Embryonic Stem Cell Research
The use of human embryonic stem cells in scientific research has held great promise for some but this research has also produced powerful objections from others. Indeed, there is a profound if sometimes vehemently expressed moral argument that emerges from embryonic stem cell research. The principal objections to the use of these stem cells has come from evangelicals, conservative Christians and others who equate using embryonic stem cells with killing a potential human. Those who acknowledge the potential benefits that may be derived from research using embryonic stem cells tend to people who are politically progressive, college educated individuals, and those in the field of science and those searching for treatments and/or cures for Alzheimer's, cancer, Parkinson's disease, spinal cord injuries, among other serious health issues. This paper will examine both sides of the issue, all relevant arguments, and will attempt an unbiased review of what the…...

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Works Cited

Babington, Charles. (2006). Stem Cell Bill Gets Bush's First Veto. The Washington Post.

Retrieved March 29, 2012, from  http://www.washingtonpost.com .

Hanley, Joanna, Rastegarlari, Ghasem, and Nathwani, Amit C. (2010). An Introduction to Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells. British Journal of Haematology, 151(1), 16-24.

Harvard Law Review. (2006). Civil Law -- Federal Funding of Human Embryonic Stem Cell

In avoiding the current controversy on the morality of embryonic stem cell research, researchers and doctors have resorted to other options (Dobson 2004, National Review 2004). Substitutes like adult stem cells and somatic cell nuclear transfer from placental or umbilical cord stem cells of newborns. Adult stem cells, however, were found to be nearly not as malleable as human embryonic stem cells or those acquired through somatic cell nuclear transfer. These were found good for reproducing red and white blood cells and platelets, but not for replacing neurons, muscle or organ tissue. On the other hand, somatic cell nuclear transfer from the placental or umbilical cord stem cells of newborns tended to be rejected by the body and developed immune reaction problems (Dobson).
Conclusion unanimous opinion on the ethics of conducting embryonic stem cell research may not be possible in a pluralistic society, such as that of the United States,…...

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Bibliography

Brownie, C. (2005). Turning back time: embryonic stem cell rejuvenates skin cell. 2 pages.

Science News: Science Service, Inc.

Christian Century (2006). Harvard announces stem cell research with human embryos. 2 pages.

Christian Century Foundation: Gale Group

Conclusion

The research showed that one of the most important, but hotly debated, issues in biomedicine in recent years has been embryonic stem cell research. The fundamental questions involved in this debate relate to the status of human embryos and whether any type of research that involves the destruction of a potential human being is morally and legally defensible. The research also showed, though, that the vast majority of the stem cells used in this research would have been discarded and therefore destroyed anyway. Although a lack of international guidelines regarding embryonic stem cell research has contributed to the controversy, the research was consistent in describing the potential, but largely speculative, beneficial outcomes that might be achieved that will benefit humankind in myriad ways. hile researchers continue their efforts to identify alternative sources for stem cells for their research, the fact remains that embryonic stem cells represent a valuable resource that…...

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Works Cited

Cogdell, Kimberly J. 2009. "Saving the Leftovers: Models for Banking Cord Blood Stem Cells."

Issues in Law & Medicine 25(2): 145-147.

Eve, David J., Phillip J. Marty, Robert J. Mcdermott, Stephen K. Klasko and Paul R. Sanberg.

2008. "Stem Cell Research and Health Education." American Journal of Health

Under the terms of Canada's proposed Assisted Human Reproduction Act outlined in September 22, 2003 issue of Health Law Review, it is not ethically acceptable to create human embryos specifically for research purposes, although "in cases where human embryos are created for reproductive purposes, and subsequently are no longer required for such purposes research involving human embryos may be considered to be ethically acceptable" if they meet certain criteria outlined in the bill (Knoppers 2003).

In November 2004, the United States and other opponents of human cloning shelved their bid for a United Nations treaty to ban the controversial procedure due to opposition by nations seeking to allow cloning from embryonic stem cell research (adhams 2004). hile there is near universal support among the 191 members of the United Nations to ban reproductive cloning, countries are still wresting over whether to allow cloning for stem cell and other research (adhams 2004).

orks…...

