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Shannon, Daree

Page history last edited by Daree Shannon 12 years, 3 months ago

     

Daree Shannon

12/13/11

English 1020

 

     Stem cell research is the discovery that embryonic stem cells can transform people’s lives by curing life threatening diseases and permanent disabilities. It’s a miracle cure that doctors and scientists have spent years to research, test and get the approval to use on humans, but there being so much controversy surrounding it, it’s been a problematic discovery. There was once a ban put on stem cell research only allowing a small number of lines of stem cells already extracted from embryos. (The New York Times) In 2008 President Barack Obama lifted the ban on stem cell research. Allowing government financing to continue for embryonic stem cell research. (Jordan Lite) Even with the ban being lifted there is still controversy surrounding stem cell research. Stem cells are obtained from donated human embryos left over from fertility treatments; destroying embryos in the process opponents link it to murder. There are other ways of research scientists have made. One discovery allows stem cells to still cure diseases and disabilities but, doesn’t require human embryos at all. Doctors can still save people’s lives without killing or destroying others in the process. Another discovery still requires a small amount of human embryos. If opponents could see the non controversy side of stem cell research it would bring researches a step forward in this medical breakthrough. The goal is to evaluate the lift on the ban of stem cell research using the criteria that the lift will help America lead the world of discoveries, ease the pain of the sick and disabled, and allow government funding for clinical trials of embryonic stem cells. Stem cell research has great potential that will one day eliminate incurable diseases and permanent disabilities.

 

     Stem cells were first discovered in the 1800s they can give rise to other cells making them a progenitor to human cells. Progenitor cells mean they can only divide a certain amount of times. Stem cell research involves both human and animal cells. The controversy involving embryonic stem cell research is the destruction of living human embryos. In September 2005 California Scientists discovered the cure for paralysis when they successfully injected human neural stem cell in a paralyzed mouse. The injection repaired the spinal cord allowing the mouse to walk again. It was the first time human transplantable cells used to fix the nervous system and heal the spinal cord. Human embryonic stem cell research is also responsible for the cure of brain disease. Researchers at the Stanford Burnham Medical Research Institute recently discovered the molecular messengers that are responsible for translating inflammatory signals into genetic changes that stimulate stem cells to differentiate. The discovery that microglia develop for only a short period after conception allows researchers to manipulate stem cells to produce viable microglia, in the hopes of replacing damaged microglia present in the brain. (Jonathan H, Denae M, Christopher N, Neil P) There was a recent ban put on stem cell research only allowing a small number of lines of stem cells already extracted from embryos. (The New York Times) If the ban is not lifted, doctors and scientists will have to shut down their projects and it might even become impossible to fund future projects.

     

     Stem cell research has many positive attributes. The pros of stem cell research includes prolonging and improving the lives of people living with Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, heart diseases, type 1 diabetes, birth defects, and spinal cord injuries. (Experiment resources) Embryonic stem cells are essential for people’s health millions of people suffer and die from diseases and disabilities every year. There are many supporters of stem cell research including Christopher Reeves, Michael J. Fox, Jeff Suppan, Kurt Warner, Mike Sweeney, Patricia Heaton, Jim Caviezel. Michael J. Fox suffers from Parkinson’s disease and has made it his life goal toward the approval of stem cell research. In 2006 he was in a 30 second Missouri commercial supporting stem cell research for Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Claire McCaskill. Celebrities have a long history of supporting political candidates. But there's no question that Fox, who campaigned for John Kerry in the 2004 presidential race, is uniquely suited as a spokesman for stem cell research. (Washington Post)

 

     On the Other Hand there is also a lot of controversy surrounding stem cell research. People who are against stem cell research view it as a useless discovery. The cons of stem cell research includes people messing with human life, humans trying to play God, and the possibility of human cloning. (Experiment Resources) Scientists use stem cells from aborted fetuses to cure diseases and disabilities. Critics against stem cell research argue that a fertilized egg should be valued as human life and destroying it in the hopes of saving lives is unethical. (Experiment Resources) Another argument critics have against stem cell research is that embryonic stem cell treatments can sometimes create tumors. ((Wikipedia) President George Bush was not a fan of stem cell research. In 2001 he declared that scientists who received federal research funds could only work with a handful of stem cell lines. Congress has threatened to make it illegal to use cloning to create new stem cell lines for biomedical research. (Bruce Agnew) These actions created by the White House are responsible for the bans on human embryonic stem cell research.

