] Stem Cell Research Essay Example For Students

] Stem Cell Research Essay Author: Anonymous Email: Anonymous Stem Cell Research is a term that has yielded plenty of promising results over the past 10 years. Stem cells are tiny cells that contain the information needed to develop a minuscule embryo into a fully functioning living organism. These cells can be extracted from embryos in early stages of development and can be used to grow or regenerate a wide range of tissue. Although stem cell research is a relatively new science, many experts agree that much is to be gained. Stem cells seem to remind the body that is knows how to heal itself, (A) says William Haseltine, referring to the studies in which stem cells are injected into a patient in order to stimulate growth of lost or damaged tissue. Recent studies have shown great progress in treating a wide range of diseases. The process by which stem cells are used to regenerate tissue is quite complicated. If one were to try to regenerate skin, for example, they would first have to isolate the nucleus of a skin cell of a donor. Then the nucleus must be implanted into an egg and the egg must be allowed to develop. Then in the early stages of development the scientists can pluck out the embryonic stem cells that are genetically identical to that of the donor. They could then culture these cells to in effect grow skin. The fact that this skin is genetically identical to that of the donor would eliminate the risk of rejection and the need for immunosuppressive drugs that may lead to complications. So far, most of the research has been performed on lab mice. Researchers have successfully isolated stem cells that seem to play an important role in the repairing of heat disease. There have also been promising results in treating of diabetes. Stem cell research has not just been limited to the rodents there have been several human studies. For example a woman named Sylvia Elam had undergone several surgeries since her massive stroke in 1992. She had been wheelchair bound ever since that day and had lost most of her ability to speak. Her condition had been steadily deteriorating and her husband had seen enough of her suffering. They consented for Sylvia to become one of the first 12 humans to have neuron cells, created in a laboratory from stem cells, implanted into her brain. A quarter-sized hole was drilled into her head and a syringe containing six million neuronal cells was inserted into her cortex, which in turn injected these cells into her damaged brain. Her recovery was amazing; within two months she was out of her wheel chair and walking. The doctors reported that six of the 12 patients involved in the study were showing definite signs of improved brain activity. One would think that such promising results would cajole lawmakers to increase federal spending on stem cell research. Until recently, in the United States, this has not been the case. For scientists in the United States, working with stem cells extracted from embryos has been particularly rough. As recently as August of 2001, federal funding of research, which involved extracting stem cells from embryos was illegal. This was a follow up to a law imposed in 1987 that banned US Government funding for fetal research. This ban was eventually lifted in 1993 when the government realized the vast number of lives that could be saved from this significant research. It is a tragedy that this same cycle must be replayed for stem cell research because it sets the United States behind the rest of the world. Many US scientists have been forced to immigrate to Britain for example, where stem cell research laws are much less stringent. In the UK, scientists are allowed to work with embryos 14 days old and younger and still receive federal funding. This allows researchers to capture stem cells that are otherwise inaccessible. Although stem cells have yet to change modern day medicine as it is known today, that vision may soon become a reality. .u3b3ef616aa7a4f80bb561c4475b1a722 , .u3b3ef616aa7a4f80bb561c4475b1a722 .postImageUrl , .u3b3ef616aa7a4f80bb561c4475b1a722 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u3b3ef616aa7a4f80bb561c4475b1a722 , .u3b3ef616aa7a4f80bb561c4475b1a722:hover , .u3b3ef616aa7a4f80bb561c4475b1a722:visited , .u3b3ef616aa7a4f80bb561c4475b1a722:active { border:0!important; } .u3b3ef616aa7a4f80bb561c4475b1a722 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u3b3ef616aa7a4f80bb561c4475b1a722 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u3b3ef616aa7a4f80bb561c4475b1a722:active , .u3b3ef616aa7a4f80bb561c4475b1a722:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u3b3ef616aa7a4f80bb561c4475b1a722 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u3b3ef616aa7a4f80bb561c4475b1a722 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u3b3ef616aa7a4f80bb561c4475b1a722 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u3b3ef616aa7a4f80bb561c4475b1a722 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u3b3ef616aa7a4f80bb561c4475b1a722:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u3b3ef616aa7a4f80bb561c4475b1a722 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u3b3ef616aa7a4f80bb561c4475b1a722 .u3b3ef616aa7a4f80bb561c4475b1a722-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u3b3ef616aa7a4f80bb561c4475b1a722:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: A Rose For Emily Character Analysis EssayBibliography: .