Furthermore, the authors hold that simply educating the public regarding issues of scientific controversy is far too simple a solution for a problem of such complexity. Indeed, the variety of opinions as mixed with fact, along with personal and social religious and moral opinion make the issue far more than one of mere cognitive understanding.
In the case of stem cell research specifically, personal, religious, and scientific opinion are also intertwined with politics, as well as either gloomy or bright predictions for a contradictory future should stem cell research be legalized. Indeed, there appears to be little hope for a homogeneous and amicable solution. There are simply too many interested parties; those who suffer from diseases; political parties whose main support is from the religious community; and the medical community who might profit from success in stem cell research all hold different stakes in the technology.
In addition to its take in stem cell technology, politics can also be said to exert considerable influence over the public opinion. Politics in the United States is indeed in itself an especially strong influence within the public. Calvari (2008) uses the example of President Bush to demonstrate this. Prior to the President's public declaration of policy regarding stem cell research, no federal funds was available for research when stem cells were derived from human embryos or fetal tissue (Calvari, 2008, p. 7). This changed during 1998, when the National Institute for Health provided guidelines that included stem cell research on embryos that were in excess at fertility clinics. Federal funding was however still absent, in waiting for a review of grant applications. This stalled the process to such a degree that it was all but terminated. Once in office, President Bush made not secret of his opinion that stem cell research on human embryos should not receive federal funding. This influenced the issue not only in the scientific community, but also in terms of public opinion.
This however created a discrepancy between scientific progress and governmental policy. The progress made by science in stem cell research, regardless of public or political opposition, required a clear statement from the President, which, according to Calvari, he provided in August 2001. In his address, the President voiced the opinion of many Americans, in that the importance of battling disease should not override the importance of the potential for life itself. President Bush hence declared his position as opposed to stem cell research that destroyed embryos. Furthermore, the President also forwarded his own religious viewpoint, which holds that life is a gift from the creator, and that destroying embryos in favor of science held particular dangers for society.
Nevertheless, the President understood the importance of compromise, and allowed funding for research on existing stem cell lines, where there is no life or death decision pending. Specifically, this meant that stem cell research was only allowed in cases where cells were provided with the informed consent of donors; derived from excess embryos created for reproductive purposes; or without financial inducements to donors.
This compromise was more than the effect of any personal opinions by President Bush. Indeed, by offering it to the public, he hoped to cater to both an opposition sector, which opposed stem cell research entirely, and a more liberal sector of the public, which hoped he would be less restrictive in his policies. In this way, it appears that the President, like many a politician, attempted to influence the public opinion of his office in terms of gaining popularity and votes rather than actively and critically considering the best course of action for the benefit of the public.
The way in which the pubic perceives political influence over scientific issues such as stem cell research. According to O'Brien, a significant proportion of the public does not believe that politicians are sufficiently knowledgeable to make informed decisions regarding stem cell research policy. O'Brien investigated the public opinion regarding scientific as opposed to political leaders in their importance regarding decision-making on scientific issues. According to O'Brien (p. 18), a direct influencing factor on this opinion is the amount of knowledge that scientists are believed to have of scientific issues, whereas elected political leaders are perceived to be concerned more with general public issues.
When then returning to the case of President Bush above, it follows that O'Brien's research group...
Stem Cell Research Should Have More Government Funding The topic argument "Stem cell research government funding." For paper, construct argument defending a claim policy. Remember argument based a claim policy, writer seeks solve a problem establish a problem exists, part argument entail claims fact Stem cell research should have more government funding A stem cell can be defined as type of cell that can be found in many body tissues. Stem cells can
Conclusion This Technology Should Be Regulated and Controlled by Government There is not really much argument that stem cell research, regardless of its origin as embryonic or otherwise should be controlled to some degree by the government as the development of this research demonstrates a potential for abuse that is startling and could essentially be highly abused. The abuse of this type of research would likely be sourced in the desire of
This often means expanding the role of the nurse in the modern medical environment. One of the most important signs of the way that nursing has changed to deal with the problems and possibilities of cloning and stem cell research is that nurses have become more "genetically aware." This means that the issue of genetics and stem cell research has become part of the knowledge that is required of
In collaboration with University of Wisconsin physician-scientists, Thomson has subsequently demonstrated the developmental potential of human embryonic stem cells in lineage-specific differentiation, such as blood, trophoblast, neural tissue and heart (James). Currently his focus is directed on understanding how embryonic stem cells can "form any cell in the body, how an ES cell chooses between self-renewal and the initial decision to differentiate, and how a differentiated cell with limited
REBUTTAL: STEM CELL RESEARCH Stem Cell research is a horrible and flawed way of attempting to cater to the whims of narcissistic people who long to discover the proverbial fountain of youth and keys to perfect health. These individuals don't care anything about the lives of those they are destroying in an effort to enhance their own lives! If you value human life at all stages, it is only natural to
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
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