...Stem Cell Research Legislation Stem Cell Research Legislation In the United States, people have many rights and freedoms that are respected by the Federal Government. As stated in Civil Disobedience by Henry David Thoreau: “There will never be a truly free and enlightened state until the state comes to recognize the individual as a higher and independent power” (225). In the goal to make America a truly free and enlightened state, laws have been enacted to preserve individual rights. With the furthering of medical science, the issue of individual rights vs. government regulation has been raised many times, and the right of the individual has always been held in the highest regard. This is why our government should both legalize and fund embryonic stem cell research. Stem cell laws in the United States have had a complicated legal history. When you look at the government’s power over our individual bodies, one may ask why the government has any power at all. If the majority of the public were to decide what each individual should do in every aspect of their life, our democratic system would be nullified. Our laws are written to recognize individuals’ capability to make their own decisions. We have the right to donate our organs, and that it is our choice. We have the right to donate our entire bodies to science postmortem, and that is our choice. Couples have the right to donate their eggs and sperm for in-vitro fertilization of another couple, and that is their choice...
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...Stem Cell Research and the Utilitarian Principle Human Embryonic Stem Cell (HESC) Research offers hope in alleviating suffering from debilitating diseases and possibly death. HESC are characterized by their ability to self-renew and different into different types of cells (pluri-potency). The main goal of HESC Research is to identify which mechanism governs cell differentiation, and then turn the HESC into the specific cells types which may be used to treat various illnesses. The restorative benefits of HESC are strong factors in favor of the research. Despite the promise of HESC Research, many still oppose it because harvesting of HESC ultimately leads to the destruction of the human embryo. For many this constitutes a destruction of a potential human which is in conflict with religious and moral views in our society (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, 2008). The crux of the matter is thus; if viewed only in terms of consequences, one could argue that it is almost certain the potential health benefits of HESC outweigh the loss of embryos. However those in opposition of the research argue that it is morally impermissible to intentionally kill innocent human beings. The premise of their argument against destruction of the embryos is that embryos are human beings; but there is much debate about when human life actually begins. Utilitarianism and science are uniquely suited to each other in that the ‘greatest happiness’ principle of utilitarianism is similar...
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...BIO 1 Paper Stem Cells Research WHAT ARE STEM CELLS? * Stem cells are biological cells found in all multicellular organisms, that can divide through mitosis and differentiate into diverse specialized cell types or can self renew to produce more stem cells. * In mammals, there are two broad types of stem cells: embryonic stem cells that are isolated from the inner cell mass of blastocysts, and adult stem cells that are found in various tissues. * In adult organisms, stem cells and progenitor cells act as a repair system for the body, replenished in adult tissues. In a developing embryo, stem cells can differentiate into all the specialized cells, but also maintain the normal turnover of regenerative organs, such as blood, skin, or intestinal tissues. Properties The classical definition of a stem cell requires the following properties: * Self-renewal - the ability to go through numerous cycles of cell division while maintaining the undifferentiated state. * Potency - the capacity to differentiate into specialized cell types. In the strictest sense, this requires stem cells to be either totipotent or pluripotent - to be able to give rise to any mature cell type, although multipotent or unipotent progenitor cells are sometimes referred to as stem cells. In Self-Renewal.. Two mechanisms exist to ensure that the stem cell population is maintained: * Obligatory asymmetric replication - a stem cell divides into one father cell that is identical...
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... Adult stem cell research on humans began in the 1960's, first achieving success in the treatment of a patient with severe combined immunodeficiency disorder in 1968. Since the early 1970's, adult stem cells have been successfully used for treatment of immunodeficiencies and leukemias The issue of stem cell research, particularly embryonic stem cell research, became a high-profile political issue in the U.S. during the first year of President George W. Bush's term in office (2001). On August 9, 2001, Bush enacted a ban on federal spending for the purpose of deriving new embryonic stem cells from fertilized embryos. He argued that performing research on embryos is destroying human life, and should therefore be avoided. Both the 109th and 110th Congresses passed bills overturning the ban, but both were vetoed by Bush. During the 109th Congress, both houses also passed and Bush signed a bill banning the creation of human fetuses with the sole purpose of destroying them and harvesting their body parts. The Senate also passed a bill encouraging research into the creation of stem cell lines without destroying human embryos. The controversy is that embryonic stem cell research (ESCR) is not pro-life. It gives false promises to patients while killing a human embryo. It is dead end research. ESCR has cured no disease nor successfully treated anyone. ESCR has not gone beyond research on lab animals. ESCR produces tissue rejection and unstable deadly tumors. Research advocates...
