Download Stem Cell Research

Stem Cell
Research
Pros of Embryonic Stems Cells
• they can grow into different types of cells
throughout the body
– organs, muscles, bones, nerves, etc
• The most versatile stem cell
– Others have limitations and can not grow
to work with certain parts of the body
Pros (continued)
• they can grow into different types of cells
throughout the body
– organs, muscles, bones, nerves, etc
• The most versatile stem cell
– Others have limitations and can not grow
to work with certain parts of the body
Adult Stem Cells
-Undifferentiated
❖ Found in almost all organs & tissues
❖ AKA somatic stem cells
-Cellular factories
❖ Produce blood, bone, brain tissue, et.
al.
Uses of Adult Stem Cells
-No risk of rejection
❖ Patient’s own DNA
-Genetic Reprogramming
❖ Turn cells into other kinds that patient needs
-Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSC)
❖ Adult stem cells become embryonic
-Have been used in transplants for 40+ yrs
Embryonic Stem Cells
-In Vitro
❖ Cell Cultured
❖ In Vitro fertilization
-Structures
-Characterization
-Undifferentiated Vs. Differentiated
Cons to Stem Cell Research
• Many people opposed to “playing God”, say that life and death was
not meant to be messed with.
• Takes away the value of human life, undervalues the life of a fertile
egg cell, even if it is early.
• Some people say that stem cell research could potentially lead to
human cloning, which could be used in harmful way, although hard
to prove with evidence.
• Ex: Nuclear Research
Cons to Stem Cell Research cont.
• Ethics of Embryonic Stem Cell Research outweigh the potential
benefits.
• Many people believe that we will be able to develop more practical
uses of stem cell research on adults instead of fetuses, therefore we
should wait for those methods.
• The scientific value is over exaggerated and has flaws.
Controversy
● When does life begin?
○ Murder vs. saving lives
● Similar issue to abortion
● Government funding
○ Federal monies are a primary source of funding
for stem cell research
○ Dickey-Wicker Amendment
○ Bush- cut all funding
○ Obama- restored and added funding