Stem Cell Research (First Draft)

Introduction:

The smallest things can make a difference. This meaning can be taken literally in terms of stem cell research. Stem cells are cells that have the potential to become any part of a body. Fundamentally, scientists take various types of donated cells from people's bodies and carefully reprogram them to develop into any part of the body as needed. (Begley & Interlandi, December 2007). Stem cell research has been continuously progressing and providing hope for better human living in health. With even further research in stem cell research, there can be more beneficial discoveries made for human kind. It is therefore essential to continue in advancing in such research in means of funds and public support.

Main Points:

Stem cell research has been used on people with life-changing results. The patients had their own stem cells used to replace damaged or diseased tissues within their body. This type of therapy has helped people gain control of their lives again without harmful results. (Wade, June 2007). Research has shown that stem cells can create organs and limbs by cultivating these cells. Whether it is a child who was born without a properly functioning organ or a woman who has lost the use of her leg in a devastating accident, stem cell research can provide a cure. Most people who are in need of an organ have to be on a waiting list. Some people do not survive this wait. Even when they do receive an organ, it might not be accepted by that person’s immune system, which can lead to complications. A person who is missing a limb cannot get a donated arm or leg but stem cells can develop one for them. Stem cells also have the potential to cure degenerating diseases such as Parkinson’s disease by replacing damaged tissues within the brain. (Wade, June 2007). Not only is it difficult for a person to physically live a life with a physical disability, there can be mental and emotional harm. With stem cell research, such potential harms can be resolved.

Stem cell research includes use of different types of cells. Embryonic cells have been the focus of much of the controversy of stem cell research due to the debate that embryos are considered “life”. (Price, February 2007). However, there is a new type of cell that is showing the potential to take the spotlight off of embryonic cells. Skin cells have been used to mimic embryonic stem cells and, in the same way, develop into cells with the same potential as embryonic. With the use of embryonic cells, there have been more advances in research which is that much closer in its developmental stage. Still, the discovery of skin cells have shown promise to the world of stem cell research because, if shown improvements, there will be more funding for the program. As with any research, funding for research programs is crucial to the development of any scientific breakthrough.

As with any research, there cannot be advancing if there is no financial assistance. The road to landmark breakthroughs can be costly and risky, but the possible outcomes outweigh such skepticisms. President Bush has been hesitant to provide governmental funding for embryonic stem cell research because of his beliefs that the start of life starts at the stage of an embryo. Though there are funds coming in from the government, it is not what it could be if it was not for the President’s beliefs. (Wade, June 2007). Not only from the government, but private funding may be withheld because of such concerns. Fortunately, there has been the recent finding of skin cells being used as stem cells. If stem cell research is further funded, there can be even more impressive discoveries found.

Different perspectives:

The lab mice have successfully had skin cells develop within their bodies, along with something else. These mice were prone to develop tumors. (Wade, June 2007). These findings are hard to ignore and even harder to take in from a stem cell researcher’s perspective. They found a great discovery that could end the controversial use of embryonic cells, yet it can end up not being practical. There are some scientists who have even concluded that stem cell research is a waste of time and money. These scientists say that the new research with skin cells show no signs of promise. With such doubts even in the science community how can the world believe in hope for success in stem cell research?

The main controversy is about embryonic stem cells. When does a life start? To some, it is at the very beginning- conception. To people who believe this, the use of embryos for research is cruel and inhumane. Embryos are potential fetuses and the researchers kill them. Seeing it from this perspective, it is a selfish way of thinking to use a “life” to treat already existing humans. This “life” has no way of defending itself and we take full advantage of that.

Rebuttal:

The focus on research should be to keep looking into such matters and finding ways to eliminate them. Skin cell research has only been discovered within the last year and still has to have years to mature. (Begley & Interlandi, December 2007). Still, with further study, skin cells can have the possibility of being concluded as unusable for the treatment of patients as embryonic stem cells have shown. The point of research, however, is to find such a potential, explore the ways it can benefit human kind, and keep testing. There is no certainty with anything, but there must be hope and perseverance. Hopefully, the use of skin cells for stem cell research will indeed persevere as it can turn focus away from controversial ideas and more on the benefits to human life.

The fact about embryos is that they are not potential life. Embryos for research are taken from discarded use from in vitro procedures and donations that woman willingly make. (Price, February 2007). These embryos were not implanted into a woman’s body and the women did not want to be with child. How can embryos be considered life when they never had a true potential to be developed into a human being?

Conclusion:

Stem cell research, though still in its growing stages, show convincing hope for the field of health sciences. With uses for replacing organs, body parts, and damaged tissues in the brain, stem cell research can help people live physically normal lives. Though research can be costly, these benefits are of higher value. There is no guarantee for stem cell research, but trying to develop a way to improve human life is worth the effort.

References

Begley, S., & Interlandi, W. J. (2007, December 3). Reality check on an embryonic debate; so skin cells can turn into stem cells. That doesn't mean cures are in sight. Newsweek, 52.

Price, Joyce Howard, THE WASHINGTON. (2007, February 11). Stem - cell researchers look beyond the embryo. The Washington Times, pp. A01.

Wade, N. (2007, June 7). Biologists make skin cells work like stem cells. The New York Times, pp. 1.