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...The history of stem cell research on humans in the United States began in the 1960’s, first achieving success in the treatment of patient with severe combined immunodeficiency disorder in 1968. Since the early 1970's, adult stem cells have been successfully used for treatment of immunodeficiency and leukemia. Since the discovery, the ethics of human embryonic stem cells have been debated. As the ongoing controversy over human embryonic stem cells persists, we continue to look for alternative means of acquiring similar task-performing cells. However, many people believe embryonic stem cell research is unethical as they believe life is being taken away in the process. There are a range of opinions about human embryonic stem cell research in the community. The overwhelming issue for most people opposed to embryonic stem cell research is that obtaining inner mass cells inevitably leads to the destruction of the embryo. For those that view a fertilized egg as a human life this is most distressing, others consider the blast cyst nothing more than a ball of cells with the potential to become a human. Debate on this issue is essential. The issue of stem cell research, particularly embryonic stem cell research, became a high-profile political issue in the U.S. during the first year of President George W. Bush's term in office (2001). On August 9, 2001, Bush enacted a ban on federal spending for the purpose of deriving new embryonic stem cells from fertilized embryos. He argued that performing...
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...FALFA11 Sec E The history of Stem Cell Research Legislation in the United States Adult stem cell research on humans began in the 1960's, first achieving success in the treatment of a patient with severe combined immunodeficiency disorder in 1968. Since the early 1970's, adult stem cells have been successfully used for treatment of immunodeficiency and leukemia. Many are in support of the scope, nature, necessity and urgency of stem cell research. If the possibility is there to preserve life and cure diseases such as Cancer, Leukemia, Heart Disease AIDS/HIV, the United States Federal Government should issue more funds towards stem cell research. Those very same people that are against stem cell research may someday find themselves in dire need stem cells to save their lives. A German AIDS patient was able to stop drugs he had been taking for 10 years after getting a transplant of stem cells from a donor with a rare gene variant known to resist the deadly disease. The transplant also cured his leukemia, researchers reported. Embryonic stem cell research does not appear to be ethical and it seems as if a life is being taken in the process. One can’t help but pose the question, “when do the actual stages of life begin”? A Blastocyst is a thin-walled hollow structure in early embryonic development that contains a cluster of cells called the inner cell mass from which the embryo arises. The outer layer of cells gives rise to the placenta and other supporting tissues needed for...
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...Stem Cells: The Future of Humanity Pg.1 Stem Cells: The Future of Humanity By Javier Rodriguez Stem Cells: The Future of Humanity Pg.2 Abstract The United States is a country that is known for being a world leader in technology, finance, and medicine just to name a few. When people around the world become ill their first thought is usually to bring their loved ones to the US in order to seek help from the top physicians of the respective fields, so it would seem logical that in the field of stem cell research we as a country would be a leader as well. Sadly that is as far from the truth as we can get. For a country with such vast resources, we are constantly hindered by politicians, public policy, and above all fear of the unknown. Whether it be fear of new technology or even fear of public opinion, we tend to err on the side of caution to save face but the inherent problem there is that we sacrifice potential advancements that can save countless human lives and propel the human species into an era unlike any before, where we can survive just about anything that comes at us. We as a people of this country need to open her eyes and realize that the potential of stem cell research has such promise that we, as responsible human beings cannot and should not ignore it. Stem Cells: The Future of Humanity Pg.3 The United States is a country that is seen by the rest of the world...