 

     There is a global gap between the U.S. and other countries due to the ban on embryonic stem cell research. It hurts American competitiveness and slows international research. Scientists in the U.S. are forced to work with old contaminated stem cell lines, while scientists in other countries are allowed to use the latest lines to speed up their work. It also makes collaboration with foreign scientists more difficult. The U.S. is considered to be the most advanced country in the world, but that could change if the stem cell policy is not improved. The U.K. which frequently collaborates with the U.S. has even surpassed the federal government in favor of forming ties with the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine. Prime Minister Blair thinks the U.K. can collaborate with California scientists more efficiently and he can lure private U.S. stem cell firms to Britain. The U.S. stem cell policy has relegated the federal government to second place status in its own country. (Jonathan D. Moreno) The United States is a country founded on morals, beliefs, rights, happiness, change and should people to receive cures for diseases and disabilities.

 

     Stem cell research is a miracle breakthrough in medicine. It could help so many people with life threatening illnesses and unchangeable disabilities. But with the major threats and controversies against it, it may never get to solve these medical problems. I think the United States should think about its goals and opportunities it promises its citizens. The U.S. is set on making this the greatest country to live in, but won’t allow a historical breakthrough like human embryonic stem cells to help and save people’s lives. It’s been proven to work researchers have successfully repaired the spinal cord in mice. Yet people still have doubts about this procedure. They view the destroying of human cells has wrong, but these are stem cells that will be put in the waste basket anyway. Why shouldn’t they be used to help repair and save lives?

 

     There are many organizations that support stem cell research and were created to give hope to the many people living with diseases and disabilities. In 2004 when Proposition 71 made stem cell research a constitutional right UC Irvine began planning for a center. It took three years and 66.6 million dollars, but on May 14 2010 a new building to house research opened its doors. The Sue and Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center allows researchers at UCI to continue leading the way to end diseases like Alzheimer’s, multiple sclerosis, cancer and Parkinson’s disease along with treating spinal cord injuries. (Stephanie Vatz) The Michael J. Fox Foundation is dedicated to finding a cure for Parkinson’s disease, and ensuring the development of improved therapies for people living with Parkinson’s. The foundation also offers opportunities to people who want to join the fight against Parkinson’s. (MichaelJFox.org) Student Society for Stem cell research was founded in August of 2003 and is dedicated to the advancement of scientific research for cures. They believe stem cell research will revolutionize the fields of medicine and change people’s lives. The SSSCR wants to be of service by helping people living with debilitating conditions. The SSSCR networks over 10 countries, 25 U.S., states and 100 institutions consisting of students, researchers, patient advocates, and policy makers united by the purpose of finding treatments and cures to debilitating conditions. The nature of stem cells is a source of incalculable healing and regeneration. (SSSCR.org) Care Cure Forum is a message board in which people suffering from spinal cord injuries can chat with one another. Spinal cord care forum is for the art and science of managing therapies, routines, medication, supplies, equipment and everything else needed to maintain the spinal injured person in top health. The Research Forum lists abstracts of the latest scientific articles on brain injury & stroke, neurodegeneration, multiple sclerosis, neuropathic pain, spinal cord injury, stem cells, and tranverse myelitis. (W.M. Keck) Hopefully with the help of these organizations stem cell research will have a positive future helping and saving people’s lives.

