Embryonic Stem Cell Research Persuasive Speech
In 2009, President Barack Obama used an executive order to lift certain limitations on federal funding for embryonic stem cell research (“Embryos and Unintended Consequences”). In 1973, the United States legalized abortion with the landmark supreme court case Roe vs. Wade. According to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, stems cells are, “a renewable source of tissue that can be coaxed to become different cell types of the body.” Embryonic stem cells in particular are, “stem cells derived from embryos that develop from eggs that have been fertilized in vitro—in an in vitro fertilization clinic—and then donated for research purposes with informed consent of the donors” (Stem Cell Basics III). The conflict of what is considered “ethical” in regards to unborn human
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organisms is still a divisive issue for lawmakers, scientists, and the average American. Based on the research I’ve conducted as well as my own personal beliefs, I have concluded that benefits of embryonic stem cell research outweigh any drawbacks it may have because it can expand the scope of modern medicine, improve our economy, and promote compassion for those in need. Embryonic stem cells have the potential to cure a variety of ailments due to their ability to be utilized in a wider variety of situations than adult stem cells and their immortality while in vitro (Adult vs. Embryonic Stem Cells). Scientists have begun making huge steps towards finding cures for various diseases. For example, in January 2016, IFLScience revealed that researchers at the Massachusetts Institution of Technology have created “insulin-producing beta cells made from human stem cells” that “‘switch off’ diabetes in mice for up to six months” (New Stem Cell Treatment "Switches Off" Type 1 Diabetes). Type 1 Diabetes is an autoimmune disease where the body is unable to control its blood sugar levels because the immune system attacks the cells that produce insulin. Insulin balances blood sugar levels so those suffering from Type 1 diabetes usually inject insulin to make sure their blood sugar levels stay relatively equilibrium. The study involved modifying transparent beta cells (the cells that were produced from embryonic stems cells) so that they were undetectable by the diabetic mice’s self-destructive immune systems. The ultimate goal for the future would be to “transplant these cells into people suffering from type 1 diabetes, allowing them to produce their own insulin,” virtually curing them of the disease or, at the very least, inducing remission. Embryonic stem cells have also shown potential in treating blindness. As stated in EuroStemCell, researchers are currently exploring the possibility of creating limbal stem cells, stem cells located in the eye, to bypass the complex surgery needed to collect them for patients who need new ones due to their blindness. The same article stated that, using embryonic stem cells, scientists have generated new retinal pigment epithelial cells; the retinal pigment epithelium is “the pigmented cell layer just outside the neurosensory retina that nourishes retinal visual cells” which acts as a filter to help keep harmful substances away from the sensitive cells in the eye (“Retinal Pigment Epithelium”; “Retinal Detachment”). Scientists are also examining ways to apply embryonic stem cells to Alzheimer’s disease. The sixth leading cause of death, Alzheimer’s is a very difficult disease to manage because it destroys brain cells, causing the individual forget how to “swallow, cough, and breathe,” as well as fail to remember other important elements of survival (Ask Well: How do you die from Alzheimer’s”). The National Institute of Aging describes what happens to the brain of someone suffering from Alzheimer’s, stating that “Abnormal deposits of proteins form amyloid plaques and tau tangles throughout the brain, and once-healthy neurons stop functioning, lose connections with other neurons, and die” (“About Alzheimer's Disease: Alzheimer's Basics”).To combat this, researchers have been studying embryonic stem cells’ capability “to assist in rebuilding lost nerve fibers” and “repair the damage caused in the progressive stages of Alzheimer’s that results in the accumulation of permanent disability” (“Alzheimer's Stem Cell Therapy”). A breakthrough could mean slowing the progressiveness of the fatal disease or curing it completely. While these hypotheses have shown great promise, some argue that embryonic stem cells has yet to cure any diseases. The American Policy Roundtable, a website devoted to “restoring judeo-christian principles to american public policy,” makes the case that adult stem cells “have already cured thousands” and embryonic stem cells “do not belong in an adult body (where they are likely to form tumors, and to be rejected as foreign tissue by the recipient)” (“Arguments Against Embryonic Stem Cell Research”). According to Boston’s Children Hospital, the number one ranked children's hospital by U.S. News and World Report, “blood stem cells are the only type of adult stem cell used regularly for treatment; they have been used since the late 1960s in the procedure now commonly known as bone marrow transplant” (“How Are Adult Stem Cells Turned Into Treatments?”). The American Policy Roundtable insinuates that adult stem cells have cured numerous diseases, while in reality they’ve only been able to treat one, which is a low number relative to how long scientists have been using them and testing them. While embryonic stem cells have not cured any diseases at this moment, researchers have only recently been subsidized to study them in depthly. Furthermore, there has been no studies indicating embryonic stem cells will create tumors