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Works Cited

Lysaught, M. Therese. "Holy Grail or Pandora's Box?: Evaluating Human

Embryonic Stem Cell Research." World and I; 11/1/1999; Pp.

Wright, Shirley J. "Human embryonic stem-cell research: science and ethics."

American Scientist; 7/1/1999; Pp.

(Condic, 31) Scientists visualize immeasurable value in the application of embryonic stem cell research to comprehend human growth and the development and healing of ailments. More than 100 million Americans are ailing from the diseases that subsequently might be dealt more successfully or even cured with embryonic stem cell procedure. Majority of the researchers consider stem cell research as having large prospects for healing human ailments ever since the inception of antibiotics. (Pros & Cons of Embryonic Stem Cell esearch) Stem cells have extended much expectation by assuring largely to expand horizontally in terms of number and range of patients that could have advantage from transplants, and to entail cell replacement procedure to heal the devastating ailments like diabetes, cancer, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's and Huntington's disease, Alzheimer's disease, spinal cord injuries, heart disease, several innumerable ailments due to rare immune system and genetic disorders and many more. (Lovell-Badge, 88)
Even…...

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References

Birnbaum, Ben. Embryonic Stem Cell Research: Should Federal Funding be Expanded?

The Cornell Daily Sun. 20 October 2006. pp: 4-5

Bobrow, James C. The Ethics and Politics of Stem Cell Research. Transactions of the American Ophthalmological Society. December, 2005. Vol: 103; No: 4; pp: 138-142.

Cogle, C.R; Guthrie, S.M; Sanders, R.C; Allen, W.L; Scot, E.W; Petersen, B.E. An Overview of stem cell research and regulatory issues. Mayo Clinical Proceedings. August, 2003. Vol: 78; No: 8; pp: 993-1003

However, unlike embryonic stem cell, adult stem cell cannot be as easily controlled.
Conclusion

Because of its complicated theory and controversy, many people do not know much about stem cell research. Some people do not even know that there are two different types of stem cells: embryonic stem cells and adult stem cells. hile many people are still in favor of embryonic stem cell research, the alternative -- adult stem cells -- could be a viable technology of research was conducted on it more extensively. there are no ethical or religious objections to adult stem cell research, as it neither creates nor destroys life. This makes adult stem cell research the easier choice for society to make.

ork Cited

Begley, S. (2001). "Celluar Divide." Newsweek, July.

CBS News (2009). "Obama ends stem cell research ban." Accessed 12 December 2009. http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/03/09/politics/100days/domesticissues/main4853385.shtml

Hemingway, M. 92009). "In over his pay grade." Christianity today. Accessed 12 December 2009. http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2009/may/1.56.html?start=2

HHS.…...

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Work Cited

Begley, S. (2001). "Celluar Divide." Newsweek, July.

CBS News (2009). "Obama ends stem cell research ban." Accessed 12 December 2009.  http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/03/09/politics/100days/domesticissues/main4853385.shtml 

Hemingway, M. 92009). "In over his pay grade." Christianity today. Accessed 12 December 2009.  http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2009/may/1.56.html?start=2 

HHS. (2009). "Stem cells." U.S. department of heath and human services. Accessed 12 December 2009. AD%3AL%3Ad1&output=xml_no_dtd&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&lr=lang_en&client=HHS&proxystylesheet=HHShttp://search.hhs.gov/search?q=stem+cells&btnG=Search&site=HHSgov&entqr=3&ud=1&sort=date%3

It is only a drop in the bucket of the currently available knowledge on neural differentiation, however. According to Human Embryonic Stem Cells: A Practical Handbook, there are seventeen acknowledge and reviewed methodologies for differentiating human embryonic stem cells into neural cells (Walsh, 2008). The incompleteness and erros of this same book, however, reflect the dearth of research into the area of human embryonic stem cell research (Walsh, 2008). Though many advances have been made -- and indeed are being made right now -- the ethical concerns regarding human embryonic stem cells have proven a greater obstacle than the scientific community can fully surmount. This is not to say that ethical considerations are the only reason for a lack of knowledge, either; science, when performed carefully, is usually a slow process, and the benefits and implications of human embryonic stem cell research are far too meaningful and profound to…...

