Joanne Rains Biology Lab 1031 Instructor Tiffany Goodman Oct 11, 2012

Human Stem Cell Research Nearly everyone inside or outside the medical or scientific community can agree that Human Stem Cell Research provides one of the most promising and exciting frontier for treating patients with a host of life threatening diseases and conditions. Human Stem Cell Research and treatments represent our greatest opportunity that can fulfill our cause to heal the sick, and improve the quality of millions of lives. No one will argue the facts on the benefits of Human Stem Cell Research, but the question that can ignite emotions are where the stem cells are found. There are many areas to stem cells, such as Fetal Stem Cell, Umbilical Cord Stem Cell; Placenta derived Stem Cell, Adult Stem Cell, Embryonic Stem Cell and Pluripotent Stem Cell, which are able to make cells from all three-body layers, (endoderm, mesoderm and ectoderm). There are several types of Pluripotent Stem Cells, including Embryonic Stem Cells. The master property called, Pluripotency.

Embryonic Stem Cell is the one that causes such uproar in society. With some believing are highly unethical. First, most Embryonic Stem Cells are

developed from eggs that have been fertilized in-vitro in an in-vitro fertilization clinic, with the consent of the donor. They are not derived from the eggs fertilized in a woman. Even with this process, some believe that a human embryo is an innocent human being in their first stage of life. To intentionally kill an innocent human being at any stage of life including this one, to some is wrong.

In conclusion, stem cell research holds such great promise in treating lifethreatening diseases, and should continue on all levels such as Embryonic Stem Cell, Fetal Stem Cell, Umbilical Cord Stem Cell, Placenta derived Stem Cell and Adult Stem Cell. With the words of President Obama, who in 2009 lifted the ban on Embryonic Stem Cell Research stated, Medical miracles do not happen simply by accident. They result from painstaking and costly research, from years of lonely trial and error, much of which never bears fruit, and from a government willing to support that work. Ultimately, I cannot guarantee that we find

treatments and cures we seek. No President can promise that. But I can promise that we will seek themactively, responsible, and with the urgency required to make up for lost ground. These words, I hope will continue to be echo for years to come.

Work Cited

"National Institutes of Health (NIH)." U.S National Library of Medicine. "Stem Cell Research." All.org. N.p., n.d. Web. 06 Aug. 2012. "Stem Cell Research: All Viewpoints." Religious Tolerance. N.p., 10 Apr. 2012. Web. 06 Oct. 2012. <http://www.religioustolerance.org/>. U.S. National Library of Medicine, 16 Aug. 2012. Web. 06 Oct. 2012. <http://nih.gov/>.