in the recipient’s body. Also, the information we’ve gathered through testing embryonic stem cells on a multitude of serious diseases shows immense progress, and most importantly, hope for the future. Embryonic cell research is not only important, but necessary, because it allows us to search for cures for some of the most rampant and severe diseases that plague our world today. There has been data indicating that embryonic stem cell research can stimulate economic growth. California’s Institute for Regenerative Medicine asserts that, “In addition to reduced health care costs, new therapies would allow those people to go back to work, or allow their caregivers to work again” and “Stem cell research is expected to be a boon to the biotech industry, bringing new companies to the state and creating high-paying jobs” (“California: The Leader in Stem Cell Research”). The same article states, “CIRM's 12 major facilities construction projects has generated 13,000 job-years of employment, bringing in over $100 million in new tax revenue.” Despite this, the Harvard Stem Cell Institute believes that “As in any early stage technology, the commercial life sciences sector cannot be expected to be a significant financial contributor when there is a need for developing fundamental scientific knowledge and training skilled scientists” (“The Impact of Federal Policy on Global Competition in Stem Cell Research”). Based on the data gathered from studies that have actually tested embryonic stem cell research’s impact on the economy, there has been significant reasons to believe that when embryonic stem cell research is a new and innovative profession that engenders jobs as well as lowering the cost of health care. Embryonic stem cell research is a great way to spur the economy and put people back to work. I believe we have a moral duty to protect those in need.
Most of the controversy surrounding embryonic stem cell research stems from the idea that the destruction of human embryos is equivalent to killing a human being. While I do believe human life is sacred and should be protected at all costs, I also believe that if there’s a way to cure millions of people of disease then we should assess how we should go about doing that. To me, curing grandpa’s lung disease using four to five day old blastocysts seems like a reasonable option in comparison to letting him die and rendering the embryos utterly useless as they’ll sit in a freezer or be eventually thrown away. Right to Life Michigan argues that scientists shouldn’t use embryonic stem cell research because 90% of couples choose to use their embryos for future pregnancies (If They Say… You Say…). In reality, the government requires complete disclosure to the couple and their consent before scientists can do anything with their embryos (National Institutes of Health Guidelines on Human Stem Cell Research). The benefit of helping sick and ailing people is exponentially greater than letting embryonic stem cells sit and collect
dust. Embryonic stem cell research has been a hot topic since its introduction to the political sphere not too long ago. While the concerns regarding its effectiveness, impact on the economy, and ethical background are all valid, I fully believe embryonic stem cell research provides the best option for our medicinal realm, our economy, and our citizens.
organisms is still a divisive issue for lawmakers, scientists, and the average American. Based on the research I’ve conducted as well as my own personal beliefs, I have concluded that benefits of embryonic stem cell research outweigh any drawbacks it may have because it can expand the scope of modern medicine, improve our economy, and promote compassion for those in need. Embryonic stem cells have the potential to cure a variety of ailments due to their ability to be utilized in a wider variety of situations than adult stem cells and their immortality while in vitro (Adult vs. Embryonic Stem Cells). Scientists have begun making huge steps towards finding cures for various diseases. For example, in January 2016, IFLScience revealed that researchers at the Massachusetts Institution of Technology have created “insulin-producing beta cells made from human stem cells” that “‘switch off’ diabetes in mice for up to six months” (New Stem Cell Treatment "Switches Off" Type 1 Diabetes). Type 1 Diabetes is an autoimmune disease where the body is unable to control its blood sugar levels because the immune system attacks the cells that produce insulin. Insulin balances blood sugar levels so those suffering from Type 1 diabetes usually inject insulin to make sure their blood sugar levels stay relatively equilibrium. The study involved modifying transparent beta cells (the cells that were produced from embryonic stems cells) so that they were undetectable by the diabetic mice’s self-destructive immune systems. The ultimate goal for the future would be to “transplant these cells into people suffering from type 1 diabetes, allowing them to produce their own insulin,” virtually curing them of the disease or, at the very least, inducing remission. Embryonic stem cells have also shown potential in treating blindness. As stated in EuroStemCell, researchers are currently exploring the possibility of creating limbal stem cells, stem cells located in the eye, to bypass the complex surgery needed to collect them for patients who need new ones due to their blindness. The same article stated that, using embryonic stem cells, scientists have generated new retinal pigment epithelial cells; the retinal pigment epithelium is “the pigmented cell layer just outside the neurosensory retina that nourishes retinal visual cells” which acts as a filter to help keep harmful substances away from the sensitive cells in the eye (“Retinal Pigment Epithelium”; “Retinal