Stem Cell Research Essay -- Papers Science Biology Essays

Stem Cell Research Works Cited Not Included Stem cell research is an ongoing controversial issue. What exactly is stem cell research? How would this type of research affect people's lives? What are stem cells? Where do they come from and what are their uses in the human body? What diseases and medical conditions could be helped if not eventually cured completely? Scientists are very optimistic regarding stem cell research. Whether or not that research will be allowed to continue, in an unobstructed, way is still to be decided. How much do you know about stem cell research? Most people have heard that it may be the new miracle cure of the century. However, many of these same people don't know that the research has been around for more then twenty years. Only recently, in the past few years, has there been a major step made in the cultivation of human embryonic stem cells(Nature Publishing Group). So, what exactly are stem cells? These cells are what make up every cell in the human body, from skin cells to brain cells. They serve as a sort of body repair. Upon cell division, they can change to any type of cell as long as they are in a living animal or being. At that point, the stem cell can either remain a stem cell, or change into another type of cell, such as a muscle cell, blood cell, or brain cell(National Institue of Health). According to Elizabeth Cohen, CNN Medical correspondent, "They are essentially blank cells that potentially can be turned into pretty much any type of body tissue. So, for example, you could take a stem cell and in the lab convert it to a cardiac muscle cell and inject it into a heart that's bee... ...cell research may in fact promote unregulated and potentially unethical research (Research Unregulated). We have the knowledge and the know how to use it. It so easy to say no to something we don't understand. The possibilities of so many potential cures lie in lab and cannot be accessed because we as a people haven't decided if the research is ethical or not. Many opponents believe that any research on human embryos, which keeps them from developing into a human life, is the same as abortion. Then again, you have opponents like Senator Orrin Hatch who is anti-abortion but pro stem cell research (Cohen, CNN Interview). If we can draw a line in the sand between abortion and research on an embryo the results could be life saving. Lets just not waste too much time arguing about it. The next life saved could be your own.