30 Dec 2008 11:14 PM

Defining Their Boudary To Save Our Lives

....Stem Cell Research

               Stem cell research contributes in finding cure for untreatable diseases. It gives hope for individuals who are suffering from a disease that might be cured through stem cell therapy. However, President Bush will not allow the needed amount of funding for this research. Stem cell research seeks new knowledge. As a result, it offers a way to repair diseased and damaged body tissues by replacing them with new genetically modified cells.  

               Scientists believe that stem cell research gives a light to a longer and healthier life.

The process called “Therapeutic cloning” allows us  “of taking a single cell from a human donor , removing the nucleus, which contains the individual’s genetic blueprint, and merging it with an egg cell that has had its own nucleus removed.” Before we discuss the depth of human cloning, I believe defining what a stem cell is would allow us to have a breadth of understanding. Stem cells begin with human development when a sperm cell fertilizes an egg and creates a single cell that has the potential to form an entire living organism, where actually life begins. They are also capable of extensive division, self-renewal and are able to develop into specialized cell types. As far as what was discussed in our readings, there are two stem cells which I am keenly familiar with. They are classified as adult stem cells and embryonic stem cells. All have the potential to replace cells that have died in the body, and doing so makes them like new again.

 

Adult stem cells are found in cells of a tissue or organ. The primary role of adult stem cells is to maintain and repair the tissues in which they are found. .  Embryonic stem cells are formed after fertilization and require abortion procedure. President Bush, including certain group of people, is against it; because it is believed that the research will raise the abortion rate.

     

We have previously discussed that stem cells could be used to cure incurable diseases such as cancer, heart disease Alzheimer’s or even Parkinson’s disease. But the problem lies when we pass the line between technology and human rights. Policy makers are facing difficulties in clearly defining the limit in which medical advancement is sought and life saved.

 

                Stem cell research is a perplexing topic. The fact that we are at the beginning stage in the research process, has arisen various points of views between proponents and opponents. Medical technology really has no line to be stopped until it violates human rights. In the same token, human rights begin at the abortion part of stem cell research in which woman makes the decision to get an abortion and decision if wants that embryo to be used. “Feminists have been slow to oppose human genetic engineering” being “seduced by the medical promises.”  I would oppose if medical scientist use stem cells to create a human being. In another case, I would support if medical scientist use stem cells to cure the incurable diseases that people are fighting. I have a mixed feeling about it because until this date there has not been a defined boundary on the extent which we could save lives and also cure diseases.     

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health, religion, stem cell

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