Stem Cells From Embryos example essay topic

The Curable of Incurables A stem cell is a type of cell that can be influenced into developing into most of the 220 types of cells found in the human body, such as, blood cells, heart cells, brain cells, and many other cells. Some researchers look upon them as offering the greatest potential for the improvement of human suffering since the development of antibiotics. Over 100 million Americans suffer from diseases that may eventually be treated more effectively or even cured with stem cells or even cured (McKay 2). Stem cells can be extracted from very young human embryos, typically from surplus frozen embryos left over from in-vitro fertilization procedures at fertility clinics. There are currently about 100,000 such embryos (McKay 4). Stem cells can now be grown in laboratories; so much further research can be done using existing stem cells.

No further harvesting needs to be made from embryos. Stem cells can also be extracted from adult tissue, without harm to the subject. Adult cells difficult to remove, are severely limited in quantity, and appear to be limited in effectiveness. "U.S. scientists have reversed the symptoms of Parkinson's disease in rats using stem cells from mouse embryos. Another team has undeniable evidence that they have isolated a stem cell from adult human bone center that can produce all the tissue types in the body, from blood to muscle to nerve. Stem cells from embryos were known to give rise to every type of cell. Those from adults were thought to have a more limited selection" (McKay 7).

Researchers hope to use stem cells to repair or replace diseased or damaged organs, leading to new treatments for human disorders that are currently incurable, including diabetes, spinal cord injuries, brain diseases, heart diseases, and certain types of cancer (Association of Reproductive Health Professionals, pars. 6-8). The new reports may top off the debate in the U.S. Senate over whether to permit the cloning of human embryos for medical research, which was delayed last year. U.S. scientists are fighting to be able to gather stem cells from human embryos. Opponents, such as anti-abortion groups, claim that such studies are unnecessary because adult stem cells are an equally all-around alternative. "A minority of profilers object to the use of embryos. They feel that a few-days-old embryo is a human person.

A minority of profilers state that extracting its stem cell kills the embryo; an act they consider murder" (qty. in Association of Reproductive Health Professionals). Research involving human stem cells promises new treatments and possible cures for many devastating diseases and injuries. I believe the possible medical benefits of human stem cell technology are convincing and worthy of pursuit. Groups arguing against human cloning have already quoted results as evidence that there is no need to clone humans to make developing stem cells. But scientists suspect that there may be some slight differences between the newly discovered adult cells and developing stem cells, which could affect how they act therapeutically..