1. Introduction
a. Attention-getter:
b. Thesis: Today, I will persuade you to support stem cell research, because it holds the potential for great medical advancements.
c. Credibility: I studied a lot of biology. Plus, I feel passionate about this issue.
d. Relevance: In the future, our generation will be the one making medical breakthroughs and creating medical policy. Plus, we’ll all get old someday and possibly need medical treatments.
e. Background: Stems cells are immature cells found in embryos that can develop into any kind of specialized cells (nih.gov). They can form virtually any cell of the human body
i. Example: stem cells can be transformed into liver cells, kidney cells, or heart cells
f. Summary: I will tell you the main benefits of supporting stem cell research.
Transition: Now you know some basics about stem cell research, let’s look at one of the benefits.
2. We can learn how major diseases work and eventually find cures.
a. The transformation of stem cells into other cells can teach us about cells and how they develop.
b. “A better understanding of normal cell development will allow us to understand and perhaps correct the errors that cause these medical conditions” like cancer and birth defects. (2)
i. For example, on 4/26/10, NIH researchers found “bone generating stem cells in the spine” which can “yield insight into the formation of bone tumors” (3) ii. Another example: “Embryonic stem cells transform into specific brain cells” which “have clinical implications for Parkinson’s and other disorders” (4) iii. “Many diseases, such as Parkinson's disease and juvenile-onset diabetes mellitus, result from the death or dysfunction of just one or a few cell types. The replacement of those cells could offer lifelong treatment “ (7) iv. Examples of other diseases:
1. Alzheimer’s
2. Heart disease
3. Cancer
4. Diabetes
c. Isn’t this amazing? Stem cell research is the bridge to new discoveries and cures.