Rachel Geahlen
English 101
Mary Jane Helsel
3/22/09
Imagine having a terrible disease that limited you in many ways. Or possibly, you got
into an accident and suffered a spinal cord injury. Being told there was no cure would be one
of the most devastating things you could hear. But one day your doctor tells you that there’s a
possible cure for you. Stem cells are that cure. they have many different uses and can
eventually cure numerous diseases.Stem cell research, while very limited, is making these
cures possible.
Stem Cell Research is one of the most controversial topics being talked about today.
there are many different types of stem cells being used or researched. One of the most
controversial ones are embryonic stem cells. People against embryonic stem cell research
claim that it is killing a human life and immoral. Most embryonic stem cells are acquired
through frozen embryos that are not being used from IVF clinics. Embryonic stem cells have
the ability to form all three germ layers, but are unable to form an entire human life.(Devitt 11)
These stem cells have enabled investigators to make substantial developmental biology
gains, therapeutic tissue engineering, and reproductive cloning. Embryonic stem cells have
the ability to develop into any adult cell. They also have the ability to detect the use of drugs
and chemicals in the body. The embryonic stem cells represent hope for millions of
Americans.
In a survey conducted by the Pew Research Center, fiftysix percent of Americans
believe that the benefits of embryonic stem cell research outweighs the concerns. The
number of people that are for the use of embryonic cells has risen thirteen percent since
2002. More and more people are accepting the use of embryonic stem cells. Twentynine
percent of Americans strongly oppose Embryonic stem cell research. Fiftyseven percent of
people that oppose it base it on their religious views. One of the most surprising things is the
number of religious groups that are for the use of embryonic stem cells. The united Methodist
Church, the church that George W. Bush, who vetoed the bill for federal funding of stem cell
research attends, approves embryonic stem cell research with the use of embryos from IVF
clinics. The Committee on Jewish law and Standards of the United Synagogue of
Conservative Judaism also approves the use of embryos from IVF clinics of ESC research.
Another is the General Convention of the Episcopal Church. said that using the embryos that
would be discarded keeps up with their call for healing the afflicted.Some islamic groups also
approve the research. They believe there is nothing wrong with conducting the research as
long as it can cure diseases. (Clemmitt 4)
There are several alternative to using embryonic stem cells. James Thomoson
discovered a way to extract human stem cells.(Bender 187) Adult stem cells have many uses.
A woman with diabetes received stem cells from her mother and she gained independence
from insulin. A patient with Parkinson’s disease had almost full recovery for several years
after he received his own stem cells. Transplant of tissue contain one’s own stem cells is safe
and causes some improvement in people that have severe a severe spinal cord injury.
Several studies have reported that patients with heart disease benefit from adult stems cells
from bone marrow.(Nelson 193) Another alternative is umbilical cord stem cells. Cord blood
stem cells are being transplanted for blood diseases and repair of bone marrow following
chemotherapy.(Hollands 213) Unfortunately, there is not much use with umbilical stem cells
because most cord blood is discarded as medical waste after deliveries. research has shown
that stem cells from bone marrow circulating in blood could differentiate into the cells that
make up blood vessels.(Brownlee 1) A newer category is amniotic fluid stem cells. Amniotic
fluid stem cells have some similarities with embryonic stem cells. AFSC multiply very quickly
and are longlived.
Some opponents against stem cell research are against it because they say that
embryos are human. Embryos are only potential humans. (Holchberg 43) The embryos used
for the research are very tiny and are only composed of a few cells. They are nowhere near
being actual human beings. (Holchberg 43) They want rights for embryos that are not even
human yet, but they do not want to think of the possibility of helping people that have
diseases by using embryonic stem cells. One opponent believes that embryonic stem cell
research is a threat to the women’s health. He says that over 100,00 women had severe
complications from egg harvesting and that women have even died from it. He also claims the
type of women that would donate eggs are mostly ones that need money or are too poor to
know about the risks. Knowing the risks, most women would not consent to egg harvesting
unless they felt that they had no choice. (Solenni 76)
As with any type of research, risks or complications are involved. There is also the
possibility that the cures will not work. But if you look at the big picture, the benefits will clearly
outweigh the risks. Stem cell research should be allowed and federally funded. Doing so will
help tons of people cure their diseases or injuries.
Works Cited
Clemmitt, Marcia. “Stem Cell Research.” CQ Researcher September 1, 2006: 2+
Neaves, William. "Are there Alternatives to Embryonic Stem Cells." Stem Cells.
Greenhaven Press, 2007. 186+
11+