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References

Barcena, a.; Kapidzic, M.; Muench, M.; Gormley, M.; Scott, M.; Weier, J.; Ferlatte, C. & Fisher, S. (2009). "The human placenta is a hematopoietic organ during the embryonic and fetal periods of development." Developmental biology, 327, pp. 24-33.

Barthelery, M.; Jaishankar, a.; Salli, U. & Vrana, K. (2009). "Reptin52 expression during in vitro neural differentiation of human embryonic stem cells." Neuroscience letters, 452, pp. 47-51.

Fenno, L.; Ptaszek, L. & Cowan, C. (2008). "Review: Human embryonic stem cells: emerging technologies and practical applications." Current opinion in genetics & development, 18, pp. 324-9.

Garg, a. (2008). "Review: Stem cell therapeutics: exploring newer alternatives to human embryonic stem cells." Internet journal of health, 8 (1).

Therapeutic Use of Embryonic Stem Cells in Humans
Moral issues relating to the therapeutic use of embrionic stem cells in humans

Moral issues relating to the therapeutic use of embryonic stem cells in humans

The inception of the idea of research of stem cells became plausible in several decades, in the past. Additionally, the research caused an ensuing countless debates to accompany the issue. In considering the research on the stem cell, several issues accompany the debate. These issues are either ethical, which are about the potential moral effects the stem cells may bring. The second issue is of the legal aspect, which consider the regulation of the stem cell technologies by the government and the policy makers in the helping the public (Ostnor, 2008). The last issues are social in nature, influencing and involving the society as a whole.

Human embryonic stem cells are the current subject of heavy and intensive discussion; not…...

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References

Monroe, K.R., Miller, R.B., & Tobis, J.S. (2007). Fundamentals of the stem cell debate: The scientific, religious, ethical, and political issues. Berkeley, Calif: University of California

Press.

Ostnor, L. (2008). Stem cells, human embryos and ethics: Interdisciplinary perspectives.

Dordrecht: Springer.

Embryonic Stem Cells to Cure Disease
Embryonic Stem Cell

Derivation of Human Embryonic Stem Cells

Generation of Cardiomyocytes from Human Embryonic Stem Cells

Purified Population of Cardiomyocytes

Use of Transgenes in Differentiated Cardiomyocytes

Use of Human Embryonic Stem Cells for Heart Conditions

Neurological Disorders and Use of Human Embryonic Stem Cells

Parkinson's Disease

Stroke

Huntington's disease

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Human Embryonic Stem Cells for the Generation of Functional Hepatic Cells

Ethical Considerations of Using Human Embryonic Stem Cells

Social Oppression

Value of the Embryo

Pluripotent stem cell cultures were isolated in 1981 by Evans and Kaufman from mouse blastocysts. It was found that these cells were capable of self-renewal having a long-term capacity to remain undifferentiated in certain provided culture conditions. Studies have highlighted the basic difference between stem cells and embryonic stem cells. Embryonic stem cells have the potential to differentiate into three germ layers. These cells have an additional capacity to proliferate in culture conditions in an undifferentiated state plus these cells usually…...

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References

Barberi, T., Willis, M.L., Socci, D.N., and Studer, L. (2006). Derivation of Multipotent Mesenchymal Precursors from Human Embryonic Stem Cells. PLoS Med 2(6): p. 0554-0560.

Bhattacharya, B., Miura, T., Brandenberger, R., Mejido, J., Luo, Y., Yang, X.A., Joshi, H.B., Ginis, I., Thies, S.R., Amit, M., Lyons, I., Condie, G.B., Itskovitz-Eldor, J., Rao, S.M.,and Puri, K.R. (2004). Gene expression in human embryonic stem cell lines: unique molecular signature. Blood 103: 2956-2964.

Cai, J., Zhao, Y., Liu, Y., Ye, F., Song, Z., Qin, H., Meng, S., Chen, Y., Zhou, R., Song, X., Guo, Y., Ding, M., and Deng, H. (2007). Directed Differentiation of Human Embryonic Stem Cells into Functional Hepatic Cells. Hepatology 45:1229-1239.

Gepstein, L. (2002). Derivation and Potential Applications of Human Embryonic Stem Cells. Circulation Research 91:866-876.