Detachment”). Scientists are also examining ways to apply embryonic stem cells to Alzheimer’s disease. The sixth leading cause of death, Alzheimer’s is a very difficult disease to manage because it destroys brain cells, causing the individual forget how to “swallow, cough, and breathe,” as well as fail to remember other important elements of survival (Ask Well: How do you die from Alzheimer’s”). The National Institute of Aging describes what happens to the brain of someone suffering from Alzheimer’s, stating that “Abnormal deposits of proteins form amyloid plaques and tau tangles throughout the brain, and once-healthy neurons stop functioning, lose connections with other neurons, and die” (“About Alzheimer's Disease: Alzheimer's Basics”).To combat this, researchers have been studying embryonic stem cells’ capability “to assist in rebuilding lost nerve fibers” and “repair the damage caused in the progressive stages of Alzheimer’s that results in the accumulation of permanent disability” (“Alzheimer's Stem Cell Therapy”). A breakthrough could mean slowing the progressiveness of the fatal disease or curing it completely. While these hypotheses have shown great promise, some argue that embryonic stem cells has yet to cure any diseases. The American Policy Roundtable, a website devoted to “restoring judeo-christian principles to american public policy,” makes the case that adult stem cells “have already cured thousands” and embryonic stem cells “do not belong in an adult body (where they are likely to form tumors, and to be rejected as foreign tissue by the recipient)” (“Arguments Against Embryonic Stem Cell Research”). According to Boston’s Children Hospital, the number one ranked children's hospital by U.S. News and World Report, “blood stem cells are the only type of adult stem cell used regularly for treatment; they have been used since the late 1960s in the procedure now commonly known as bone marrow transplant” (“How Are Adult Stem Cells Turned Into Treatments?”). The American Policy Roundtable insinuates that adult stem cells have cured numerous diseases, while in reality they’ve only been able to treat one, which is a low number relative to how long scientists have been using them and testing them. While embryonic stem cells have not cured any diseases at this moment, researchers have only recently been subsidized to study them in depthly. Furthermore, there has been no studies indicating embryonic stem cells will create tumors in the recipient’s body. Also, the information we’ve gathered through testing embryonic stem cells on a multitude of serious diseases shows immense progress, and most importantly, hope for the future. Embryonic cell research is not only important, but necessary, because it allows us to search for cures for some of the most rampant and severe diseases that plague our world today. There has been data indicating that embryonic stem cell research can stimulate economic growth. California’s Institute for Regenerative Medicine asserts that, “In addition to reduced health care costs, new therapies would allow those people to go back to work, or allow their caregivers to work again” and “Stem cell research is expected to be a boon to the biotech industry, bringing new companies to the state and creating high-paying jobs” (“California: The Leader in Stem Cell Research”). The same article states, “CIRM's 12 major facilities construction projects has generated 13,000 job-years of employment, bringing in over $100 million in new tax revenue.” Despite this, the Harvard Stem Cell Institute believes that “As in any early stage technology, the commercial life sciences sector cannot be expected to be a significant financial contributor when there is a need for developing fundamental scientific knowledge and training skilled scientists” (“The Impact of Federal Policy on Global Competition in Stem Cell Research”). Based on the data gathered from studies that have actually tested embryonic stem cell research’s impact on the economy, there has been significant reasons to believe that when embryonic stem cell research is a new and innovative profession that engenders jobs as well as lowering the cost of health care. Embryonic stem cell research is a great way to spur the economy and put people back to work. I believe we have a moral duty to protect those in need.
Most of the controversy surrounding embryonic stem cell research stems from the idea that the destruction of human embryos is equivalent to killing a human being. While I do believe human life is sacred and should be protected at all costs, I also believe that if there’s a way to cure millions of people of disease then we should assess how we should go about doing that. To me, curing grandpa’s lung disease using four to five day old blastocysts seems like a reasonable option in comparison to letting him die and rendering the embryos utterly useless as they’ll sit in a freezer or be eventually thrown away. Right to Life Michigan argues that scientists shouldn’t use embryonic stem cell research because 90% of couples choose to use their embryos for future pregnancies (If They Say… You Say…). In reality, the government requires complete disclosure to the couple and their consent before scientists can do anything with their embryos (National Institutes of Health Guidelines on Human Stem Cell Research). The benefit of helping sick and ailing people is exponentially greater than letting embryonic stem cells sit and collect
dust. Embryonic stem cell research has been a hot topic since its introduction to the political sphere not too long ago. While the concerns regarding its effectiveness, impact on the economy, and ethical background are all valid, I fully believe embryonic stem cell research provides the best option for our medicinal realm, our economy, and our citizens.