Stem Cell Research Under Fire Essay -- essays papers

Stem Cell Research Under Fire Stem cell research should be continued so that it will one day lead to cures for the world's worst diseases, such as Alzhiemers, heart disease, Parkinsons, and diabetes. The stem cells are taken from a human embryo and placed in a petri dish, where scientists can manipulate them to produce whatever cells are needed (Blumenstyk, 2004). Stem cells can be used to regenerate bones, organs, tissues, and can even aid in treating such diseases as listed above. Many universities, such as Vanderbilt and Case Western, are participating in the research for two main reasons. One, to help contribute to the research to manufacture drugs to help the sickly, and two, to share in the profits of the quickly growing industry. Eventually, scientists will have figured out how to use stem cells from another donor, and not just of the diseased or injured person, to regenerate cells and/or muscle tissues. As an embryo is in its development stage inside of the womb, there are different chemicals that ar e exposed to the stem cells, which in turn â€Å"tell† the stem cells what type of neuron to be. Stem cells are the body’s master cells. They can renew themselves indefinitely and can even turn into any number of different types of cells needed in the body such as muscles, nerves, bones or even blood. Stem cells can be â€Å"molded† into what type of cell our bodies need. This makes them essential to repairing and renewing bodily tissues throughout our lives. Our body retains stem cells that are formed at conception, and store them in various parts of the body so as to have a reserve that can be accessed at any point in time later on in life (World Almanac & Book of Facts, Science News of 2003, p670 ... ...opic† until something else remotely controversial comes alone for people to be up and arms about. No matter what, you cannot please everyone all the time, and with as many billions of people in this world, someone is bound to do something that someone else does not like. Stem cell research is and will be for a long time a big breakthrough in the field of bio-Medicine. Whether funding come from the state itself, the federal government, or even the private sector, these promising ideas should not be stopped. For chance of sounding ignorant, you cannot make an omelette withou breaking a few eggs. Many lives could be saved if this research found a way to cure and treat some diseases. If this research is stopped at its relatively early age now, then we may never know what might be. If we do not at least try, then we are not bettering our race for future generations.