Preview

Stem Cell Argumentative Essay

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
595 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Stem Cell Argumentative Essay
Stem Cells: The Lethal Lifesaver
Stem Cells are the first cells that begin a human life, but some people have a problem with using them because of where they come from. So, the question is which is more important, the death of embryos or the saving of lives? Stem cells are the cells that can be whatever they need to, depending on what is needed. The Webster dictionary defines a stem cell as “An unspecialized cell that gives rise to differentiated cells.”. These cells have the potential to save thousands of lives and ease suffering but they are vexed because of how they are gained. To understand why there is such a controversy surrounding stem cells, we must first understand what a stem cell is and how they are obtained.

Stem cells are undifferentiated cells in the human body, this means that they lack a particular job, so
…show more content…
When harvesting adult stem cells a catheter is placed in a large vein in the donor’s arm, blood travels through the catheter from the body to a machine that carries out a process called apheresis, which separates and collects stem cells from the blood. Once the stem cells are removed from the blood, they are returned to the donor usually in a certain organ or bone. The harvesting process takes 3 to 4 hours, depending on the amount of stem cells collected, this process may be repeated daily for up to 5 days to collect enough stem cells for a transplant. Adult Stem cells would be a better option than embryonic stem cells because the person is not harmed unlike the embryo. However stem cell extraction and use is a very controversial topic because some people believe an embryo is not technically alive. These people think that the harvesting of stem cells is okay. Could they be right?

People that agree with stem cells research think that embryos are not really alive they are just a bunch of cells just like any other cell in your body, like your arm, leg, or

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    First, where do stem cells come from, and what properties do they exhibit that make them stem cells? Human embryonic stem cells come from an embryo that develops from an egg. These eggs were originally collected for reproductive purposes. The eggs are fertilized in vitro, and the embryo is donated for research. The donation only happens after the eggs are no longer needed. The donor is informed of the intended use, and consent has been given. These stem cells are found when the embryo is between three and five days old. The embryo, at this point in development, is called a blastocyst. It is the inner group of cells in the blastocyst that contains the stem cells. “Stem cells have three unique properties: they can divide and renew themselves for long periods; they are unspecialized; and they can give rise to specialized cell types ("What Are the Unique Properties of All Stem Cells?").”…

    • 272 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Stem Cells are unspecified cells that have the capability to renew themselves through cell division. They can be made to become tissue or organ specified cells; for example they can be turned into muscle cells, red blood cells, or even brain cells. There is much disagreement on the ethics of stem cell research, such as abortion, cloning, and the fear of progression to Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World.…

    • 1928 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    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…

    • 1431 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Embryonic stem cells can potentially cause tumors due to the rapid growth when injected into adults. Another big issue with the research of the embryonic stem cells is that in the far future, this could lead to the knowledge on human cloning. Seeing as embryonic stem cells come from the embryos, adult stem cells biggest advantage is that the body’s own stem cells can be used, effectively removing the problems of immune rejection or abnormalities. Many people who are religious would argue that harvesting the embryo is against belief. This is a main controversy because these people believe that the four-five day old embryo has a soul and is evidently murdered when harvested. They believe that the research on these cells violates the sanctuary of life. Their argument is that the embryo in the situation is a potential human being and see the fertilized egg as starting a…

    • 558 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Embryonic stem cell research is widely controversial in the scientific world. Issues on the ethics of Embryonic Stem (ES) cell research have created pandemonium in our society. The different views on this subject are well researched and supportive. The facts presented have the capability to support or possibly change the public's perspective. This case study is based on facts and concerns that much of the research done on embryonic stem cells is derived from human embryos. This case study will provide others with a more in depth view of both sides of this great debate.…

    • 1593 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Life is defined as the existence of an individual human being or animal. There is a plethora of controversy about when life truly starts. Does it start right when the sperm meets the egg? Does it start when the fetus develops enough to feel? Most have their own opinion on this topic, but if “killing” an embryo can save lives it might be worth it. General stem cell research has been going on for many years, but due to cut funding, advancements have been inhibited. It was cut because embryonic stem cells research is considered unethical, but embryonic stem cells open a whole new realm of possibilities. The debate of using these stem cells has been argued for a long period of time. Certain stem cell research may be considered unethical, but the…

    • 2096 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The CBHD in the same article asserts that “...some evidence suggests that stem cells cultured in the laboratory may have a tendency to recongregate and form an aggregate of cells capable of begining to develop as an embryo...If embryonic stem cells do indeed possess the ability to form or develop as a human embryo, research on such stem cells could itself involve the creation and/or destruction of human life...”(100). Thus, despite of these evidences, condoning human embryonic stem cell research would be irresponsibility. Besides, in order to determine significance of stem cell research, Goldstein asserts in his article “Providing Hope Through Stem Cell Research” that “...the grim arithmetic of most organ transplants is that those who are seriously ill wait for the tragic accidental death of another person so that they may live.”(82). From this point, stem cell is an incredible discovery yet it is unethical. However, in order not to use human embryos to harvest stem cells, the CBHD submits alternative methods and adds that “ ... a promising source of more mature stem cells for the treatment of disease is hematopoietic (blood cell- producing) stem cells from bone marrow or even from the placenta or umbilical cord blood in live births.”(100). Moreover, the CBHD also argues that “These cells are already widely…

