Stem Cell Research-Argumentative
Stem cell research has been a highly debated topic in our society this year. A variety of social, political, ethical and religious viewpoints have been brought to our attention. Many religious groups believe stem cell research is a violation of human rights. When Pope John Paul II addressed President Bush on the subject of federal funding of this research, he called it an “assault on innocent human life.” According to a release in May 2001 from the “National Institute of Health“, many scientists believe stem cell research may eventually lead to therapies that could be used to treat diseases that afflict approximately 128 million Americans. There are many people who agree with the Pope on this issue but there are many people that support the research. Before you form your opinion on this issue, I want you to imagine a beautiful woman laying almost lifeless in a hospital bed. She is just 45 years old. Her hair is shiny, jet-black - not even close to gray yet and her face is very youthful - no wrinkles yet. Imagine you are told she is dying from liver failure and she has days if not hours to live. Now imagine she is your mother. It is nearly impossible for you to understand what this would truly feel like unless yo
In order to fully understand the importance of stem cell research, it is absolutely essential to be educated about what exactly stem cells are and what is involved in the research so far. Stem cells are cells that have the ability to divide for indefinite periods in culture and to give rise to specialized cells. Human development begins when a sperm fertilizes an egg and creates a single cell that has the potential to form an entire organism. This fertilized egg is scientifically referred to as totipotent, meaning that its potential is total. In the first hours after fertilization, this cell divides into identical totipotent cells. This means that either one of these cells, if placed into a woman’s uterus, has the potential to develop into a fetus. Approximately four days after fertilization and several cycles of cell division, these cells begin to specialize, forming a hollow sphere of cells, called a blastocyst. The blastocyst has an outer layer of cells and inside the hollow sphere, there is a cluster of cells called the inner cell mass. The outer layer of cells will go on to form the placenta and other supporting tissues needed for fetal development in the uterus. The inner cell mass cells will go on to form virtually all of the tissues of the human body. The inner cell mass cells can form virtually every type of cell in the human body but they cannot form an organism because they are unable to give rise to the placenta and supporting tissues necessary for development in the human uterus. These inner cell mass cells are pluripotent, meaning they can give rise to many types of cells but not all types of cells necessary f
Some topics in this essay:
Institute Health“,
InVitro Fertilization,
Parkinson’s Alzheimer’s,
,
President Bush,
stem cell,
cell research,
stem cell research,
inner cell mass,
cell mass,
inner cell,
stem cells,
Paul II,
cells form,
specialized cells,
mass cells,
cell mass cells,
consent obtained,
cells form virtually,
placenta supporting tissues,
placenta supporting,
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Approximate Word count = 1111
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)
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