The Debate Of Stem Cell Research - 1519 Words

With a quote from the New International Version of the Holy Bible, I bring the topic of stem cell research to the table to inform you on a topic you most likely know nothing about. According to the bible the strong need to bear with the failings of the weak. Why should we please ourselves if we don’t care for stem cell research? Among one of the, if not the most, controversial topics of our time comes one medical science that can save lives if legalized nationwide. We are talking about stem cells of course, and why the allowance of these basic cells in common medical practice has potential to vastly improve the lives of many. Despite all the good that can be derived from stem cell research, many are none too hasty to condemn the act for†¦show more content†¦Second, under certain physiological or experimental situations they can be induced to become tissues – or organs. This leaves a great deal of unexplored area in modern medical sciences, and a great deal for humanity to gain knowledge on about the human body. Now, to expand further on the topic we are encroaching on, there are 2 main types of stem cells as far as research is concerned. The first type, the one that brings about the controversy, is embryonic stem cells. According to mayoclinic.org, these stem cells come from embryos that are three to five days old. At this stage, an embryo is called a blastocyst and has about 150 cells. These are pluripotent stem cells, meaning they can divide into more stem cells or can become any type of cell in the body. This versatility allows embryonic stem cells to be used to regenerate or repair diseased tissue and organs, although their use in people has been to date limited to eye-related disorders such as macular degeneration. The second type is adult stem cells. According to the previously mentioned source, these stem cells are found in small numbers in most adult tissues, such as bone marrow or fat. Compared with embryonic stem cells, adult st em cells have a more limited ability to give rise to various cells of the body. Yet, due to many misconceptions about stem cells and how said stem cells are derived, there is a