Stem Cell Research

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Stem Cell Research The Missing Link

• Bio Babes
• Amanda Bailey
• Crystal Cogran
• Connie Manning
• Kate Puszykowski

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• It is crucial to medical advancements that stem
  cell research be supported and funded in the
  United States, providing patients of treatable
  diseases with the best cure possible however,
  funding a research that will produce unknown
  results has many doubting the moral and ethical
  aspects of this investigation.

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Figure 1 Ratios of whether the government
should fund stem cell research. www.chemsoc.org
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Supporting Evidence of Pro Stem Cell Research

• The advancement of embryonic stem cell research
  has a potential to launch an entire medical
  movement towards a more beneficial approach to
  organ transplantation and human health, as Weiss
  explains, Human embryonic stem cells, derived
  from five-day-old embryos, have the biological
  potential to morph into virtually all of the 200
  or so kinds of cells in the body. Researchers are
  racing to lean how to direct them to develop into
  specific types of cells that can be transplanted
  into failing organs. It is an approach that could
  launch a new era of regenerative medicinebut
  only if the cells prove capable of integrating
  into existing organs and functioning normally
  there. (Weiss)
• As Ginter emphasizes in his studies stem cell
  research is yet to be perfected, but with support
  and resources it could produce a method that
  could not only save lives but advance scientific
  methods as quoted, Stem cell research is a
  baby science. In other words, the science is
  very much in its own embryonic stage, and it is
  closely connected to the dynamics of human
  procreation. As such it demands attention as any
  child does both because it needs help from others
  to mature and because we project onto it our
  wildest hopes. (Ginter)

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Pro Evidence

• Benefits of Stem Cell Research
• May help scientists to understand the complexity
  of human development.
• Could dramatically change the way we develop and
  test drugs.
• The generation of cells could be used as cell
  therapies (e.g. many diseases and disorders
  result from disruption of cellular function)
• 100 million Americans could benefit from stem
  cell research

• Treatable Diseases
• Diabetes
• Heart Disease
• Alzheimers
• Parkinsons
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Burns
• Spinal Cord Injuries

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Figure 2 How stem cells could be used for
tissue/cell therapy. www.fedcan.ca//breakfast/bay
liss1001.cfm
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Figure3 Example of Stem Cell use. www.txamr.org
Figure 4 Stem cells used through In Vitro
Fertilization. www.txamr.org
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Opposition to stem cell Research

• An opposing argument to stem cell research is
  one in which stem cells have limitations, and
  also have been linked to cancerous
  growths,resulting in harmful complications. Also
  embryonic stem cells are hard to control, which
  could lead to growth in an unreliable manner.
  Stem cell research is controversial politically
  and socially because it is known to kill embryos,
  which in turn raises pro-life issues.

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Figure 5 Mocking Stem Cell Research
www.cartoonstock.com
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Supporting Evidence For Anti-Stem cell Research

• Limitations of Stem Cell Research
• May take too long to mature to be effective to
  patients.
• If disease is genetic the adults cells will
  likely carry errors.
• Embryonic stem cells may produce unexpected
  results and cancerous growths.
• Embryonic cells often cause reactions in immune
  systems and may be destroyed.
• Ethical Controversies with Stem Cell Research
• Pro-lifers argue a few day old embryo is a human
  person. Extracting stem cells kills the embryo an
  act considered murder.
• Pro-lifers are trying to get a constitutional
  amendment passed saying the unborn child has a
  fundamental individual right to life which can
  not be infringed. (Erfelt, August 25, 2005)
• Current laws against funding research in which
  human embryos are harmed reflects legal and
  ethical norms against the misuse of any human
  being for research purposes.

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Figure 6 How stem cell research can cure many
common diseases. www.geron.com/showpage.asp
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Figure 7 process of embryonic stem cell
regeneration. www.silentribal.com/editorials.htm
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Final Position

• We as a group have taken a pro position in favor
  of stem cell research. Researchers confirm daily,
  that human stem cell research is showing to be
  the most beneficial immediately, because they can
  be found in nearly every type of adult tissue.
  Through stem cell research we can improve the way
  we develop and test drugs, and ultimately develop
  a way to cure very harmful, but commonly found
  diseases such as Diabetes, Alzheimers, and many
  more. The benefits that would come from these
  advancements would be a healthier population and
  an additional confidence in medical
  practitioners. We feel these advantageous
  features of stem cell research significantly out
  weigh what negative perspectives there are by
  driving science and medicine into a whole new era.

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Citation Central

• Ertelt, Steven . "Pro-Life Editorials."
  LifeNews.org. 25 Aug. 2004. 19 Apr. 2005
  .
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• Kadereit, Suzanne. "Cancer "Stem Cells" or Stem
  Cell "'Cancer"? ." 8 Sept 2004.
• International Society For Stem Cell Research. 10
  Apr. 2005 t04.htm.
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• O'brien, Nancy. "Stem-cell debate has personal
  ramifications for Catholic family."
• Children of God for Life. Culture of Life
  Foundation. 10 Apr. 2005 .
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• Weiss, Rick. "Two Studies Bolster Stem Cells' Use
  in Fighting Disease." Washington Post 27 Sep
  2004. 13 Mar 2005