Stem Cell Research

An opinion paper in favor of continued stem cell research.

This paper explains the concept of stem cell research and explains in what situations this technology can be used. It also discusses the several advantages of this type of research, medically and scientifically. It reviews some of the opponents of stem cell research, but concludes that the potential benefits far outweigh the disadvantages.
“Many advances have come about in the last decade about prevention, diagnosis, and treatment for many diseases. Some of these diseases include heart disease, diabetes, and cancer, a nervous system disease like Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s disease. All of these diseases continue to deprive people of health, independence, and well being. Much research has been done about human development biology. This research has led to the discovery of human stem cells, embryonic stem cells, fetal stem cells, and adult stem cells. Although experiments have proven many breakthroughs in the conversion of a single undifferentiated cell into the different cells comprising the organs and tissues of the human body, much more research is needed. Taking cells from early human embryos and fetal stem cells from aborted, fetal tissue raise ethical, legal, religious and policy questions.”