...Stem cell research and therapy Stephanie Reeves Rasmussen College Author Note This paper is being submitted on August 3, 2014, for Ellen Doyles’ Human Biology course. Stem cell research and therapy Stem cell research has great significance for medical use. They have the ability to develop into many different cell types in the body during early life and growth. They can also serve as a repair system to many tissues, by dividing without limitation to replenish other cells as long as the person or animal is still alive. Stem cells are the body’s raw materials. Stem cell research has created quite the controversy and has been a topic of debate for over a decade. There are 3 types of stem cells that are currently being used in stem cell research and therapies; Embryotic, Adult, and induced pluripotent stem cells. There are a few characteristics that differ between these types of stem cells Embryotic stem cells can become all cell types of the body because they are pluripotent, and can be grown relatively easy in culture. Adult stem cells are thought to be limited to differentiating into different cell types of their tissue origin, and are rare in mature tissues which makes it difficult to isolate these cells in adult tissue, and methods to expand their numbers in cell culture has not been worked out as of today. Induced pluripotent stem cells are adult cells that have been genetically altered to have properties of embryonic stem cells. ...
Words: 705 - Pages: 3
...Name: Jeanette Khoury Title: Stem Cells Save Lives 1. Excite a. Good afternoon everyone b. I am honored to have been given the opportunity to speak with you all today. c. What if you or someone you know was told they would not be able to walk within the next 10 years but there is a cure out there that you are unable to have? 2. Launch d. I am here today to speak with you about the potential uses of stem cells, the funding for stem cell research and the ethical debates of stem cell research. e. If you knew that there might be a potential cure for a disease, would you want the government to follow the lead and explore the possibilities? The answer for me is yes. 3. Relate f. Four years ago, my aunt was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and told that she may not be able to walk in 10 years. g. While there currently is not a cure for MS, the use of stem cells will have a huge impact on treatments and possibly a future cure for this awful disease. 4. Persuade h. Stem cell research can have a significant impact in many areas of medicine. i. There are a variety of diseases and injuries in which a patient’s cells or tissues are destroyed and require organ or tissue transplants. 1. Stem cells are able to potentially create brand new tissue 2. Stem cells may be able to cure diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s disease, cancer, type 1 Diabetes, spinal cord injuries, stroke...
Words: 1222 - Pages: 5
...Emma Johnson English 3 22/1/17 Embryonic Stem cell research paper Stem cells, the argument between. There has been great controversy over whether or not stem cells should be allowed to be used in research. The greatest problem we run into over this is where the stem cells actually come from. The cells come from embryos that are 3-5 days old. This creates the problem of safety for both the unborn child and the mother. “When a stem cell divides, each new cell has the potential either to remain a stem cell or become another type of cell with a more specialized function, such as a muscle cell, a red blood cell, or a brain cell.” (Stem) The National institute of health made the remark of how stem cells can be used. They are unspecified cells, this means that they can become almost any type of cell. Although, it is considered unethical to extract these cells from unborn children, they could be useful to many. These cells could be a huge improvement for cancer patients of even trauma patients to help repair damages to their bodies....
Words: 467 - Pages: 2
...Stem Cell Research One of the numerous scientific topics that creates a great divide between Americans and political party platforms is the approval or disapproval of stem cell research. There is very firm support and opposition to this topic, and it can often provoke heated discussions amid the general public and those in academia. The core of the debate specifically revolves around embryonic stem cell research and the ethical implications that come with experimentation on human embryos. When discussing stem cell research it is important to obtain some background information to know where the debate originated. “There are three main sources for obtaining stem cells - adult cells, cord cells, and embryonic cells” (Stem Cell Research Pros and Cons). Stem cells are cells that are capable of taking on the form of various types of cells. Research in the 90s began the scientific world’s fascination with stem cells. As studies have progressed, scientists have performed experiments on all three types of stem cells in order to differentiate the stem cells with the purpose of finding possible cures for serious illnesses such as leukemia and even cancer. Doctor Irving Weissman of the American Medical Association states, “Rare leukemia stem cells and cancer stem cells have been isolated that contain all of the tumorigenicity of the whole tumor, and it is their properties that will guide future therapies” (Weissman). Stem cell research opens a world of possibilities for the medical...
