). Because of this reason, these cells are extremely flexible; in cancer treatment, cells destroyed by chemotherapy or radiation can be replaced with new cells that adapt to any body tissue, whether it’s in the heart, lungs, brain, etc. Dead cells of almost any kind can be replaced with new stem cells. These stem cells are harvested when the embryo is referred to as a blastocyst, which is what some consider when life begins which is also where the controversy begins. Those who support embryonic stem cell research â€Å"believe thatShow MoreRelatedThe Debate Over Embryonic Stem Cell Research1652 Words   |  7 PagesEmbryonic stem cell research could one day hold the key to many new scientific discoveries if it is continuously funded in the years to come. I chose to base my research around the question, Should embryonic stem cell research be government funded? When I finish highschool I hope to pursue a career in the medical field. Although I wish to become a doctor and may not be direc tly researching stem cells, they may one day be a treatment that I will have to administer to patients. To answer this questionRead MoreThe Debate Over Embryonic Stem Cell Research1543 Words   |  7 PagesWhile embryonic stem cell research has been ongoing for more than 30 years, it has only become a controversial topic over the past decade. The embryonic stem cell was first isolated in 1981 by two scientists at the University of Cambridge. However, it wasn’t until 1998 at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, where the first batch of embryonic stem cells were created in a test tube. In 2001, President George W. Bush approved the use of federal funding for research on this topic, following this actionRead MoreThe Debate Over Embryonic Stem Cell Research1710 Words   |  7 PagesEmbryonic Stem Cell Research Embryonic stem cells, according to the National Institute of Health, are cells obtained from embryos that are prepared from fertilized eggs which have been collected through the in vitro technique; in specialized clinics. Scientists use the stem cell research to have a better idea about the evolution, aging, and disease. Thus, they keep track of the stem cells progress across the lifetime; this tracking process can help scientists to figure out the genetic mutationsRead MoreThe Debate Over Embryonic Stem Cell Controversy2546 Words   |  11 PagesEmbryonic Stem Cell Controversy â€Å"I truly believe that stem cell research is going to allow our children to look at Alzheimer’s and diabetes and other major diseases the way we look at polio today, which is a preventable disease† (Solomon). Susan Solomon has founded the New York Stem Cell Foundation and has been seen as the hero for stem cell scientists around the world. Over the past couple years, stem cell research has been at its high; scientists all over the world are using these cells to tryRead MoreThe Debate over Human Embryonic Stem Cells2824 Words   |  11 PagesThe debate over human embryonic stem cells, though quieter as of late, is contentious and strained. In media commentary of the debate, and consequently in the public psyche as well, moral and religious arguments are pitted against scientific research and development. Despite frequent scientific advancements into this relatively young area of research, many still oppose the budding technology. In Democratic nations, this has ma nifested in a popular effort to use regulation to change the researchRead MoreThe Debate Over Embryonic Stem Cell Research1690 Words   |  7 Pagesbeen far from reality until the research from embryonic stem cell therapy surfaced. Since former president George W. Bush banned federal funding on embryonic stem cell research in 2001 it has caused a halt in advancements and caused controversy in the public. According to an article by Beau Watts, an accredited physician; embryonic stem cells are pluripotent cells (Beau Watts). This means they have not decided what function they perform yet. Since the cells do not know the function, it can be determinedRead MoreThe Debate Over Embryonic Stem Cell Research852 Words   |  4 Pagesknowledge of stem cell research has already created the ability for doctors to print a functional organ just as easily as people can print a persuasive research essay. With great medical advancements comes great controversy. The main way researchers have been s tudying stem cells is by harvesting undifferentiated embryonic stem cells. Those who oppose embryonic stem cell research claim that stem cell harvesting damages and kills the un-born embryo; however, because of advancements in the stem cell harvestingRead MoreThe Debate Over Embryonic Stem Cell Research1907 Words   |  8 Pages20 April, 2017 Embryonic Stem Cell Research Imagine living in a world without cancer, Parkinson s, or even diabetes. While everyone may wish this is true, people are against a way that researchers can make this possible, which would be by the use of stem cells. There is major controversy on whether or not stem cell research should be allowed, especially when it comes to embryonic stem cell research. Although many consider it to be killing a potential life form, embryonic stem cell research may eventuallyRead MoreThe Debate Over Embryonic Stem Cell Research2410 Words   |  10 Pagesisolated the first embryonic stem cells in 1981 (stemcell.child), the controversy in embryonic stem cell research was never discussed. For, an embryo was never able to survive outside of the womb until then; however, today, this topic is widely discussed among ethicists, medical professions, politicians, and more for several reasons. On one side of the argument, embryonic stem cells have the capability of repairing damaged tissue, and with further research it is believed that these cells will be able toRead MoreThe Debate Concerning Embryonic Stem Cell Research Essay1406 Words   |  6 Pagespolitical battles in the United States in recent years has been over the morality of embryonic stem cell research. The embryonic stem cell debate has polarized the country into those who argue that such research holds promises of ending a great deal of human suffering and others who condemn such research as involving the abortion of a potential human life. If any answer to the ethical debate surrounding this particular aspect of stem cell research exists, it is a hazy one at best. The question facing