Provided with the right mixture of signals, embryonic stem cells can develop into mature cells that can function as neurons, muscles, bone, blood along with other needed types of cells. Stem cells that have this flexibility are portrayed as pluripotent, in order to indicate their high potential to differentiate into a wide variety of cell types. A second attribute of embryonic stem cells is that they have the ability to remain in an undifferentiated state and to divide forever. This ability to self-renew means that essentially an unlimited numbers of identical, well-defined, genetically and genomically characterized stem cells can be produced in culture dishes for medical use (Human Embryonic Stem Cells, n.d.).
President Obama has signed an executive order that overturned the policy that was put into place by Bush that limited federal tax dollars being used for embryonic stem cell research. This move has been hailed by advocates for…...

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References

Henry, Ed. (2009). Obama to reverse embryonic stem cell ban. Retrieved April 20, 2010, from CNN Politics Web site:

 http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/03/06/obama.stem.cell/index.html 

Human Embryonic Stem Cells. (n.d.). Retrieved April 20, 2010, from Sumanas, Inc.

Web site:  http://www.sumanasinc.com/scienceinfocus/sif_stemcells.html

CHIMEASChimerasContinued research on human embryonic stem cells leads to formation of more chimeras. The National Academy of Sciences has laid a common ground for ethical research on human embryonic stem cells. Wade (2015) defines chimeras as creatures composed of more than one kind of cell (par 1). In this essay, I will express my thoughts on why chimeras are weird to many and also why they may be of importance to humans.It is interesting that Mermaids, werewolves, sphinxes, and centaurs are viewed as half-human chimeras while the original chimaera was a monster. It is also interesting that these creatures possess powerful evil powers and that people who possess big heart valves are chimeric. I agree with the articles assertion to the effect that chimeras are weird creatures. This is more so the case owing to the fact that, as Wade (2005) points out, testing and developing new organs by biologists…...

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ReferencesWade, N. (2005). Chimeras on the horizon, but Don’t Expect Centaurs.   https://www.nytimes.com/2005/05/03/science/chimeras-on-the-horizon-but-dont-expect-centaurs.html 

Stem Cell Ethics
Debating the Ethics of Stem Cells

The term 'stem cells' can mean different things to different people. For some, it conjures images of medical miracles providing solutions for heart disease, diabetes, and dementia. For others, it terrifies with a future filled with cloned humans. Still others cringe at the thought of mass producing cultured human embryos for the sole purpose of providing organs and tissues for a paying public. As with most complex issues, news media coverage tends to exaggerate easily understood concepts at the expense of the overall truth and the public accordingly remains ignorant of the subtleties surrounding this debate. This seems to add fuel the emergence of polarized camps and a shrinking of a common middle ground. To better define this middle ground, this essay will discuss both sides of this debate and argue instead that the vast majority of people would likely support an intermediate…...

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Works Cited

Antiniou, Michael. "The Case Against & #8230;" Nature Medicine 7.4 (2001): 397-399. Web. The author argues that the use of embryonic stem cells for research and medicine poses significant ethical and moral issues that cannot be overcome. Of particular concern is the potential for reproductive cloning, a door that the author believes was opened when the UK government approved the use of embryonic stems cells for research and medicine.

Blow, Nathan. "In Search of Common Ground." Nature 451.7180 (2008): 855-858. Web. The author presents several issues facing researchers who work with stem cells and discusses why they are important to advancing this field of research. Of primary concern is developing standard protocols for producing stem cells and creating the necessary protocols and reagents that will allow the therapeutic use of stem cells in humans.

Leeb, C., Jurga, M., McGuckin, C., Forraz, N., Thallinger, C., Moriggl, R. et al. "New Perspectives in Stem Cell Research: Beyond Embryonic Stem Cells." Cell Proliferation 44.1 (2011): 9-14. Web. The focus of this article is the promises and limitations of embryonic, adult, and induced pluripotent stem cells, from the perspective of scientists working in this field. The ethical decisions concerning the use of embryonic stem cells are only mentioned in passing.

Power, Carl and Rasko, E.J. "Promises and Challenges of Stem Cell Research for Regenerative Medicine." Annals of Internal Medicine 155.10 (2011): 706-713. Web. The authors discuss in detail the three main types of stem cell technologies: embryonic, adult, and induced pluripotent. Ethical issues are mentioned occasionally, but not discussed.

