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Stem Cell Research Pros And Cons

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In 1998, scientists at the University of Wisconsin isolated and grew the first stem cells from human embryos created by the use of IVF (“Stem Cell Basics: Introduction”, 2002). It was this discovery that set off an unrelenting debate over the practice of not just embryonic stem cell but stem cell research in general for almost the next two decades. Those who oppose embryonic stem cell research find it unethical because the destruction of a human embryo is necessary. Others opponents are under the assumption that stem cell research can lead to human cloning (“Myths and Misconceptions”, 2011). Many people do not fully understand the benefits stem cell research holds for common diseases of today’s world. Furthering of stem cell research is important for modern medicine and the treatment of illnesses. A common misunderstanding against stem cell research is that all stem cells are taken from embryos. According to the article, “The Ten Great Myths in the Debate Over Stem Cell Research” stem cells can be taken from umbilical cords, the placenta, amniotic fluid, adult tissues and organs such as bone marrow, fat from liposuction, regions of the nose, and from cadavers up to twenty hours after death. Cloning is another opposition against stem cell research. What many opponents do not realize is that The National Academy of Sciences and …show more content…
Embryonic stem cells are the cells found within the embryo, the umbilical cord, or the umbilical cord blood. Embryonic stem cells are capable of becoming any one of the cells in the human body. Adult stem cells can be found in anyone and are found in tissues of the heart, brain, and kidney.They can become any one of the cells within their own resident organs. Induced pluripotent stem cells are adult stem cells that have been experimentally programmed into a stem cell-like state (“How Stem Cells Work”,

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