Stem Cell Research Argumentative Essay

Kylie Benefield

Amber McWhorter

Literature

December 8, 2014

Stem Cell Research: The Never-ending Debate Human understanding of genetics has expanded greatly since the 1950’s, which has led to many supporters but also an equal, if not greater, amount of adversary’s. While human stem cells are recognized universally as a remarkable scientific resource (Stem Cell Laws, 1), many people disagree. Stem cell research has caused political, religious, and scientific debate all over the world. Before you can choose a side in this debate you must first know the facts about stem cells.

Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that give rise to descendent cells that become cell types (Stem Cells Controversies and Research, 1). This means that the cells

The study of stem cells could ultimately unlock the cure for very many diseases. Stem cells could be used to treat diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, and even spinal cord injuries (Embryonic Stem Cell Research- Old Controversy; New Debate, 2). Recently, a group of UCLA researchers have purified a subset of stem cells from fat tissue and used them to grow a bone (UCLA researchers use stem cells to grow new bone, 1). The bone showed to form faster and was of higher quality than a bone grown using traditional methods (UCLA researchers use stem cells to grow new bone, 1). This discovery may one day eliminate the need for painful bone grafts that use material take from patients during invasive procedures. (UCLA researchers use stem cells to grow new bone, 1). The fact that we can make a completely new bone out of cells is a scientific breakthrough. This new bone is just the beginning of much greater things; if scientists can create a new bone then maybe one day they can create entirely new correctly functioning organs. The lifestyle of people with diseases could be drastically changed for the

Historically, destroying blastocysts has been the only way to obtain human embryonic stem cells (Stem Cell Controversies and Research, 1). Blastocysts are the hollow cellular structure formed in early embryonic development (Stem Cell Laws, 1). They are what might eventually turn into a fetus and then into a baby.On August 9, 2001, President George Bush signed a into law a ban on federal funding for the creation of embryos purely for the reason of research in which the embryo will be destroyed or discarded (Stem Cells Controversy and Research, 1). Since the majority of stem cell research is federally funded, the research became very limited, and his supporters praised his decision. Since then, President Obama has lifted some bans against the use of embryos in stem cell research (Stem Cell Controversy and Research,