    • 1187 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Ethics of Stem Cell Research

    • 2751 Words
    • 12 Pages

    The first task of dissecting this debate is to differentiate between the two types of stem cell research. The first is adult (also called somatic or germ-line) stem cell research and is generally accepted and endorsed by all groups. Taken from human bone marrow or other deep tissues, this type of research has already been used for years in the treatment of many diseases, most notably Leukemia. Even the Catholic Church supports adult stem cell research, going so far as to partner with certain groups to further adult stem cell research funding. The disagreement lies in embryonic stem cell research. In embryonic stem cell research, a human embryo is created and then destroyed in order to obtain the intended stem cells. The circumstances which make the embryonic cells more desirable are two-fold. First, technology for embryonic stem cell research is currently farther along than somatic cell research; and therefore, it is cheaper. The more important distinction is in the quality of the cells collected. Adult…

    • 2751 Words
    • 12 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Embryonic stem cells are stem cells that come from inner mass cells of a human embryo that are undifferentiated. They are a new and innovative way to help people of society, and with all innovative ideas comes controversy. Some people believe that embryonic stem cells should not be researched or toyed with, while others are all for it. Embryonic stem cell research is a positive thing that can enhance the world in several ways. It can boost the economy, save the lives of many people, and not offend any religions or people with religious beliefs at the same time.…

    • 592 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    In my point of view I am strongly against using embryonic stem cells for research because it…

    • 610 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Adult stem cells have been located in bone marrow, peripheral blood, bone marrow, many organs and tissue, skeletal muscle, testis, and ovarian epithelium. They divide and create new cells naturally, but only after the tissue is destroyed by an injury. These stems cells can be taken from fat, bone marrow, or blood, with little to no effect on the person. Since the cells can be taken from the tissue they originally came from, they do not destroy the embryo in the process; which results in no ethical issues. This has been proven to be effective, and there is a vast supply. As for disadvantages, adult stem cells are more difficult to identify, let alone retrieve.…

    • 381 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Stem Cell - Persuasive

    • 1857 Words
    • 8 Pages

    What exactly is stem cell research about? Did you know that stem cell research has been around for over 30 years now? According to “Stem Cells for Dummies” the book, stem cells are primitive or unspecialized cells that can help in tissue repair and rejuvenation. When they divide, stem cells have the potential to become any type of cell needed, such as brain, blood or muscle cells, this is what makes them different from other types of cells. There are a couple of different stem cells however, adult stem cells and embryonic. Different kinds of stem cells have different abilities and limitations. Adult stem cells can reproduce themselves and create specific types of cells, but how flexible they are still remains a question. Embryonic stem cells appear to be the most flexible, able to grow indefinitely in the lab and give rise to all the cell types in the adult body.…

    • 1857 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Stem Cell Debate

    • 4026 Words
    • 17 Pages

    Few recent scientific issues have stimulated so much media attention, public debate and government involvement as that of stem cell research. Stem cells offer people hope by promising to greatly extend the number and range of patients who could benefit from transplants, and to provide novel therapies to treat debilitating diseases such as diabetes, Parkinson's, Huntington's, heart disease and stroke, as well as accidental damage such as spinal cord injury. So why would anyone object to research in this area? The problem is simply that a particular type of stem cell, which potentially could provide many cell types for a wide range of therapeutic uses, is obtained from the very early embryo. To make matters even more contentious, the same cloning technology that gave Dolly the sheep could in theory be used to tailor stem cells to the patient. Some people worry that we are taking research too far down paths that make them feel uncomfortable, others think it is downright immoral and against their deep-held, often religious, beliefs. But what are the scientific issues and why do many of us feel equally passionate that the research should be allowed?…

    • 4026 Words
    • 17 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Science has continuously provided the pathway towards innovative solutions to solve the issues of the 21st century; however, in order to attain such solutions the question of what is morally acceptable or wrong comes into play. Embryonic stem cell research has faced the negative spotlight for many years. The false misconceptions surrounding stem cells is clouded by the idea that they are acquired through intentionally killing a life of a potential human being. These false statements facilitated by anti-abortion organizations has slowed down the progress that could have been achieved through science on a logical and ethnically driven basis. Embryonic stem cells should be used for medical research because they harness the potential to improve…

    • 1217 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Stem Cell Research

    • 769 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Stem cells are primitive cells found in embryos, fetuses, and recently adults that can grow into 210 types of cells in the body. James A. Thomson, an embryologist at the University of Wisconsin, and John D. Gearhart of the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine announced on Thursday, November 8 1998 that they and their colleagues had isolated the cell. Scientists have tried for years to find stem cells because of their great medical value. Diseases such as Diabetes, Bone Marrow Cancer, Chronic Heart disease, Parkinson's, and Alzheimer's disease are just a few that could all be cured with the use of stem cells.…

    • 769 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays