Stem Cell Report

2 Pages 469 Words

Stem cell research, recently a huge issue of debate among Congress, lobby groups, and the general American public is perhaps the single most important decision to be made right now regarding medical research. There are two main groups with differing viewpoints, the “conserve life at any cost” faction and the “medical research for the goodwill of humankind” faction. Both sides have valid arguments, but the reality of the situation is that stem cell research will take place, if not in the United States, then some other country in the world.
Stem cell research consists of obtaining stem cells from human cells. Stem cells are the most undifferentiated human cells and as a result possess the ability to develop in a multitude of directions, making it ideal for use as a research tool. Stem cells are either totipotent (ability to develop into a complete human organism) or pluripotent (ability to develop into multiple cell types of an organism). Human embryos and fetal tissue are very good sources for stem cells. The controversy is prevalent in this area of stem cell research.
The science community feels that stem cell research will benefit the field of medicine in a great way. Studying stem cells will give scientists a thorough understanding of the regeneration techniques utilized by the body and eventually allow these researchers to harness this technology to regenerate cells, organs or even an entire organism. The advantages to this in the field of medicine are obvious and numerous. People with terminal illnesses such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s would be greatly benefiting from stem cell research as well as various other diseases. Another valid argument in favor of pursuing this research is the belief that if the United States bans stem cell research, breakthroughs will take place in other countries that allow this type of research. The positive aspects of stem cell research clearly outweigh the negative.
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