...Stem Cell Research Stem cell research has played a vital role in modern-day society. This research has done many things that will change mankind forever. How can stem cell research be explained and described? Furthermore, there are many benefits of stem cell research, and unfortunately, there are many disadvantages of this research. Additionally, this has caused many ethical debates of whether the use of stem cell research is right or wrong. All of these statements and questions will determine how stem cell research shapes the future. To begin, how can stem cell research be explained and described? In this type of research, people discover how to fix imperfect tissues. Additionally, researchers study how embryonic stem cells can develop into many different types of tissues. Stem cell research began when Jamie Thomson and a group of people from a college made the first embryonic stem cell. Because of him and his team, the research has developed into something even larger. Now, stem cell therapy is used to treat many diseases such as diabetes, and Parkinson’s disease. “It had long been believed that adult tissue does not...
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...Scientific research has come a long way since the first use of human embryos to treat and prevent diseases. The polio vaccine was invented in the 1950’s from the use of human fetal kidney cells, fetuses in uteri were used to develop techniques like amniocenteses and improving knowledge about congenital heart disease in the 1970’s, and in the 1980’s the transplantation of fetal tissue into adults to help with serious conditions like, diabetes or Parkinson’s (Gold, 2004). While there has always been concern and controversy over the use of human embryonic cells, today the debate is ethical. This ethical debate lies within the destruction of human embryos in order to use them for medical research. This paper will talk about how two different theories; utilitarianism and relativism view this ethical issue and the problem it presents, as well as my personal views on use of embryonic stem cell research. The theory of utilitarianism determines what is best by looking at the results of an act. According to Mosser (2010, section 1.7), “utilitarianism argues that, given a set of choices, the act we should choose is that which produces the best results for the greatest number affected by that choice.” When looking at the use of embryonic stem cells for research, utilitarianism looks at the end result. Embryonic stem cells have the potential to save lives by curing diseases and through the use of transplantation. While some utilitarianism’s may still view the destruction of these cells as the...
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...Stem Cell research is a very controversial topic in today’s society. This topic brings up many ethical questions about it is right to do the research or not. Stem cells come from embryos that are only a few days old. The ethical issues that arise are many. If one believes that an embryo is a baby upon fertilization, then one would feel that this was unethical to do the research no matter what the benefits would be. On the other hand, some feel the benefits of what can be learned from stem cell research outweighs the ethical and moral dilemmas that are argued. This long debate brings about many questions about the ethical approaches, that there have been restrictions placed on the research in the lines of what type of embryos can be used for the research. Ethical or not there are always two sides to debate, stem cell research is no different. Throughout this paper I will discuss the ethical issues that stem cell research brings into light and the benefits that stem cell research brings into light that may just outweigh the ethical issues, then determine it these benefits and ethical issues really make stem cell research the most beneficial way to help cure diseases such as juvenile diabetes, Parkinson’s disease or even spinal cord or neck injuries. Argument for Research Stem Cell research can help scientist discover more about human cells and how they grow, change, and replace damaged cells within the body. The information that can be learned is priceless. Using this research...
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...Who Can Stem Cell Research Save? Human stem cell research is a widely controversial topic in the United States. Most controversy concerns are religious, moral, and legal contestations regarding human embryos. Research on human embryos have been approved in other countries such as Sweden, Finland, Belgium, Greece, Britain, Denmark, and the Netherlands, it remains a controversy issue in the United States. In the United States the States are split on whether it’s enforcing a complete ban or allowed funding in some States for stem cell research. President Clinton passed Dickey Amendment which cut off all Department of Health and Human Services and all federal funding for stem cell research on human embryos. Private funding was still aloud for the research. In 2001 President George Bush approved limited funding because of the great outcomes it could one day give us with cures for diseases and disorders. On the first issue, are these embryos human life? Well, one researcher told me he believes this five-day-old cluster of cells is not an embryo, not yet an individual but a pre-embryo. He argued that it has the potential for life, but it is not a life because it cannot develop on its own. An ethicist dismissed that as a callous attempt at rationalization. "Make no mistake," he told me, "that cluster of cells is the same way you and I, and all the rest of us, started our lives. One goes with a heavy heart if we use these," he said, "because we are dealing with the seeds of...
