Lobbying for Stem Cell Research - Biello
Stem Cells have been being researched and studied since 1908, when Russian histologist Alexander Maksimov proposed stem cells for scientific use. Up until this day, there is much controversy surrounding stem cell research and it is a heated ethical debate. Although, there are many types of stem cells, including (but not limited too) ; amniotic, adult, and fetal. But, most of the controversy surrounds embryonic stem cells. Research on these specific stem cells is controversial because of the creation, using, and destruction of human embryos.
Stem Cells
I'm lobbying for more funding and support towards embryonic stem cell research due to the medical breakthroughs that can come as a result of more research. I understand that there are some cons, but the pros definitely outweigh them. There is a plethora of diseases that stem cells can potentially fix including:
Embryonic stem cell
Now that the controversy has been resolved, why not support stem cell research 100%? I was interested in stem cell research and lobbying FOR it because I thought it was interesting that something so beneficial to the future of medical science was being kept mostly in the dark because of controversy and heated ethical debate. In my head, I knew there had to be some way to get around the controversy, and there actually is. Making the public aware of the cons and how they've BEEN addressed already is important - to get rid of controversy, in order for stem cell research to get the ball really rolling.
One of the main supporters of stem cell research is actually Pennsylvanian Republican Arlene Specter. Along with Iowa Democrat, Tom Harkin. In 2009, these two offered a Senate bill that would allow federal funding for stem cell research using stem cells of human embryos "left over from fertility treatments". Pretty much, taking what was going to be wasted anyways, and using it for something good - for a potential medical breakthrough.
Over the years however, things have changed for the better. President Obama has overturned Bush's stem cell policy and created his own, which is more in favor of funding for stem cell research. There is more federal funding provided to stem cell research now, with less restriction to the once banned - 60 cell lines. However, Obama has put in some guidelines to make sure that human cloning does not become a possibility.
Overall, the pros outweigh the cons. There have been many ways to tackle the cons in an efficient way and I believe the continuation of stem cell research should last for as long as possible under the future policies. I would not like to see the federal funding cut as it was just recently opened under President Obama. Stem cells have the power to potential change so much of medical science, saving and curing thousands and thousands of people. All, stem cell research needs is full support and a constant supply of federal funding to make these medical breakthroughs of the future something even closer than we imagined.
Obama turn over - http://bit.ly/heuDFZ
Debate - http://bit.ly/raTw91
Stem CellsI'm lobbying for more funding and support towards embryonic stem cell research due to the medical breakthroughs that can come as a result of more research. I understand that there are some cons, but the pros definitely outweigh them. There is a plethora of diseases that stem cells can potentially fix including:
"Parkinson’s Disease
Alzheimer’s Disease
Heart Diseases, Stroke and Diabetes (Type 1)
Birth Defects
Spinal Cord Injuries
Replace or Repair Damaged Organs" (http://bit.ly/2Bgbu9)
Embryonic stem cell Among many more solutions/cures. The biggest con to stem cell research however is that a human embryo must be destroyed to work with the most beneficial stem cell - the embryonic stem cell. However, this is being tackled in many different ways. There are some stem cell researches working around the controversy by discovering and creating techniques of isolating stem cells that are as beneficial as embryonic stem cells, but a human embryo doesn't have to be used or destroyed. Also, many parents can actually donate their unused embryos towards stem cell research after going through In vitro fertilisation (IVF).
Now that the controversy has been resolved, why not support stem cell research 100%? I was interested in stem cell research and lobbying FOR it because I thought it was interesting that something so beneficial to the future of medical science was being kept mostly in the dark because of controversy and heated ethical debate. In my head, I knew there had to be some way to get around the controversy, and there actually is. Making the public aware of the cons and how they've BEEN addressed already is important - to get rid of controversy, in order for stem cell research to get the ball really rolling.
One of the main supporters of stem cell research is actually Pennsylvanian Republican Arlene Specter. Along with Iowa Democrat, Tom Harkin. In 2009, these two offered a Senate bill that would allow federal funding for stem cell research using stem cells of human embryos "left over from fertility treatments". Pretty much, taking what was going to be wasted anyways, and using it for something good - for a potential medical breakthrough.
There are also major opponents of stem cell research. One of the largest members of opposition for stem cell research was President George W. Bush during his terms as president. In 2001, Bush restricted gov't funding to certain stem cell lines and threatened to veto at any expansion. Bush has stated that he thinks it is immoral to "experiment on or destroy human embryos".
Over the years however, things have changed for the better. President Obama has overturned Bush's stem cell policy and created his own, which is more in favor of funding for stem cell research. There is more federal funding provided to stem cell research now, with less restriction to the once banned - 60 cell lines. However, Obama has put in some guidelines to make sure that human cloning does not become a possibility.
Overall, the pros outweigh the cons. There have been many ways to tackle the cons in an efficient way and I believe the continuation of stem cell research should last for as long as possible under the future policies. I would not like to see the federal funding cut as it was just recently opened under President Obama. Stem cells have the power to potential change so much of medical science, saving and curing thousands and thousands of people. All, stem cell research needs is full support and a constant supply of federal funding to make these medical breakthroughs of the future something even closer than we imagined.
Obama turn over - http://bit.ly/heuDFZ
Opposition - http://bit.ly/nLEPPN
Debate - http://bit.ly/raTw91
Support for Stem Cell Research - http://reut.rs/mjFlwM
Stem Cell Controv. Wiki - http://bit.ly/oGUUiZ
More debate - TIME - http://ti.me/5khCZ9
IVF explanation - http://bit.ly/9J2rZc
pros/cons - http://bit.ly/2Bgbu9
