Stem Cell Research Persuasive Speech

Every day people are diagnosed with a new medical condition such as multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injuries, cardiac disease, burn injuries and so much more. Scientists are always searching for new technologies to help cure a vast array of debilitating medical conditions. Thanks to stem cell research scientist are able to test new medications, learn how to repair or generate tissues or organs, understand disease processes and create many promising therapies. There is endless potential for scientists to learn about human growth and cell development from studying stem cells. However, there is a big controversy whether or not stem cell research is ethical, which continues to be an obstacle in advancing research. I believe that looking at the
research from a scientific point of view, that there are so many benefits that will help us advance in medicine, that this research is ethical. Specifically, there are two different types of stem cells: adult stem cells and embryonic stem cells. Adult stem cells are stem cells in a specific tissue and they can only maintain and repair the tissue in which they are found. Adult stem cells aren’t able to form into cell types outside their specific tissue. Currently, blood stem cells are the only type of adult stem cells used regularly for treatment. They are used in the bone marrow transplant procedures. On the other hand, embryonic stem cells are pluripotent. This means they have the ability to form into any type of cell or tissue in the body. Scientists are able to control the differentiation of embryonic stem cells. They change the chemical composition of the culture medium, alter the surface of the culture dish, or modify the cells by inserting specific genes. By doing this, scientists are able to direct the embryonic stem cells to form into the specific cell type they are wanting “Stem Cell Information”. These types of stem cells are obtained from the early stage embryo. This is a big concern for people who believe that the destruction of a fertilized embryo is morally wrong. Except, scientists are now able to create induced pluripotent stem cells by reprogramming adult stem cells to become like embryonic stem cells. They are able to culture adult cells in the laboratory in the presence of genes which are functional in the early embryo. The adult genes are switched off and the cells embryonic genes become switched on. Medical ethics is trying to do the right thing while achieving the best possible outcome for every patient.
There are basic principles that address the issue of fairness, honesty, and respect for fellow human beings. Because of some cultural values and religious beliefs, there is a big controversy whether this type of study is ethical or not. Due to a human embryo having to be destroyed in order to obtain an embryonic stem cell, some people believe this is a disregard for human life. I disagree with this statement because the stem cells are derived from eggs that have been fertilized in-vitro (within a fertility clinic) and then donated for research purposes with the informed consent of the donors. They are not derived from eggs fertilized in a woman’s body “Stem Cell Information”. These fertilized eggs created in a laboratory would be discarded if not put to use. Considering this proven fact, I feel that they should then be used for scientific research. In order for the embryo to form into a fetus, it must go through the implantation process. Which means, once the embryo reaches the blastocyst stage, approximately five to six days after fertilization, it hatches and begins the process of implantation in the uterus “Conception: How It Works”. Based off of the conception process I feel that the embryos are not yet humans since in order for the embryo to develop into a child it must be transferred into the woman’s uterus. However, some people strongly believe that human life begins at fertilization and that even small embryos are genetically unique individuals who should be treated with the same moral status as human beings “Stem Cells”. By using this type of technology it keeps from having to take tissue samples from humans for
study. Furthermore, by using stem cell research, scientists are able to study multiple disease processes and understand how they work. Some of the most serious medical conditions, such as cancer and birth defects, are due to abnormal cell division and differentiation. A complete understanding of the genetic and molecular controls of these processes may suggest new strategies for therapy and cures “Stem Cell Information”. A benefit from using pluripotent cells rather than adult stem cells is that it allows for drug testing on a wider range of cell types. Scientists need to be able to control the differentiation of stem cells into the specific cell type on which the drug will be tested in order to precisely test its effectiveness. Today the need for organ donations far outweighs the available supply. By using stem cells hopefully, we will be able to generate renewable source to treat multiple diseases. For example, it may become possible to generate healthy heart muscle cells in the laboratory and then transplant those cells into patients with chronic heart disease “Stem Cell Information”. Another example is to treat people with type one diabetes where their pancreas has been destroyed and they no longer produce insulin. New studies indicate it may be possible to direct the differentiation of human embryonic stem cells in cell culture to form insulin-producing cells that eventually could be used in transplantation therapy “Stem Cell Information”. In order to realize the capabilities there are for cell-based therapies, scientists must be able to manipulate stem cells so they possess the necessary characteristics for successful differentiation, transplantation, and engraftment. In conclusion, I believe stem cell research is an ethical study that provides so many medical benefits. Someday we may be able to have a cure for so many debilitating diseases that people suffer from every day. With the more we discover, hopefully, we can eventually only need to use induced pluripotent stem cells and we won’t have the need to destroy an embryo in order to obtain an embryonic stem cell.