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...spinal cord injury. Stem cell research has opened the doors to science and how it can cure people with like diseases. Some believe that stem cell research is the wave of the future and with it we will be able to eventually cure any disease known to man. Others believe that this type of research is wrong because of the way embryonic stem cells are recovered is incorrect. Stem cell research should be completely funded by the government and mandated; due to the fact it has and could possible be the cure or improve the quality of life of those physical impaired, it establish a greater comprehension on the cause of certain diseases, and last but not least it is ethically correct. With the help of science, people have been cured for spinal cord injuries. Spinal cord injuries remove the possibility of those who once walked from walking. The advancement of stem cell research has shown that by injecting stem cells back into the damaged spinal cord and essentially grows. Stem cells are like clean cells that haven’t found a job yet. By inserting these clean cells into the spinal cord they would start working as a building block where the damage occurred. With the regrowth of the cord, an individual sentenced to life in a wheel chair can walk again. Current research being done is investigating if stem cells can reverse the effects of diseases like Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis a disease which effects the nerves as well as the spinal cord of the body. Stem cell research may be in its first...
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...Jean-Marie Lux Biology 121 Stem Cell Research Paper September 12, 2012 Stem cell research is a relatively new field and has made huge advances in the past fifty years. The idea of stem cells was first made public by a Russian-American Scientist named Alexander Maksimov in 1908. However it was not until 1963 that two Canadian Scientists were able to actually demonstrate the existence of self-renewing cells found in the bone marrow of mice. The Scientists were James E. Till and Ernest A. McCulloch. So although Maksimov was the first person who put the idea of stem cells out there, it is really Till and McCulloch who are credited with proving that stems cells actually existed. Since Till and McCulloch, many Scientist have contributed to the huge advances in stem cell research. In 1968, the first successful bone marrow transplant was conducted on two siblings suffering from Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID), a primary immune deficiency which typically results in the onset of one or more serious infections within the first few months of life. These infections are usually serious, and may even be life threatening. In 1978, the presence of Haematopoietic stem cells were discovered in human cord blood cells. Haematopoietic stem cells, are multipotent stem cells that give rise to all the blood cell types. In 1981, Scientist were able to derive embryonic stem cells from mice. One of the biggest advancements in all stem cell research came in 1997 when a link between...
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...“Embryonic stem cell research has the potential to alleviate so much suffering. Surely, by working together we can harness its life-giving potential.” These words from the renowned former actress, Nancy Reagan, demonstrate the vast functions and significant impacts of stem cells in life. Stem cell research has come a long way since the nineteenth century as a cure for diseases and a savior of life. Most people view it as a method that aids researchers in advancing the use of embryos, however, stem cell research seems to have negative aspects as well. While using stem cells for treatments, it can involve the destruction of embryos, can lead to lethal side effects, and crosses ethical boundaries. Stem cell research has been an ethical dilemma...
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...Against Embryonic Stem Cell Research When does the beginning of life start? Does it start at conception? Or does it start at birth? I believe life starts at conception. Conception, or fertilization, is when the sperm and the egg unite to produce a genetically unique individual (Ertelt). Some people believe it starts as soon as the heart starts beating. Some believe life starts with the first breath. And, others believe life starts when the fetus can live without the mother. Obviously there are plenty of organisms that are alive, but do not necessarily have a heartbeat; for example, plants and bacteria. Life starts at first breath. This means the first intake of oxygen. The placenta and umbilical cord are very helpful. The entire time the baby is in the womb, the wonderful placenta and umbilical cord, in fact, does help the baby “breathe”. While the baby is growing in the womb, it is getting the perfect amount of oxygen it needs to grow – to be alive. The ones who believe the baby is considered alive when it can live without the mother are foolish. Imagine a beautiful, healthy baby. It has just been born now crying and moving desperately. But, there is no one there to help it get its needs. Is the baby considered not alive just because it cannot live without the mother, or care taker?...
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...Lori Worthy English 101 Evelyn Beck 1 December 2010 Stem Cell Research: Why it should be funded by the Government Before one could discuss the possibility of the federal government funding stem cell research; you must first define what it is and mention the options to get them. Stem cells are cells that have the ability to renew themselves through cell division in a range of cell types. It is like the body’s repairing operation. You can get them from adult stem cells, cord blood, and embryonic stem cells. Embryonic stem cells is the most effective and most controversial. There are many who distrust the ethicalness of expending embryonic stem cells because they are considered existing humans, such as the Bush administration. They sensed that the use of these stem cells instituted the slaughter of a human. The government went as far as to not federally fund stem cell research because of this. Our most recent administration has raised these bans on the investigation but not fully (Newsbatch). For years, federal funding of this study was ceased but now those barriers have been elevated and this research will only progress. It is only right that as knowledge advances in the dominion of science and healthcare that stem cell inquiry should also advance. From the beginning of time people have been searching for the fountain of youth and cures for diseases. Everybody dream of living longer and being free of illnesses. Millions are spent on easy cures and products...
