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Should Stem Cell Research be Continued? The Pros and Cons of Stem Cell Research. Pro: Brendan Meehan and Joyce Lee Con: Kelly Donaldson and Tyler Mitchell . In the Beginning… . All life starts with one cell Cell develops into other 200 human cells
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Should Stem Cell Research be Continued?The Pros and Cons of Stem Cell Research Pro: Brendan Meehan and Joyce Lee Con: Kelly Donaldson and Tyler Mitchell
In the Beginning… • All life starts with one cell • Cell develops into other 200 human cells • First of these cells called stem cells • Ability to change world, but at cost of potential human life • Should stem cell research be continued?
Background • Stem cells can divide limitlessly into all types of human cells • After division, cell can either remain a stem cell or become a specific cell with a particular function • Scientists hope to use stem cells to research the process of cellular division • Many sever medical conditions are result of problems with division • Stem cell research began with development of process to isolate and grow stem cells, first discovered by Dr. James Thompson at the University of Wisconsin • Much debate over continuation of stem cell research
Pros of Stem Cell Research • Cures debilitating diseases • Have ability to grow into any type of tissue • Stem cells are hoped to grow new brain cells, veins, bones, entire organs • Can cure Parkinson’s, diabetes, cancer, etc. • Can be customized with DNA of patient to reduce chance of rejection • Can grow into heart cells • Can clump together and beat as one • When injected into pigs/mice, new cells replace the dead ones • Greatly reduce U.S. deaths
Pros of Stem Cell Research (cont.) • Grow tissue to test drugs • Can grow tissue to test drugs on instead of human subjects • Cloned embryo’s from patients with genetic diseases could be used for research • Other nations moving ahead in stem cell research • U.K. had first cell bank ever • U.K. and Asian economies have poured money into funding for research • Singapore built large laboratory buildings in 2001 to jump start research
Cons of Stem Cell Research • Destroys human embryos • Early embryos are human beings • Many claim embryos aren't human beings • Government has banned stem cell research • Killing of embryos has been banned by U.S. government • Forced scientists to use alternatives, like amniotic fluid cells • Alternatives are useless • Dr. George Daley states that “The discovery shouldn’t be used as a replacement for human embryonic stem cell research • Amniotic cells can’t be used on humans • Waste of time and money
Cons of Stem Cell Research (cont.) • Dangerous animal testing • Scientists test discoveries on animals • Most are human eggs and sperm, which can be harmful if animals mated • Animals could develop human brains, creating terrible results if animals mated • Kelly Olson says animal testing is inaccurate and ineffective • Animal testing totally pointless and worthless, waste of money and lives
Stem Cell Research-Is it Really Worthless? • Destruction of embryos may lead to disease cures, worth the sacrifice • Embryo destruction serves purpose • Embryos aren’t really human • 5 day old embryo invisible to human eye • No identifying features of nervous system • Can not survive outside of womb • Lack sentience
Stem Cell Research-Is it Really Worthless? (cont.) • New guidelines for research will persuade government to support research • Doesn’t waste money • Other nations putting money into research • Provides cures for other diseases • Alternatives aren’t as effective • Work well for other things
Stem Cell Research-Is it Really Worthless? (cont.) • Scientists guide lining ethics for stem cell research • The Academy suggests setting local and national committees • Committees will set rules for stem cell research • Academy also suggests setting limits on animal testing • Chimeric animals should not be allowed to mate • Human stem cells should not be injected into non-human primates • Should not be grown for more than 14 days • Human nervous system recognizable after 14 days • Animal testing safer if guidelines applied • Animal stem cell research ensures safety of stem cell use on humans
Why Should it be Continued? • Further world of medicine and science • Providing new cures for diseases • Providing way to test new drugs without human subjects • Other nations moving forward • U.S. needs to stay in the game to hold up as world power
Why Shouldn’t it be Continued • Stem cell research is unethical and unpractical • Destroys potential human life • Government banned use of stem cell research • Risky animal testing involved
To Be Quite Honest With You… • We all support stem cell research • Many benefits from stem cell research • Misuse could be disastrous • Care of scientists a necessity