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1. Embryonic Stem Cells = Immortality? Medical benefits are almost unlimited
Cell replacement therapies
Design better medications
and produce organs, limbs
Human achievement
2. Thesis We should increase funding for and remove restrictions on embryonic stem cell research.
3. Experience Learned about stem cells and cell development through courses including
Genetics
Cell Biology
Neurobiology
and Developmental Biology
Pursuing career in medicine/medical research.
4. Do you have diabetes or a family history of cancer or heart disease? Do you have family or friends who are sick?
Do you engage in behavior that has long term negative consequences?
5. How would it work? Using stem cells one could replace dysfunctional or dead cells.
e.g. Heart attack
e.g. Diabetes
Drug development
Regrow organs, limbs
6. It could cure 25 million Americans w/ heart disease
21 million Americans w/ diabetes
10.8 million Americans w/ cancer
Countless other people suffering from more than 70 other diseases and injuries.
7. Current funding is insufficient ONLY $40 million
Californias attempt
If we had underfunded NASA
8. Restrictions on ES research In 2001 President Bush restricted ES research to 80 lines.
Only 20 of the lines are useful.
All lines may be contaminated.
This current research may fail
9. Consequences of Bushs restrictions Dr. Irv Weissman says that these restrictions have severely affected research.
Director of NIH Elias A. Zerhouni agreed that research is being hindered
According to Martin Rees, US laws have global implications
10. Embryonic stem cells show promise for cures SHORT TERM
Skin grafts
Blood producing factories
And drug testing
LONG TERM
Cures for numerous diseases
New organs
And new limbs
11. What will it take? National priority
In 1961 Kennedy issued a challenge
We have the money
275 million a day in Iraq
Where do you think the money should go?
The more we invest, the faster the benefits could be realized
12. Conclusion People are dying every day
If you had a terminal illness
Lobby your government representatives.
I challenge you to make a difference
Help make the promise of embryonic stem cell research a reality.
13. Questions?
14. Bibliography Nicholas Wade, New York Times Staff Writer, May 9, 2003.
Clinics hold more embryos than had been thought, (Viewed Feb. 20, 2008)
http://eebweb.arizona.edu/courses/ecol223/Clinics%20Hold%20More%20Embryos%20Than%20Had%20Been%20Thought%20-%20New%20York%20Times.pdf
Bill Frist, Senator, July 13, 2006. Time to lift federal restrictions on stem cell research, (Viewed Feb. 20, 2008)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2006/07/13/EDGOBIPUT61.DTL
Ed Bradley, CBS News Reporter. Feb. 26, 2006. Scientist hopes for stem cell success, (Viewed Feb 20, 2008)
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/02/23/60minutes/main1341635.shtml#
CDC, Oct. 26, 2005 Number of Americans with diabetes continues to increase, (Viewed Feb 20, 2008)
http://www.cdc.gov/od/oc/media/pressrel/fs051026.htm
CDC, December 31, 2007. Heart Disease, (Viewed Feb 20, 2008)
http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/heart.htm
American Cancer Society, Cancer Facts & Figures 2008, (Viewed Feb. 20, 2008) http://www.cancer.org/downloads/STT/2008CAFFfinalsecured.pdf
Cosmos Magazine, July 20, 2006. Scientists denounce Bush veto of stem-cell research bill, (Viewed Feb. 20, 2008)
http://www.cosmosmagazine.com/node/433
American Association for Cancer Research, March 20, 2007. NIH director breaks with Bush policy, wants limits eased on stem cell research, (Viewed Feb. 20, 2008)
http://www.aacr.org/home/public--media/public-policy--legislative-affairs/legislative-news.aspx?d=724
NIH, Feb 5, 2008. Estimates of funding for various research areas, (Viewed Feb. 20, 2008)
http://www.nih.gov/news/fundingresearchareas.htm