Stem Cell Research Argumentative Essay

In the last century, stem cell research has come a long way. Stem cells are critical because they are the original cells of the human body. All other cells come from the stem cells after they differentiate. Since their discovery, researchers have discovered different types of stem cells. The most controversial of these being embryonic stem cells. These cells are created from the embryo when it grows into a cluster of about 100 cells and are harvested from their nuclei. The debate behind embryonic stem cells has caused society to choose between its responsibility to prevent or alleviate suffering and its responsibility to respect the value of human life. The use of embryonic stem cells is unethical because there are currently several alternatives that have a similar effect for the patient.
Embryonic Stem Cells are grown from cells found in the embryo when it is just a few days old. At this point the embryo can either continue to grow as a human in its earliest form of
Beginning with mature adult cells, researchers let them multiply. After stressing the cells almost to the point of death by exposing them to stresses including trauma, a low oxygen environment, and an acidic environment, researchers discovered that within a period of only a few days, the cells survived and recovered from the stressful stimulus by naturally reverting into a state that is equivalent to an embryonic stem cell. The stem cells created by exposure to the external stimuli were then able to redifferentiate and mature into any type of cell and grow into any type of tissue, depending on the environment into which they were placed