22 February 2009
The Stem Cell Debate
Photo is a human embryonic stem cell growing on a layer of supporting cells called fibroblasts.
Congress has tried to pass a bill on stem cell research called the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act. They tried to pass the bill twice, each time President Bush vetoed the bill.
A stem cell is a cell from the umbilical cord that can regenerate though mitosis.The cells have the ability to become any type of specialized cell. Stem cells have varying differentiation potential, referred to as potency. Totipotent stem cells arise from the fusion of egg and sperm cell and are remarkable because they can differentiate into any cell type.
Doctors believe that the stem cells have the ability to treat cancer, Parkinson's disease, and spinal cord diseases. They are also using adult stem cells to treat leukemia, and help in bone marrow transplants.
Stem cells reproduce by mitosis by are unique in that they can differentiate and form 220 different types of specialized cells. They begin to form after an egg is fertilized. Embryonic stem cells may lead to a cure for many diseases including cancer, Alzheimer’s, strokes and diabetes. Unfortunately some procedures in getting these cells involves killing an embryo.
Some people believe that this is killing a human being but others believe the embryo has no feelings sensory organs or sense of its surroundings and has no resemblance to a human being. This is the cause of an ongoing debate.
However there is a such thing as an adult stem cell which can be donated to science without the killing of anything. Unfortunately these stem cells are different then embryonic stem cells so they can not yield the same results.
1. Explain in a minimum of 4 sentences how you feel about the ethics of stem cell research?
2. Explain how do you feel about the legalization of stem cell research in the US in 4 sentences, do you think that it should be made illegal again?
3. What restrictions if any do you think there should be on stem cell research.
4. List 1 fact about stem cells or stem cell research. (no repeats)
5. Link to a site that supports your opinion.
Congress has tried to pass a bill on stem cell research called the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act. They tried to pass the bill twice, each time President Bush vetoed the bill.
A stem cell is a cell from the umbilical cord that can regenerate though mitosis.The cells have the ability to become any type of specialized cell. Stem cells have varying differentiation potential, referred to as potency. Totipotent stem cells arise from the fusion of egg and sperm cell and are remarkable because they can differentiate into any cell type.
Doctors believe that the stem cells have the ability to treat cancer, Parkinson's disease, and spinal cord diseases. They are also using adult stem cells to treat leukemia, and help in bone marrow transplants.
Stem cells reproduce by mitosis by are unique in that they can differentiate and form 220 different types of specialized cells. They begin to form after an egg is fertilized. Embryonic stem cells may lead to a cure for many diseases including cancer, Alzheimer’s, strokes and diabetes. Unfortunately some procedures in getting these cells involves killing an embryo.
Some people believe that this is killing a human being but others believe the embryo has no feelings sensory organs or sense of its surroundings and has no resemblance to a human being. This is the cause of an ongoing debate.
However there is a such thing as an adult stem cell which can be donated to science without the killing of anything. Unfortunately these stem cells are different then embryonic stem cells so they can not yield the same results.
1. Explain in a minimum of 4 sentences how you feel about the ethics of stem cell research?
2. Explain how do you feel about the legalization of stem cell research in the US in 4 sentences, do you think that it should be made illegal again?
3. What restrictions if any do you think there should be on stem cell research.
4. List 1 fact about stem cells or stem cell research. (no repeats)
5. Link to a site that supports your opinion.
# posted by Henry @ 2:00 PM 
