Topic > The Pros and Cons of Stem Cell Research - 1323

Stem cells have the latent ability to cure any disease. Commonly, a disease, known as macular degeneration, develops in the eyes of older adults. Macular degeneration occurs when there is damage to the inner retina, known as the macula. Mark Humayun, a professor of ophthalmology and biomedical engineering at the University of California, theorizes that using stem cells to regenerate portions of the retina's pigmented epithelial cells could treat macular degeneration (Stem cell research may lead to treatment of degeneration macular?). “Stem cell therapies are nothing new. But when scientists learned how to remove stem cells from human embryos, both excitement and controversy ensued” (The Stem Cell Debate: Is It Over?). Enthusiasm about the range of new possibilities and controversy about the moral and ethical implications of stem cell research. Most likely, stem cells could bring invulnerability to human life. Therefore, the demand for stem cell research is critical to prolong the existence of human life. Stem cells are a class of undifferentiated cells capable of differentiating into specialized cell types. Furthermore, in many tissues they serve as an internal repair system. When a stem cell divides, each new cell has the ability to remain a stem cell or become another type of cell with a more specialized function, such as muscle cells, blood cells, or brain cells (Stem Cell Basics) . “Stem cells have an interesting history that has been somewhat tainted by debate and controversy” (Murnaghan). In 1998, Thompson, at the University of Wisconsin, isolated cells from the inner cell mass of early embryos and developed the first embryonic stem cell lines. In the same year, Japanese and American research groups noted...... half of the document......" (What are stem cells?) Often "human cells are inserted into animals (such as mice or rats ) and can develop. This creates the opportunity for researchers to see what happens when stem cells are implanted. Many people, however, oppose creating an organism that is 'part human'" (What are stem cells?) Stem cells are a class of undifferentiated cells that are capable of differentiating into specialized cell types. Sources common sources of stem cells are embryonic stem cells and adult stem cells. Uncommon sources of stem cells are fetal stem cells and induced stem cells. If research proceeds accordingly, cures for all major and minor diseases will be possible at the risk of sparking controversy, the request for research on stem cells is fundamental for extending the existence of human life.