Words: 1572 - Pages: 7
...Stem Cell Research One of the numerous scientific topics that creates a great divide between Americans and political party platforms is the approval or disapproval of stem cell research. There is very firm support and opposition to this topic, and it can often provoke heated discussions amid the general public and those in academia. The core of the debate specifically revolves around embryonic stem cell research and the ethical implications that come with experimentation on human embryos. When discussing stem cell research it is important to obtain some background information to know where the debate originated. “There are three main sources for obtaining stem cells - adult cells, cord cells, and embryonic cells” (Stem Cell Research Pros and Cons). Stem cells are cells that are capable of taking on the form of various types of cells. Research in the 90s began the scientific world’s fascination with stem cells. As studies have progressed, scientists have performed experiments on all three types of stem cells in order to differentiate the stem cells with the purpose of finding possible cures for serious illnesses such as leukemia and even cancer. Doctor Irving Weissman of the American Medical Association states, “Rare leukemia stem cells and cancer stem cells have been isolated that contain all of the tumorigenicity of the whole tumor, and it is their properties that will guide future therapies” (Weissman). Stem cell research opens a world of possibilities for the medical field...
Words: 1572 - Pages: 7
...Real Promise of Stem Cell Research Dr. David Prentice, HealthNewsDigest.com 2 Derivation of Human Stem-Cell Lines from Human Blastocysts, C. A. Cowan and others. March 25, 2004, New England Journal of Medicine, p.1355 with secondary reference to footnotes 13-17 p.1356. Stem Cell Research Pros The following article is a take on the ongoing debate related to stem cell research pros and cons. The stem cell research information covered in the article below will help you understand the potential of this new research for the benefit of humanity. [pic] Stem cell research, sounds like a plot from a best-selling novel by Robin Cook. However, it's not just a fictional thought, but a reality making waves in genetic research. There is a lot of controversy surrounding stem cell research. There are two groups formed, one supporting and the other against embryonic stem cell research. Both groups use the advantages and disadvantages of stem cell as the basis of arguments. We too shall discuss some of the stem cell research pros in the following paragraphs. This research is a major breakthrough in the scientific world. It is important to understand the positive points of this discovery before we push it over to the recycle bin. Let us have a look at the advantages stem cell research to shed some positive light on this debatable topic. What are Stem Cells? Let's first brush up on our basic, by beginning with some information related to what are stem cells. Stem cells are basically...
Words: 1377 - Pages: 6
...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...
Words: 575 - Pages: 3
...of science fiction authors and fans has become reality. Such topics as stem cell research, in vitro fertilization, and cloning have created quite a stir in scientific communities. However, these advancements do not come without a cost, or without ethical dilemmas. First, a definition of these terms is required. Following that, we will explore some topics and the ethics associated with them. Stem cells exist in all living things. These cells go on to either produce more stem cells or specialize to become different types of living tissue. Stem cells can be broken down into two main classifications, embryonic stem cells and adult stem cells. Embryonic stem cells, as the name would imply, are only found in developing embryos. These cells are the most versatile. On the other hand, adult stem cells are only able to transform into a select few types of tissue. (Bongso & Lee, 2005) In vitro fertilization involves the fertilization of an oocyte outside of the female reproductive system. Fertilization occurs in a Petri dish, after which time the embryo is reintroduced into a female uterus where it is allowed to implant and develop. (Seibel, 2008) Cloning is a scientific method of producing an offspring that is genetically identical to the parent. In cloning, only one parent is required, therefore it is considered to be asexual reproduction. (Rugnetta, 2012) All of these technologies are exciting and hold great promise for mankind. These techniques have the potential to end numerous...
