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Embryonic Stem Cell Research: More Beneficial Than Detrimental

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Embryonic Stem Cell Research: More Beneficial Than Detrimental
Embryonic Stem Cell Research: More Beneficial Than Detrimental
Kurl E. Jamora
ENGLRES-N02
Term 3 AY 2011-12
De La Salle University-Manila

Thesis Statement: This paper aims to show that the advancements that embryonic stem cell research can deliver outweigh its drawbacks.
Outline:
1.0 Potentials of stem cell research 2.0 Nature of stem cell research 3.1 Embryonic stem cells 3.2.1 Derivation of embryonic stem cells 3.2.2 Characteristics of embryonic stem cells 3.2 Adult stem cells 3.3.3 Derivation of adult stem cells 3.3.4 Characteristics of adult stem cells 3.0 Drawbacks of embryonic stem cell research 4.3 Ethics controversies 4.4.5 Moral status of an embryo 4.4.6 Utilization of embryonic stem cells 4.4 Immune rejections 4.5.7 Immune system responses 4.5.8 Immunosuppression 4.5 Legality issues 4.6.9 In the United Kingdom 4.6.10 In the United States 4.0 Benefits of embryonic stem cell research 5.6 On disease treatment 5.7.11 Diabetes 5.7.12 Neurological disorder 5.7.13 Heart disease 5.7 On dermal injury treatment 5.8.14 Burns 5.8.15 Skin ulcers 5.8 On orthopedic injury treatment 5.9.16 Bone damage 5.9.17 Cartilage damage
5.0 Recommendations for future researchers

Embryonic Stem Cell Research: More Beneficial Than Detrimental Along with the maturation of the cells in the body is the loss of cellular plasticity, a feature that accounts for the development of tissues and regeneration of cells (Maclean, 1977). In a case of a person suffering from a heart attack, the heart cells, exhibiting a lesser degree of plasticity, are unable to regenerate and repair the damage. This may lead to the heart not contracting properly and may result to death. To counteract this loss of plasticity, scientists have ventured on the use of stem cells.
Stem cells have a



References: Bonner-Weir, S., & Weir, G. (2009). Insulin-producing cells derived from stem cells: A potential treatment for diabetes. In R. Lanza (Ed.), Essentials of stem cell biology (2nd ed., pp. 513-522). San Diego, CA: Academic Press. Boo, J., Yamada, Y., Okazaki, Y., Hibino, Y., Okada, K., Hata, K., Yoshikawa, T., Suguira, Y., & Ueda, M. (2002). Tissue-engineered bone using mesenchymal stem cells and a biodegradable scaffold. Journal of Craniofaial Surgery, 13, 231-239. Doerflinger, R. (1999). The ethics of funding embryonic stem cell research: A Catholic viewpoint. Kennedy Institute of Ethics Journal, 1, 1-15. Gardner, R. (2009). Pluripotential stem cells from vertebrate embryos: Present persoective and future challenges. In R. Lanza (Ed.), Essentials of stem cell biology (2nd ed., pp. 3-12). San Diego, CA: Academic Press. Gonzales, R., Pyo Lee, J., & Synder, E. (2009). Neural stem cells for central nervous system repair. In R. Lanza (Ed.), Essentials of stem cell biology (2nd ed., pp. 485-496). San Diego, CA: Academic Press. Green R., (2009). Ethical considerations. In R. Lanza (Ed.), Essentials of stem cell biology (2nd ed., pp. 601-608). San Diego, CA: Academic Press. Huang, J., & Goldberg, V. (2009). Orthopedic applications of stem cells. In R. Lanza (Ed.), Essentials of stem cell biology (2nd ed., pp. 561-570). San Diego, CA: Academic Press. Maclean, N. (1977). The differentiation of cells. London: Arnold. Melton D., & Cowen C. (2009). “Stemness”: Definitions, criteria, and standards. In R. Lanza (Ed.), Essentials of stem cell biology (2nd ed., pp. xxiii-xxix). San Diego, CA: Academic Press. Outka, G. (2003). The ethics of human stem cell research. In B. Waters & R. Turner (Eds.), God and the embryo: Religious voices on stem cells and cloning (pp. 29-59). Washington, DC: Georgetown University Press. Oshima, H., Rochat, A., Kedzia, C., Kobayashi, K., & Barrandon, Y. (2001). Morphogenesis and renewal of hair follicles from adult multipotent stem cells. Cell, 104, 233-245. Palsson, B., & Bhatia, S. (2004). Tissue engineering. Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Pearson. Panno, J. (2005). Stem cell research: Medical applications and ethical controversy. New York: Facts On File. Robertson, J. (1999). Ethics and policy in embryonic stem cell research. Kennedy Institute of Ethics Journal, 9, 117-18. Rubart, M., & Field, L. (2009). Use of embryonic stem cells to treat heart disease. In R. Lanza (Ed.), Essentials of stem cell biology (2nd ed., pp. 507-512). San Diego, CA: Academic Press. Takahashi K., & Yamanaka, S. (2006). Induction of pluripotent stem cells from mouse embryonic and adult fibroblast cultures by defined factors. Cell. 126, 663-676. Upjohn, E., Varigos, G., & Kaur, P. (2009). Burns and skin ulcers. In R. Lanza (Ed.), Essentials of stem cell biology (2nd ed., pp. 523-528). San Diego, CA: Academic Press. Wakitani S., Goto T., & Pineda S. (1994). Mesenchymal cell-based repair of large, full-thickness defects of articular cartilage. J Bone Joint Surg Am, 76, 579–592. March 4, 2012 Jesster B Date of Interview: March 12, 2012 Place: J110, De La Salle University-Manila

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