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Embryonic Stem Cell Research: Ethical Issue Or Medical Miracle

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Embryonic Stem Cell Research: Ethical Issue Or Medical Miracle
Rebecca Harris
Mrs. Ruth
English 12 Honors
12 March 2013
Embryonic Stem Cell Research Embryonic Stem cell research is it an ethical issue or medical miracle? Embryonic stem cell research is a method of retrieving the inner cells from a fetus (Korenman). The main issues with embryonic stem cells are where they come from, the ethical issues, what they can do, and the treatments used with them. Because of the advances Embryonic Stem Cell Research has made in cancer, blood disorders, and other diseases it should be considered as a form of treatment. Embryonic Stem cells were first found in 1981 using mice and monkeys. In the year 1995 the first human embryo was used for research. In 1998 researchers successfully isolated the embryonic stem cell …show more content…
Embryos stored in a cryobank become available to research with the consent of the parents. The best working embryos are incubated long enough to become blastocysts (Korenman). Embryos can also be grown in a lab. They are generated by transferring from the pre-implantation to the culture dish. They the spread and divide across the dish becoming pluripontent where it can then change into any type of cell tissue (“What are …”). There are two test used in determining the presence of embryonic stem cells. The first test is a Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer; it is used when the embryo has 100 cells. It is then stimulated by shock and starts to divide where the blastocyst is destroyed within five to seven days. The second test is a Blastomeric Extraction produced by Doctor Robert Lanza. The blastomere removes the cell from the inner mass of the embryo and does not harm the embryo (“Harvesting …show more content…
The embryonic stem cells have the potential to treat people with diabetes type one, Parkinson’s, and post- micro cardio infraction heart disorders and other injuries (Korenman). Embryonic stem cell research should be considered a form of treatment.

WORKS CITED
“Harvesting Embryonic Stem Cells.” Cord-blood-sells.com. Cord Blood Cells. n.d. Web. 15
February 2013.
Korenman, Stanley G. M.D. “Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research.” hhs.gov. Office of
Research Integrity. 2006. Web. 13 February 2013.
Meyer, Allison. “Why We Need Embryonic Stem Cell Research.” policymic.com. PolicyMic, 2012. Web. 14 February 2013.
Neale, Todd. “Pediatricians OK Embryonic Stem Cell Research.” Medpagetoday.com. 30
October 2012. Web. 13 February 2013.
“Recent Advances in Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research.” Stemcellaction.org. STEM CELL
ACTION. 2010. Web. 15 February 2013.
Tesar, Jenny. Science on the Edge: STEM CELLS. San Diego: Thomson and Gale, 2003. Print.
“What are Embryonic Stem Cells?” nih.gov. National Institution of Health, 13 September 2010.
Web. 13 February
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