Stem cells are a hot topic for the media today because our understanding of them has potential for incredible scientific advances in the field of biotechnology, yet we struggle because there are questions of morality raised by the methods by which they might be used. While in centuries past, it was commonly accepted within the scientific community to vivisect the mentally insane or criminally convicted for the purpose of scientific knowledge, today religious groups are concerned about the fate of single stem cells being used in experiments. Stem cells have paved the way to cloning and bioengineering of humans, allowing scientists to "bring... A sperm and ovum together to create an embryo, harvesting the cells, and then discarding the embryo." (Celia) The concern for many people is that working with embryonic stem cells especially may somehow he breaching the rights of people and taking science to a point where it…...

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Bibliography

Bell, H. (2000) "Case Study: The Uninsured" American Medical Student Association. <  http://www.amsa.org/tnp/uninsured.cfm >

Calafut, T. (2000) "Emerging Applications in Human Stem Cell Therapy." Chemical Market Reporter, March 20.

Stem Cell Differentiation
The need to restore the lives of the individuals calls for more of transplantation than that which is available. There are fewer organs, which can help in the transplantation process, which means that overdependence on the process makes it to be reliable. Further, the process may also end up endangering the life of the donator. Transplantation is the only available process that can for the individuals having kidney and lung problems. However, the numbers of individuals who are suffering from kidney and lung failure are always more than those who are ready to supply the needed organs. This calls for an alternative way, which can help in compensating the loss that the individuals face. One of the major alternatives for the process of translation is stem cell differentiation that may occur in any body cell. The stem cells differentiation offer the possibility of a renewable source of replacement…...

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Reference

Wang, J., Collins, J. et al., (2012). Functional analysis of transcription factor binding sites in human promoters. Genome Biology, doi:10.1186/gb-2012-13-9-r50

Guillot PV, Cui W, Fisk NM, Polak DJ. (2007). Stem cell differentiation and expansion for clinical applications of tissue engineering. J Cell Mol Med. 11:935-944.

Gerrard L, Rodgers L, Cui W. (2005). Differentiation of Human Embryonic Stem Cells to Neural

Lineages in Adherent Culture by Blocking Bone Morphogenetic Protein Signaling. Stem Cells 23: 1234-1241.

Study of human embryonic stem cell will lead to major advances in human biology, specifically:
Embryonic stem cell research will provide critical insights into mechanisms of cell differentiation, growth, and death (Young, 2006).

Understanding stem cells may provide keys to why people age (Young, 2006).

Scientists are interested in stem cells because they have the potential to become very practical in a way that any other kind of cell in the body might be used to replace tissues that have failed (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/3144925.stm,2003).

And lastly, scientists believed that if they become successful in finding cure for lymphoma, and leukemia with this study, there is a great possibility that they can also cure diseases such as Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, diabetes among others in the near future (http://www.stemcellnetwork.ca/engage/materials/presentation1.ppt,2006).

orks Cited

Mitalipova, Maisam et. al. Human Embryonic Stem Cell Lines Derived from Discarded Embryos 2003. AlphaMed Press. 7 October 2006. http://stemcells.alphamedpress.org/cgi/content/abstract/21/5/521

Young, ise. Morality of Stem Cells.. 7 October 2006. http://carecure.rutgers.edu/Lectures/Morality/StemCells_Notes.ppt

Embryonic…...

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Works Cited

Mitalipova, Maisam et. al. Human Embryonic Stem Cell Lines Derived from Discarded Embryos 2003. AlphaMed Press. 7 October 2006.  http://stemcells.alphamedpress.org/cgi/content/abstract/21/5/521 

Young, Wise. Morality of Stem Cells.. 7 October 2006.  http://carecure.rutgers.edu/Lectures/Morality/StemCells_Notes.ppt 

Embryonic Stem Cells; an Introduction to Science ethics and Legislation.. 7 October 2006.  http://www.stemcellnetwork.ca/engage/materials/presentation1.ppt 

Mining Stem Cells.. 7 October 2006. http://arts.usask.ca/policynut/courses/soc292-8.ppt