Stem Cell Research

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that many people in America see stem cell research as a potentially life-saving technology but others suggest that the manipulation of the building blocks of life is immoral and perhaps even murderous. The author points out that, in the past, it was a commonly accepted scientific practice to experiment on asylum inmates and criminals; today, it is becoming difficult even to justify experimenting on animals. Therefore, because of this expansion of moral sentiment, many religious groups and other bioethicists tend to look with some suspicion of anything resembling human experimentation. The paper relates the evidence that stem cells might possibly provide miraculous cures is somewhat lacking because of the restrictions under which scientists must operate in the area of stem cell research.

From the Paper:

"In heated public debates, both sides may loose track of the fact that not all stem cells are harvested in the same way, and there may be some way to resolve this conflict without jeopardizing scientific research. Stem cells, which are fully unspecialized and proliferate, may be harvested from blastocysts, but they can also be harvested from the cord-tissue of newborns, and possible harvested in smaller numbers from blastocysts without destroying those embryos. "All stem cells-regardless of their source-have three general properties: they are capable of dividing and renewing themselves for long periods; they are unspecialized; and they can give rise to specialized cell types.""

More papers on Stem Cell Research:

• Term Paper # 107047 : "Embryonic Stem Cell Research"
• Argumentative Essay # 148240 : "Stem Cell Research: Ethics and Benefits"
• Persuasive Essay # 85139 : "Stem Cell Research"
• Essay # 71384 : "Alternatives to Embryonic Stem Cell Research "

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