Stem Cell Research Persuasive Speech

If one were to imagine a future in which incurable diseases were suddenly curable or in which human life could be extended with a simple insertion of cells, he or she would most likely think of a futuristic society filled with astonishing scientific inventions and unimaginable new technologies. With present stem cell research, these discoveries would not belong to a society hundreds of years in the future, but in current society. Granted stem cell research may offend some people’s religious convictions, in order to continue to improve the quality of life and to further the advancements made within the scientific and medical fields, private religious ideals should not affect public stem cell research.

Stem cell research while a controversial

“…The most important applications of stem cell research today lie in the areas of disease research and targeted drug development” (Hyun). Previously remediless diseases that were too complex and convoluted for researchers to diagram can now be mapped out - from the developmental stages of the sickness to the late stages. Trials of new drugs and treatments, which were formerly tested on volunteer subjects or animals, can now be harmlessly tested on samples of stem cells. Experts can derive and study stem cells that are genetically matched to the ailments the beta medications or therapies are intended for allowing for risk-free trials. Author Liu notes benefits of the generation of human iPS (induced pluripotent stem) cells recalling how scientists compared these cells to “the biological equivalent of the Wright

A chimera – a term stolen from Greek mythology referring to a grotesque creature that is part-goat, part-snake, and part-lion – creation especially frightens and offends many people. “Some consider any research involving manipulation of human embryos morally wrong, and chimera research may lead to needless human and animal suffering stemming from both research and potential deformities resulting from chimerism” (Hagglund). The conception of a human-non-human chimera challenges the temporal and spatial boundaries of human life. Presently, humans are the top predator with no other being on Earth able to recreate the advancements forged by Homo sapiens throughout the ages. If a scientist were to create an enhanced chimera with the cognitive capabilities comparable to that of a human, Homo sapiens would cease to be top predator. In the amalgamation of human and non-human genes a being may be born that intrudes on the human biological niche as well. Scientists may cross the lines of human and veterinary medicine in order to treat the creature for any sicknesses or diseases. The gap between humans and all other creatures continues to close with this type of experimentation. Not only does the present type of experimentation disturb some, but the thought of what future types of experimentation that may come to pass if a line is not drawn somewhere continues to unsettle many.