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...Devry University | The Social Implications of Stem Cell Research | How Stem Cell Science Affects Society | | David Gaudette | 4/9/2010 | For the sake of clarification, I will use a general definition of stem cell research for the basis of this paper. From the journals, books, and academic articles I have read in order to gather the information needed to write about this subject, I have come to the conclusion that the general purpose of stem cell research is to further the understanding of stem cells in order to develop ways to grow or modify them for medical purposes in which to reduce the suffering of people with disabling diseases or conditions. | David Gaudette Humanities 432 Burke Bowden March 28, 2010 Social Implications of Stem Cell Research The topic of stem cell research has always been scrutinized and hotly debated regarding the legal, ethical, and social implications that are associated with the studies and research methods being performed by scientists around the world. The purpose of this paper is to look closely at the social implications of stem cell research, and briefly explain and identify the effects it has on society and culture. The scientific study of stem cells has affected people in many different ways. There are various treatments and therapies derived from stem cell research that have changed the lives of many people around the world. For example, due to the continuing efforts of the scientific community, patients with disabling...
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...12 November 2010 Cloning Human, animal, and plant cloning is one of the most controversial subjects in modern science. There are many good arguments in favor of cloning, as well as many against it. In my opinion, plant and animal cloning could be very efficient to society by way of creating more food, but I also view it as unethical. In this essay I will discuss many pro’s and con’s of cloning. Cloning can help the human race in many ways, but is it necessary? One way it can help us is by the cloning of plants and animals. In doing this, we could create more food and genetically engineer the food to maximize its health. "Commercial livestock cloning could inundate the food supply with novel products that have not been safety tested."(Mendelson). Most scientists who oppose the idea claim that cloned animals usually have birth defects, and have not been properly tested for safe consumption. Although this could be true, with the rapidly advancing technology in today’s world it probably will not be long until cloning is perfected, and the animals pass all tests. However, is the cloning of animals really necessary for us to survive? Those who are on the more ethical side of the matter believe that God has and will continue to provide us with plenty of plants and animals to survive on. Thus, the argument can go back and forth depending on your beliefs and personal ethics. Ultimately the answer to the question is what you make it. Another way cloning can benefit us is by the...
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... Stem cell therapy Irfan manzoor. Roll no: RP7002B22. Reg. no: 11000225. Course: Bsc. Biotech 1. Lovely professional university Contents 1. Stem cells and properties. 2-3 2. Stem cell therapy. 5-12 3. Stem cell use in animals 13-15 4. Recent researches in stem cell therapy 16-19 5. Conclusion 21 6. Bibliography 22 Stem cells Stem cells are cells found in all multi cellular organisms. They are characterized by the ability to renew themselves through mitotic cell division and differentiate into a diverse range of specialized cell types. Research in the stem cell field grew out of findings by Ernest A. McCulloch and James E. Till at the University of Toronto in the 1960s. The two broad types of mammalian stem cells are: embryonic stem cells that are isolated from the inner cell mass of blastocysts, and adult stem cells that are found in adult tissues. In a developing embryo, stem cells can differentiate...
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...The Human Cloning Debate its Benefits Potential and Controversies Charles J. Butler Devry University ENG 135 Professor Norton Abstract This paper explores the vast science and medical research that has gone into cloning, specifically human cloning. It focuses mainly on internet websites and articles posted on to the internet. The articles focus mainly on the history of cloning and the various ways that nature has used cloning and how mankind has extended natures approach and ultimately advanced cloning methods and the new technology that has been discovered because of these advances. The articles contain proof that further advancements in cloning can develop possibilities in preventing and curing diseases. There is discussion on how continued research into therapeutic cloning can expand the knowledge of how certain diseases and cancer attack the body, and how this knowledge can help fight and even eliminate both these issues. Another topic of discussion is how cloning could lead specific cell production of various organs and tissues through-out the body which can lead to curing failing organs and even the possibility of growing replacements organs thus doing away with then need for lengthy organ transplant lists and the needless suffering of thousands of patients a year. The paper contains the various ethical and controversial arguments that human cloning bring up. Keywords: Therapeutic cloning, The Human Cloning Debate its Benefits Potential and Controversies ...