Words: 1871 - Pages: 8
...Stem cell research is a highly controversial topic that may possibly hold the cure for cancer and other diseases. A group of scientists in the late 90’s created several techniques to isolate and grow stem cells. We to need to discuss several topics before an argument can be made to support or not support stem cell research, the types of stem cells, the uses, and who should fund stem cell research. There are many different types of stem cells and each one has a different role in promoting breakthroughs in the many diseases that can possibly be cured. There has been fierce debate in the world about research using embryonic stem cells compared to using adult stem cells. The main criticism against embryonic stem cell research is that the embryo is destroyed in the process of accessing the stem cells during the research period. It is an intriguing how the human body repairs and replaces the cells and tissues of certain organs, but not others. A great example is a burn victims cannot regenerate their own damaged tissues. Trying to figure out why scientists are now focusing their attention on adult stem cells is still a mystery. Evidence shows us that stem cells are present in far more tissues and organs than once known, and that they are capable of developing into more cells than previously thought. Adult stem cells posses the great advantage that an embryo does not. The development of cell therapies can be generated from adult stem cells. For instance, there would...
Words: 361 - Pages: 2
...Embryonic Stem Cell Research In 1998, the world was introduced to the start of embryonic stem cell research. It has since been the topic of a heated debate between politicians, religious figures, ethicists, theologians and scientists. It raises the question of whether or not the ends justify the means. Many people seem to have a different answer to this question but the overall response from a Catholic position, from an individual and Catholic Church standpoint is loud and clear: embryonic stem cell research is immoral. The sanctity of life is held in high regard in the Catholic tradition, therefore making embryonic stem cell research morally wrong. To justify this, it is important to consider whether or not an embryo is a human from perspectives that are for and against this research, and their justifications. Whilst there is no united Catholic view, drawing from traditional ethics and Catholic principles can give an estimate of the overall Catholic perspective on the treatment of human embryos as opposed to the foreseen medical benefits on the other end of the spectrum. In a broad sense, the use of human embryos is unjustifiable and wrong in the eyes of the Catholic community, no matter how promising the benefits are as it involves the killing of an embryo, and thus by extension, can be regarded as murder. “We value the preciousness of life…as far as IVF embryos are concerned, those who have the responsibility make those decisions, have already made an important ethical decision…the...
Words: 2225 - Pages: 9
...ABSTRACT Stem cells have offered much hope by promising to greatly extend the numbers and range of patients who could benefit from transplants, and to provide cell replacement therapy to treat debilitating diseases such as diabetes, Parkinson's and Huntington's disease. The issue of stem cell research is politically charged, prompting biologists to begin engaging in ethical debates, Stem cell research offers great promise for understanding basic mechanisms of human development and differentiation, as well as the hope for new treatments. However, human stem cell research also raises sharp ethical and political controversies. This paper will discuss the types of stem cells as well as some of the controversies involved in stem cell research. Introduction According to Wikipedia, stem cell can be defined as “biological cells found in all multicellular organisms, that can divide (through mitosis) and differentiate into diverse specialized cell types and can self-renew to produce more stem cells.” A stem cell could be regarded as one of the basic building blocks of the human body. Stem cells are important because they have the ability to become different cell types, and scientists are working on developing ways to use stem cells to repair or regenerate damaged organs or tissues. This could lead to therapies for a whole range of conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, Parkinson's disease or Alzheimer's, although at present it is impossible to tell whether this will happen...
Words: 1712 - Pages: 7
...Research paper on Stem Cell Research Legislation and the related legal issues: What is the history of Stem Cell Research Legislation in the United States? How does it compare to comparable statutes in the rest of the world? In this paper talk about what the current legislative state of affairs is and where the law on stem cells in the United States should go in the future and why. Make sure you use ample research and cited sources to support your arguments but make sure to state your own opinion on the issues as well. Stem Cell Research TJ AS OF: 2/4/2009--Introduced. Stem Cell Research Improvement Act of 2009 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct and support research that utilizes human embryonic stem cells, regardless of the date on which the stem cells were derived from a human embryo. Limits such research to stem cells that meet the following requirements: (1) the stem cells were derived from human embryos donated from in vitro fertilization clinics, were created for the purposes of fertility treatment, and were in excess of the needs of the individuals seeking such treatment; (2) prior to donation, it was determined that the embryos would never be implanted in a woman and would otherwise be discarded; and (3) the individuals seeking fertility treatment donated the embryos with written informed consent and received no financial or other inducements. Requires the Director of the National Institutes of...
