Embryonic Stem Cells - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 2 Words: 567 Downloads: 1 Date added: 2019/06/26 Category Biology Essay Level High school Tags: Stem Cell Essay Did you like this example? What if I told you that researchers could cure diseases like Diabetes, heart disease, Alzheimers or Parkinsons? The chances of you being on board with ending these horrible diseases that millions of people suffer from each year is extremely high. The cures of these diseases are the potential result of embryonic stem cell research. The heated battle over stem cell research is currently a hot button topic along side abortion, gay marriage, and illegal immigration. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Embryonic Stem Cells" essay for you Create order As ardently as each side defends their stance on a controversial issue, an opposing side fights with equal diligence for the belief they feel should be valued. Much interest and effort has focused on the therapeutic potential of stem cell technology to treat presently intractable diseases. However, this scientific promise has been accompanied by important issues, including ethical hurdles, political policies and dilemmas concerning cell source selection from an embryo. While supporters of stem cells claim the potential they can cure everything from blindness to paralysis to curing diseases, those against stem cell science liken the procedure used by scientists to murder. It is my intention to bring to light the positive benefits of stem cell research as well as counter the claims used by many pro-life groups and governmental obstacles. Stem cells are cells that have the potential to form into many different cells in the human body. In essence, these cells are the building blocks within the human body to become an eye, an arm, or even the nervous system. If a damaged tissue or organ cannot repair itself, stem cells could be obtained from these different stem cell sources [organs and tissues from individuals after birth; gametes; tissues and organs from aborted fetuses; inner cell mass of early embryos]. Scientists could then culture these stem cell by creating conditions that enable them to replicate many times in a petri dish without differentiating, Such a population of proliferating stem cells originating from a single parent group of stem cells is a stem cell line. Stem cells from this stem cell line could then be coaxed to differentiate into the desired cell type, and be transferred into the patient so that they can repair the damaged tissue or organ (Devolder 6). While few can debate the potential miracle cure aspect that seems to be wrapped within stem cell research, the method for obtaining such cells has become the topic for debate. The use of embryonic stem cells has been highly-publicized and is controversial. Most of the current methods used to harvest embryonic stem cells destroy the embryo. The controversy is that the best stem cells are retrieved from embryos that are then destroyed in the extraction process. Many oppose embryonic stem cell research because it kills a living human embryo in the process, which Pro Life advocates see as murder. There is an unending conflict between those who see as the potential to save lives, and those who see it as murder. There are two main positions on embryonic stem cell research. The main reason the topic is controversial is because Pro life advocates, Christians, and many republicans see the destruction of the human embryo as murder or the ending of a potential human life. Critics argue that this destruction of human life is not worth the benefits because life is destroyed to potentially save another. The argument comes down to the same one as abortion, but at an even smaller scale. Embryonic Stem Cells - Free Essay Example Sample details Pages: 3 Words: 792 Downloads: 8 Date added: 2019/06/26 Category Biology Essay Level High school Tags: Stem Cell Essay Did you like this example? For centuries, past scientific discoveries have paved the way for future innovations. In addition, they have also positively impacted and influenced the medical and science field. A new discovery that scientists are looking into are Embryonic Stem Cells†otherwise known as ES Cells. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Embryonic Stem Cells" essay for you Create order While scientists are rushing to observe and experiment with ES Cells, many support the use because of the benefits, while others strongly oppose. ES cells are proven to drastically benefit the medical industry, but the morality of the process of extracting them are questioning and controversial. In this paper, the ethicalness, benefits, and disadvantages of Embryonic STEM cells will be evaluated. To begin with, an embryonic stem cell is a cell that is derived from an early stage human embryo. In order to be harvested, the egg cell must be fertilized by a sperm cell and be less than a week old. According to the National Institutes of Health, scientists discovered ways to derive embryonic stem cells from early mouse embryos more than 30 years ago, in 1981. The biology of mice is similar to humans, so this aided scientists to take a step further in their experiments. After this discovery, scientists discovered a procedure on how to extract stem cells from blastocysts†or a ball of approximately 100 cells that will eventually form an embryo. As humans age, their bones weaken and many cells that are essential for health become inflicted with disease and/ or damaged. According to an article, Cell Division Can Be Halted In Multiple Ways, With Implications For Cancer, published by Brown University, Cellsexcept for cancerous onescannot reproduce forever. When aging cells stop dividing, they become senescent. Senescent cells do not function the way young cells do, and are believed to be associated with skin wrinkles, immune system problems and age-related diseases, including cancer. In this excerpt, the article points out that senescent cells are in connection with reasons for illnesses in the elder population. As organs and muscle cells deteriorate, the functions of the body system are affected. Moreover, the importance of ES Cells is that they have the possibility of being reprogrammed into any cell. When a fertilized egg in the fetus begins rapidly multiplying, the inner cells in the blastocyst can induce to become any spec ific somatic cell or vital organ. Since ES cells have the ability to become body cells, heart cells, nerve cells, and blood cells, scientists believe that this can replace deteriorating cells and possibly cure cancer. The benefits of ES Cells can be limitless in the medical field because stem cells can be a possible source for cell transplants, which will reduce the need for organ donations. Also, because ES cells have the ability to differentiate into vital cells, it introduces new propositions to cure cardiovascular disease and type one diabetes. In the future, doctors will have the opportunity of transplanting stem cells and organs produced by stem cells. Although, ES Cells are exponential and may have the ability to go beyond science and medicine, there are negative aspects that are tied to them. Furthermore, the disadvantages of extracting stem cells from the inner cell of embryo leads to the destruction of the cell. The inner cell of the embryo is essential for life and is needed in order for the human embryo to develop into a fetus. People strongly oppose the use of ES Cells because of the source that it is acquired from, so they see it as an immoral act. There are many other approaches that scientists can take to search for stem cells that include all of the characteristics of the human embryonic stem cells. For instance, new findings have found an abundant amount of stem cells in body fat. According to Susan Lim, adult stem cells can be discovered in our blood, in our bone marrow, in our fat, our skin and other organs. Susan Lim†a surgeon pioneer†has a new proposition for transplanting cells instead of organs. Lim cl aims that instead of using ES cells for use, scientists can use other sources of stem cells for their studies. While ES Cells are highly significant, the ethicalness of the extraction is controversial. The ES Cells discovery will always be a landmark finding, but, unfortunately, ES Cells are unethical, and a new way must be found to enhance human health. The importance of Embryonic Stem Cells will effectively encourage scientists to search for additional procedures for cures. While the possibilities of using ES Cells are fascinatingly endless, scientists must discover other types of STEM cells†with the same characteristics as ES Cells†because the extraction of ES Cells destroys the embryo, which is seen as unethical in the eyes of many. As scientists continue their research, new discoveries will uncover ways to enhance human health.