This paper will define embryonic stem cells. The paper will also discuss the history and the uses of embryonic stem cells for research. This paper will also inform the readers of the importance of stem cell for the treatment of some diseases.
The researcher will reveal the similarities and differences between embryonic and adult stem cells. This paper will inform of the dangers of collecting embryonic stem cells from the donor.The researcher will also talk about why stem cell research is such a controversial issue and the misunderstandings of stem cell research from religious groups and other critics. This paper will elaborate on the potential uses of stem cells, such as cloning, and what must be overcome before the uses can be possible. Also it will disclose President Obama’s view on stem cells and the ban that was placed on the research.
Finally, the primary focus of this paper is to determine if embryonic stem cell research is ethical.Embryonic stem cells are defined as cells obtained from an embryo in the blastula phase, when they are still only a few days old, Because they have only begun to differentiate, these cells have the capability of developing into any cell in the human body, a fact which makes them potentially important in medicine. (Company). Human embryonic stem cells have many potential uses scientists are trying to determine how undifferentiated stem cells (undeveloped cells having no specialized cell type) become differentiated stem cells that can become organs and tissues.Abnormal cell division and differentiation are the causes of cancer and birth defects.
The study of embryonic stem cells can produce the answer to these problems and how to correct them. Human pluripotent cells can be used to test new drugs and there side effects. Human embryonic stem cells can be turned into these specific cells that are needed to test new drugs. One of the most important uses for stem cells is the possibility of replacing destroyed tissues and cells.Take for instants a patient has chronic heart disease and the uses of embryonic stem cells could possible produce healthy heart muscle cells in the laboratory and regenerate the damaged cells. The use of these cells could save the lives of millions, but there are still many hurdles standing in the way that will hopefully be overcome with some years of research.
There are three types of stem cells. The first type is embryonic stem cells. These stem cells can become most types of cells or tissues. You can get these stem cells from fertilized human embryos.The next type of stem cell is would be the umbilical cord stem cells.
These stem cells come from the umbilical cord of a baby after birth. The umbilical cord stem cells can e used to treat family members of the baby that they come from. The last type of stem cell is the adult stem cell. These stem cells are limited to the kinds of tissue or cell that it can repair.
It has to be the same as it came from such as bone marrow tissue must repair other bone marrow tissue. Adult stem cells may be found all over the body.Although embryonic stem cell research can have so many good affects on human life. It also has its’ down falls.
It has produced a great threat to women. In order to obtain embryonic stem cells a woman must donate her eggs. They give the women hormone treatments to cause their ovaries to get bigger so that they can insert a needle to get the eggs. Studies show that 10% of these women are forming life-threatening blood clots. Scientists have not yet found out how to make the stem cells stop growing once inside, so they cannot keep the stem cells from becoming tumors.On August 9 2001 President George W Bush placed a ban on embryonic stem cell research limiting what scientists could and couldn’t do with the federally funded money.
Bush believed that the embryos that the stem cells came from could provide life to a child. Scientist believed that research from the stem cells could help improve and possibly save the lives of the already living. For example people with spinal cord injuries, Alzheimer’s and juvenile diabetes. President Bush felt like he had to keep the United States at an ethical level.The research on embryonic stem cells questioned these ethics. He kept coming back to the same two questions.
Are these embryos human life, and if they are going to be destroyed should they be used for study? On March 9 2009, President Barack Obama removed the barriers on embryonic stem cell research. He stated; “Research involving human embryonic stem cells have the potential to lead to better understanding and treatment of many disabling diseases and conditions.He allowed federal funding to be provided for the study of embryonic stem cell research and also allowed the United States to follow the lead of the other countries that are invalid in the research. All of this brings about the question; is the study of embryonic stem cells ethical. In one point of view stem cells can save the life of millions of people with non-curable diseases. The other side to that is the use of the stem cells could be taking the life away from a child.
What is the ethical way to go?