Words: 3563 - Pages: 15
...Topic: Stem Cell Treatment in Cancer Introduction: (ends with the thesis) A brief description of the technology and an explanation of the associated science - Cornelious What are stem cells? Stem cells are immature cells that have the potential to become any type of cell in the body. These cells can act as a repair system, by having the ability to divide and multiply to replenish other body cells that have been damaged or loss. Stem cell research has been hailed for the potential to revolutionize the future of medicine with the ability to regenerate damaged and diseased organs. On the other hand, stem cell research has been highly controversial due to the ethical issues concerned with the culture and use of stem cells derived from human embryos. However, with more emphasis on the potential of stem cells, hospitals are currently utilizing stem cells in some of their most advanced and innovative cancer treatment techniques. I. First Main Point: Cornelious The historical development and context of the technology A. The History of Stem Cell Research 1. The Discovery of Stem Cells 2. Utilization of Stem Cells B. Stem Cells and Cancer 1. Bone Marrow and Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation 2. Autologous Stem Cell Rescue II. Second Main Point: Capriana Political and Legal influences A. Treatment of cancer using stem cells 1. Chemotherapy 2. Stem cell based therapies B. Embryonic stem cells 1...
Words: 726 - Pages: 3
...Stem cell A stem cell is essentially a “blank” cell, capable of becoming another more differentiated cell type in the body, such as a skin cell, a muscle cell, or a nerve cell. Microscopic in size, stem cells are big news in medical and science circles because they can be used to replace or even heal damaged tissues and cells in the body. They can serve as a built-in repair system for the human body, replenishing other cells as long as a person is still alive. Adult stem cells are a “natural” solution. They naturally exist in our bodies, and they provide a natural repair mechanism for many tissues of our bodies. They belong in the microenvironment of an adult body, while embryonic stem cells belong in the microenvironment of the early embryo, not in an adult body, where they tend to cause tumors and immune system reactions. Most importantly, adult stem cells have already been successfully used in human therapies for many years. As of this moment, no therapies in humans have ever been successfully carried out using embryonic stem cells. New therapies using adult type stem cells, on the other hand, are being developed all the time. Significance of the Study Stem cell therapy is a potential treatment for spinal cord injury and different stem cell types has been grafted into animal models and humans suffering from spinal trauma. Due to inconsistent results, it is still an important and clinically relevant question which stem cell type will prove to be therapeutically effective...
Words: 1566 - Pages: 7
...The Ethical Issue of Stem Cell Research Shawn Black PHI 107 Professor Joseph Scahill November 14, 2008 Stem cell the new frontier of medical break through poses an important ethical dilemma for humanity do we support the destruction of embryos to further science or do we support the protection of embryos. We are faced with a critical decision to protect embryos from being a part of a science experiment or do we think that it is ethical to kill a few embryos in the name of science. I will discuss the pros and cons of stem cell research. I will discuss the positive outcomes associated with stem cell research from a medical aspect and the negative outcomes from a biological aspect. I will also argue for stem cell research and against stem cell research. What is Stem Cell Research? Stem cell research is the use of cells retrieved from embryos which are capable of becoming all or many of the 210 different types of tissues in the human body. Stem cells have traditionally been defined as not fully differentiated cells or tissue types. The use of these undifferentiated cells or tissues is used to replicate cells in the human body. These cells are from embryos fertilized between days 5-7 of human development. The cells are then retrieved from the embryo and used by researchers to replenish dying or damaged cells in the body. These cells show great promise to help solve medical illnesses and diseases. The argument we face with this type of research is...
Words: 1829 - Pages: 8
