Embryonic vs Adult Stem Cell Research
Embryonic VS Adult Stem Cell Research Stem cell research just by saying its name creates an uneasy feeling because it is such a controversial topic. There are many ethical and moral issues that make people uneasy because they can’t decided whether they should side with the more ethical side of this research, adult stem cell, or the more well known, embryonic stem cell. This ethical issue between the two research categories gives rise to another issue that isn’t usually discussed. This issue is the difference between embryonic and adult stem cell research and what that difference can mean for people that have come to rely on stem cells to cure their diseases. Embryonic stem cell research is the one most people hear about and the one that most research money has gone to. Adult stem cell research is the one behind the scenes, however; the one that has actually had success. There is a grave difference between embryonic stem cell research (ESCR) and adult stem cell research (ASCR), and that is where these stem cells come from and at what cost to the donor, sometimes this difference can even mean the life of a child once and a while due to abortion. Another grave difference is that ESCR has no logged cures or even success where ASCR has had both. This paper will show in detail those differences between ESCR and ASCR and what they mean for the world and the life a child whose cells are being used without even making an effect. Before talking about the downsides of ESCR there are some important things that need to be pointed out. ESCR was where stem cell research first started.
“Stem cells have the remarkable potential to develop into many different cell types in the body. Serving as a sort of repair system for the body, they can theoretically divide without limit to replenish other cells as long as the person or animal is still alive. When a stem cell divides, each new cell has the potential to either remain a stem cell or become another type of cell with a
Cited: Bryner, Jeanna. “What is a Stem Cell?” Life’s Little Mysteries. 22 March 2010.
Children 's Hospital of Pittsburgh. "Breakthrough Study Finds Adult Stem Cells." Science Daily 25 June 2005. 6 April 2010
Ertelt, Steven. “Adult Stem Cell Research Reverses Effects of Parkinson’s Disease in Human Trail.” Lifenews.com. 16 February 2009.
Fumento, Michael. “The Dirty Secret of Embryonic Stem Cell Research.” Forbes.com. 15 July 2009.
Hughes, Bradley Richard. “Real-World Successes of Adult Stem Cell Treatment”. Cogforlife.org. 1 December 2004.
Mattes, Bradley. “Embryonic Versus Adult Stem Cells? It’s Really No Contest.” Life Issues Institute. 2010.
Messinger, Robert. “Pros and cons of embryonic stem cell research: arguments in favor vs. arguments against.” Islets of hope. 07 May 2006.
Palca, Joe. “Q&A: Embryonic Stem Cells: Exploding the Myths”.Npr.org. 30 March 2007
Smith, Wesley J. “Embryonic stem cells are not all that”. National Review. 13 May 2004.
“Stem Cell Research and Abortion: Opposition to abortion and opposition to embryonic stem cell research go hand in hand.” Abort73.com. 03 September 2009