Every human being is created from stem cells. A stem cell is a cell that has the ability to divide for indefinate periods—often throughout the life of the organism. Stem cells can be used strictly for repairing other damaged cells, such as blood, skin, and other organs. However, when stem cells mature, they become specialized stem cells or organs. Stem cells at there mature state form heart, muscle, or even brain cells. The National Institute of Health defines the embryonic stem cells have special properties:

· Capable of undergoing an unlimited number of symmetrical divisions without differentiating

· Exhibit and maintain a stable, normal complement of chromosomes

· Pluripotent ES cells can give rise to diff

erentiated cell types that are derived from all three primary germ layers of the embryo

For many years, stem cell research has been done with animals. However, the first big advancement for human stem cells came in 1998, when James Thomson of the University of Wisconsin made the first individual human embryonic stem cell lines. More and more scientists have been able to make stem cell lines since Thomson’s discover using their own approaches, which causes the demand for stem cells to rise.

The government stance on this notorious subject is they will only fund institutions that use the fetal tissues of aborted embryos and are able to oversee the projects. With government funding being limited and the prices to research stem cells being expensive, private institutions are struggling to make ends meet. Spokesman K. Dunn said this about the funding biotechnology companies, “Real progress in therapeutic cloning requires government funding for support. […] Companies doing therapeutic cloning research will remain private, despite generally noble intentions, private companies are bedeviled by the need to raise money […]. Government funding attracts talented researchers at universities and research institutions and with that comes ethical oversight.”

People who are against stem cell research argue that using and harvesting embryos whether or not they are abandoned, should be banned because the embryo is a human being in development. In attempt to abolish stem cell research Sydney Callahan argues, “Humankind should be afraid of the bitter consequences suffered from drawing exclusionary lines to determine which human lives aren't worthy of protection.” Others relate destroying embryos to abortion because embryos are the beginning of human beings and human have rights. No matter what the size, age, or intellectual level, or maturity an embryo is developing human being and should be treated as such.

For example, imagine that there is twenty-year-old girl who was subjected to stem cell research. When she grows up, she becomes and ardent “right to life” supporter. She firmly believes that life begins at conception or a

Some topics in this essay:
Mills Bentham, David Baltimore, Sydney Callahan, Research Stem, Carol Levine, Spokesman Dunn, Pluripotent ES, University Wisconsin, Institute Health, Parkinson’s Alzheimer’s, stem cells, stem cell, stem cell research, cell research, embryos created, embryonic stem, cells mature, cells human, human embryos, government funding, stem cells mature, people stem cell, cells rise, organs stem cells, human embryonic stem,