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...Kind said, “More important is the fact that embryonic stem cell research could lead to new treatments and cures for the many Americans afflicted with life-threatening and debilitating diseases." Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research is greatly debated between religious and scientific groups. “Killing the embryo” or scientific research to figure out how to save others, regrow bad organs, and solve the mysteries of many diseases. Embryonic cell research may sound like a horrible ordeal but could help us solve many issues that are dealt with today. First off there is the fact that we should probably understand what it is. Embryonic stem cells are the cells of the inner cell mass of a blastocyst, which is an early-stage embryo. Human embryos reach the blastocyst stage 4-5 days post...
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...of right and wrong also known as ethics. Something that can be a problem is that, different people have different moral and ethical guidelines depending on the situation, making certain hot topic issues such as abortion, stem cell research, and the right to die highly debatable issues. Something these issues all have in common is that they all have made nationwide headlines in the past few years with parties on both sides making their points. When working in healthcare, even when one of these issues are something that people feel deeply about, providers can’t let them be the main factor in making choices for the practice or organization. Following an ethical decision...
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...Harvesting Embryonic Stem Cells Harvesting embryonic stem cells can be an argumentative topic with differing opinions. I believe by researching and experimenting on embryonic stem cells, the results can be beneficial to society through medical treatments. I believe this research will benefit medical science into further advancement. The human body contains more than 220 differentiation cell types that are acquired from a collection of cells that are referred to as embryonic stem cells. Furthermore, these cells originate from an embryo, within the inner cell mass of a blastocyst that is known to be five days old. Moreover, these cells are classified to be pluripotent, which can individualize inside any three layers of the germ. Thus, embryonic stem cells are able to reform relatively any part of the human body. In addition, these cells are capable of cloning endlessly. As a result, these cells can benefit in medicine for both regenerative medicine and medical research. Regenerative therapy is the process of reconstruction or substitution of new tissue developed with the supervision of embryonic stem cells caused by obscured and impaired tissue from a disease or injury. Therefore, when the stem cells are injected into the patient’s body, those cells locate to the injured area and begin to diffuse and expand by renewing the injured cells; thus, recovering the bodily functions in that area. A few of the illnesses that can be treated through the help of embryonic stem cells are genetic...
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...Stem Cell Research Stem cell research has been happening for 30 or more years through bone marrow transplants, but has only been a major debate for about the past ten years with the first isolation of embryonic stem cells (UMichigan). According to a popular issues website the definition of stem cells is, "… contrasted with "differentiated" cells. They offer much hope for medical advancement because of their ability to grow into almost any kind of cell” (Pros and Cons…). One of the main debates is between stem cell research and religious views. Some religions such as branches Christianity believe that obtaining and using embryonic stem cells is a sin and should not be used for research or otherwise. Even though I identify as a Christian, I believe that stem cells should be utilized, as long as an egg is not fertilized only for the use of stem cells. One reason many people don’t agree with embryonic stem cell research is that they believe that scientists use embryos that have started to develop into babies. This is a myth (UMichigan). Scientists fertilize an egg in a dish, and use it 5 days after the fertilization when the embryo only contains about 100 cells, none of which are specialized (UMichigan). The embryo is no larger than a period at the end of a sentence (UMichigan). This embryo, although beginning to form, has no heart, no spine, no limbs, and no systems (UMichigan). If this was known by more people, then many people may change their minds about stem cell...
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...The Science and Ethics of Genetic Engineering Research & Position Paper Table of Contents DNA Fingerprinting/ Genetically Modified Foods --------------------------------------------------- p. 3 Gene Therapy/Cloning------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ p. 4 Stem Cell Technology------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ p. 5 Position Paper------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- p. 6-7 Bibliography-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- p. 8-10 Evaluation Rubric----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- p. 7 DNA Fingerprinting DNA fingerprinting are tests that help to identify and analyze a person’s DNA. The term “fingerprinting” is used because finger prints, like DNA, vary from person to person and no two people have the same DNA or fingerprints. So, when scientists identify a person’s DNA, it can only be linked back to one individual and can help to obtain information about that specific individual. DNA fingerprinting can be done through many different ways. Some ways are through blood samples from a vein or heel, saliva samples, skin samples, or hair samples. The purpose of DNA fingerprinting is to help link family members together, find things that cause diseases, to help aid in crime scene investigations, and to...
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...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...
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