Download Persuasive argument: stem cell research

Persuasive argument: stem cell research
Today I’ll be addressing the benefits of stem cell research and arguing for the acceptance of this
medical research.
Stem cells are reproductive cells that adopt the qualities of the tissue that it is surrounded by
thus becoming a part of the tissue itself. These cells can come from various parts of a body
however they are only categorized in two groups, adult stem cells and embryonic stem cells.
The research of stem cells has given rise to new achievements in the practice of medicine. As a
result new procedures and treatments have derived from this research. Stem cells can be used to
treat several disorders and illnesses through gene therapy. For example people who are
diagnosed with cancer or leukemia have to go through treatments in which they are exposed to
large amounts of radiation in order to kill the rapidly dividing cancer cells, however using this
treatment also kills the cells that are responsible for a healthy immune system. In this case
doctors would use stem cells to replace and help recover the cells killed from the exposure of
radiation. In another treatment stem cells are being used in clinical trials to help recover and
“restore” the cells of a heart after it has been through a heart attack.
Although stem cells are only in the “research stages” of medical use, researchers believe that
through the continued research of these cells they would eventually discover treatments that
would provide a great impact on practice of medicine and in people lives. It is speculated that
stem cells can be used to regenerate and cure damaged and infected brain cells. Disorders such
as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease would be treated by using brain stem cells to awaken the
dormant spinal cells that would then migrate to the brain and repair the damaged or infected
section of the brain. It is also speculated that the use of stem cells would be able to “cure”
paraplegia and quadriplegia due to the damage or severed spinal cord. Finally researchers
believe that continued research of stem cells would eventually reveal the cause of autism and
schizophrenia.
Despite the ethical and moral factors that bind the research of stem cells, I do believe that this
can be promising and beneficial aid to the medical field. With the acceptance of stem cell
research disorders such as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and even autism and schizophrenia
wouldn’t be major problems of this society. Even the most sever spinal injuries would mean that
a person is still able to live a normal life.