Stem Cell Research Discussion

Paper Summary:

In this article, the writer explores the topic of stem cell research by looking at what stem cells really are. The writer then looks at the types of stem cells and their possible benefits. Further, the writer discusses the ethical debate surrounding the issue. The writer also discusses why stem cell research is important to our society and the future of science. The writer concludes that it must be remembered that stem cell research still has a long way to go before it can realize its potential for transforming the future of science and the human society.

Outline:
Background
What are Stem Cells?
Embryonic Stem Cells
Adult Stem Cells
The Potential Benefits of Stem Cells
Basic Information About Cells
Cell-Based Therapies
Drug Testing
The Ethical Debate
Is Embryo a Person?
Reproductive Cloning
Human-Animal Chimeras
Why Stem Cell Research is Important to the Society and the future of Science

From the Paper:

"As we have seen in this paper so far, stem cell research can have far-reaching effects on the future of Science and the human society because of its potential to develop new disease models, alter the current drug development philosophy, and introduce new applications in transplantation medicine. However, there is consensus among scientists that considerable research is needed before the dream can become a reality and the scope of research can only be made possible through large-scale government (read US federal government) funding.
In 2001, President Bush introduced legislation that restricts the use of federal funds for human embryonic stem cell research to the cell lines that were available as on August 9, 2001. Since such cell lines are limited, this restriction has severely handicapped the pace and scope of stem cell research. In this scenario, the work of two pioneering scientists - James Thomson and Shinya Yamanaka - has assumed crucial importance."

Sample of Sources Used:

• "About Stem Cells." Institute for Stem Cells. January, 2006. March 27, 2008. <http://www.iscr.ed.ac.uk/outreach/about-stem-cells-Jan06.htm
• "Ethics, Moral Values, and U.S. Law." Stem Cells at the National Academies. 2008. March 27, 2008. <http://dels.nas.edu/bls/stemcells/ethics.shtml>
• Thomson, James A., et al. "Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Lines Derived from Human Somatic Cells." Science Express. Vol. 318. no. 5858, pp. 1917 - 1920: November 20, 2007.
• Yamanaka, Shinya, et al. "Induction of Pluripotent Stem Cells from Adult Human Fibroblasts by Defined Factors." Cell. 131: 1-12.. November 30, 2007. March 27, 2008. <http://images.cell.com/images/Edimages/Cell/IEPs/3661.pdf>
• "What are the potential uses of human stem cells?" National Institute of Health: Stem cell information. February 20, 2008. March 27, 2008. <http://stemcells.nih.gov/info/basics/basics6.asp>

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