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...stressed upon is that wether family should be given the right to give consent for organ donation of a person if he himself has not stated any statement regarding his will on organ donation. Many ethical views of different societies are discussed, especially the Chinese including the Confucians. Some cases are also explained at the end in which the families of the dead are taking decision about the organ donations. Other problems relating to this matter are also highlighted. There are many school of thoughts based on different religions and different societies. In this article the Chinese, Confucians and Mencius are discussed in detail. The Chinese place their families at a very high position. They give a lot of importance and thus during the process of deciding wether to donate the organs or not, the family is given the highest authority. Confucians however not in favour of the process of organ transplantation. Their point of view is different. They like to keep their moral values. According to them the parts of an individual are gifts from their parents and they should not be messed with.They should be left as such. My opinion, after reading this article, is that after a person dies and he has not stated that wether he would not like to donate the organs then the decision should be made by the closest relatives. If they decide in favour of donation then the organs should be donated immediately as it may save someone’s life. Full respect should be given to the dead body and after...
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...This is probably the most cherished work of mine. I had heard the potential hazards of cell phones, and after spending an extended amount of time doing the research, the findings negating cell phone safety was irrefutable. I think that since cell phones are such a highly debated topic, it was an awesome subject to tackle, and I hope this paper can help people think twice about cell phone safety. Unseen Dangers: The Reality of Cell Phones The Industrial Revolution marked the beginning of modern technology, creating fruitful moments in history that paved the groundwork for the Information Age. The advancement of computer chip technology allowed us to create the modern day cell phones, revolutionizing the concept of communication. Today our lives depend on these mobile phones, which have advanced into mobile-computers. Despite the beneficial uses and entertaining characteristics of the mobile phone, the devices are highly debated over their potential health risks. As the device becomes pervasive in modern society, it is important to more fully understand the potential health hazards that growing evidence suggests, and to ultimately reevaluate the information that industry funded and tailored studies supply for the public in the United States. Are cell phones the pinnacle of wireless communication, or what if these contemporary devices increase the risk of life-threatening illnesses for billions of people worldwide? The rapid development of communication technology has created...
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...example, previously, scientists have measured the skinfold thickness of children aged 5-18 and classified those with a percentage of body fat at 25%-30% as fat. On the other hand, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention defines overweight to be at or above the 95th percentile of Body Mass Index ratio (Deghan et al, 2005). More researches have sprouted, and each still assumes a subjective position in as far as accurate determination of obesity criterion is concerned. According to the New England Journal of Medicine, the menace of obesity needs to be rethought afresh. It has emerged that there are a lot of intricacies which are involved in obesity and they require keen attention to discern and decipher. For example, obesity not only stems from the actions of the victims as is commonly assumed, but a matrix of The...
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...Chapter 1: Ethical Theory Meta-ethical positions include: * Ethical non-cognitivism (concept that ethics is a matter of feelings) * Ethical relativism (concept that ethics is relative to a particular point of view) * Ethical objectivism (notion that ethics is objective in nature). Meta-Ethical Positions Ethical Non-cognitivism The basis of ethical non-cognitivism is that ethical disagreement can be a highly emotional affair where no amount of reasoning is likely to convince the other party. * Example: “Let’s just agree to disagree” Ethical Relativism * Ethical relativism says that while ethical statements are cognitively meaningful, they do not hold in any objective sense because they depend on our point of view. * If we accept ethical relativism, then ethical disagreement among people who do not share the same perspective becomes impossible. * It assumes that if people agree on something, then it must be true. * Ethical relativism is suspect for a pragmatic reason: it is fundamentally at variance with our social practice. * Example: “To each his own”, or the belief that what’s right for one group isn’t necessarily right for another Ethical Objectivism * Ethical objectivism holds that right and wrong are objective phenomena. * Example: “I’m right and you’re wrong” What is Ethics? * As a discipline, ethics is a branch of philosophy. * It deals with questions of right and wrong conduct, and with what we ought to do and what...
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