¶ … stem cell research and its future. The writer explores the history behind the research and then opens the debate on both sides, giving the reader the pros and cons from the vantage points of those who are involved with it. The writer then wraps the whole thing up with a discussion about how stem cell research can be allowed to continue so that the world can reap the benefits while still protecting the extremely strong feelings of the opposition. There were 10 sources used to complete this paper.
THE FUTURE LOOKS BRIGHT FOR STEM CELL RESEARCH
For the last several years, the debates around stem cell research have raged with emotions that run high. Those who are against it, line their reasons up and present them with fervor, while those who are for the research being continued, throw their own reasons into the mix. It is an international debate in which nations are drawing lines in the sand and taking sides either for or against the issue. It does not look like a debate that will be settled any time soon, which is unfortunate because the research could progress much more quickly if the political ramifications were removed. Stem cell research has promise to revolutionize the medical community. The breadth and scope of its abilities are seemingly endless, and it offers hope for the future in ways that the world never dreamed possible before. With millions of people waiting world wide for transplants that will never come in time, children dying daily from cancer that cannot be cured, and immune system problems that shorten lifespan in decades not years, the promise stem cell research holds is a shining light (Connor, pp 8). As the debates continue, it is important that the world find a way to continue the research, while working to educate the public as to what stem cell research is and what it isn't. Education will be the key that opens the door for the research. When people realize it is not going to suddenly see clones of each other walking out of labs and into the streets, but it will offer hope to millions of otherwise hopeless medical patients, the support will increase, the funding will increase and the world will break a new barrier for a better quality of life. The child who is cured of cancer may grow up to find a cure for AIDS, the grandfather who has his immune system boosted may raise his grandchildren when their parents are killed suddenly, or the woman who gets a new pancreas someday, thanks to stem cell research, may go on to spearhead a national organization that saves thousands of abused or neglected children. Stem cell research is not about making new people, it is about maintaining the life and productivity of the people who are here, much in the same way the invention of antibiotics and insulin did at their debuts.
WHAT IS THE NEED?
In the last three decades, medical science has made progress that allows people to live longer than ever before. For the most part that lengthened life span has included a higher quality of life than their predecessors had before them. While the longer life and the higher quality are a positive medical accomplishment there are negative effects that have been caused by the ability as well (Capell, 85). With people living longer than before, there are several areas of medical science that re being negatively affected. Transplant patients are at the top of the list for those who are suffering the effects of longer and healthier life spans. Transplant patients often die while waiting for a suitable donor to become available. Nobody likes to think about the fact that allowing people to live longer means those waiting for transplants die, but in basic terms that is exactly what happens. Because science can now treat so many things from accidents and illness, that they could not before, the donor list is much older and less available than in past years. Another area of negative impact that the longer life span has caused is the fact that those who do become ill or injured are being kept alive even through their suffering. It is a phenomenon that is causing many controversies and as the population continues to age it will continue to be a problem. Those who become ill are often treated with enough medical knowledge to stay alive, but the medical community cannot make them feel healthy again. These are just two of the reasons that stem cell research needs to be supported and allowed to continue...
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