 

     One of the biggest problems with stem cell research is the funding. The United States was once against the funding and testing of stem cell research. In 2008 President Barack Obama lifted the ban on stem cell research and signed an executive order to allow research that supporters believe could uncover cures for serious diseases and paralysis. (CBS news) He’s allowing federal taxpayer dollars to fund the research on embryonic stem cell research. The order reversed George Bush’s policy Obama said “medical miracles do not happen simply by accident," he wanted to fulfill his campaign promise. (CBS news) More and more people are supporting both Barack Obama and stem cell research because of this legislation. In 2007 a CBS poll was taken and 75% said they approved stem cell research. The number of those who approved had increased since 2004 when only 50 % approved. (CBS news)

 

     As a result, Stem cell research is a medical miracle that scientists have discovered can cure diseases and heal the spinal cord. People who are living with cancers, Type 1 diabetes, Parkinson’s disease and spinal cord injuries may now be able to look forward to having a longer fuller life. Supporters of stem cell research include Michael J. Fox, Jim Caviezel, and Christopher Reeves prior to his death. They have dedicated their lives in support of stem cell research. Even though there are so many supporters of stem cell research, there are still arguments, bans and controversy surrounding it. Many people are against stem cell research because it destroys human cells, treatments can create tumors and creates human cloning. Even with all the controversy and criticism stem cell research is still a wonderful discovery. George Bush banned Stem cell research and only allowed doctors to use a few stem cell lines. In 2008 President Obama not only lifted the ban but he signed a legislation allowing federal taxpayer dollars to fund the research on embryonic stem cell research. By Barack Obama passing this legislation it puts an end to the arguments that stem cell research is a failure discovery and will be the beginning of the cures for Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, heart diseases, type 1 diabetes, birth defects, and spinal cord injuries.

Comments (4)

Anisa said

at 12:55 pm on Sep 22, 2011

1. The thesis of this paper is how these companies are using celebrities and sex to make their product sell.
2. Yes this paper does have a clear idea that these diet pills are being advertised by celebrities to make this product be successful and also to sell. But extend the point of how many commercials there are about diet. Is this the reason why girls have low self esteem or are having health problems because they want to be like “Kim and Chloe”
3. This essay follows a nice pattern to let us know who is using it, and how they are affecting us.
4. An argument can be why is this wrong? How is it influencing the audience?
5. The strongest point is “the use of celebrities”. We all think that just because they are advertising this product, we want to use it too so we can look like them. But have they even used it…or are they faking it just for TV and money? Are their bodies photo shopped?
6. Weakest point- why is it wrong?
7. Make a clear argument
8. The paper is well written, but need to extend more comments.
9. B-

Travis Rodery said

at 12:33 pm on Oct 13, 2011

1. Paper needs a clearer and stronger thesis in the introduction paragraph. The main arguement is about how slaves were mistreated and wanted equal rights from those above them.
2. The paragraphs need to be switched around so that the slaves start off as slaves then work their way up to becoming free.
3. Direct quotes could help make stronger and bolder points in argueing in your paragraphs.
4. The last paragraph of the paper is the strongest in my opinion, explainshow slaves were free by law but americans still tried to deny them rights and how it is still a battle to this day.
5. There is no conclusion in this paper so that would be the weakest part because you have to sign your reader off on a good note.
6. Points are drawn out of the book and life moments from the author are in the paper, but there are no direct quotes from the book.
7. Sentences started with some of the same words, I suggest trying to change up each sentence starter and trying to combine smaller sentences to form a better normal sized one.
8. It reads more like a review of the book.
9. B-

Travis Rodery said

at 12:13 pm on Nov 3, 2011

1. Yes, Tobacco companies that sell cigarettes despite knowing that they cause cancer Intro: history of Big Tobacco
2. Background info and the historyof the product are stated. Everything seems to go along with the paragraph it is in.
3. Tobacco companies put labels and pictures of the causes and effects of tobacco, so it is the peoples choice to use the product. Add in why people can not stop using the product eventhough they know there are serious side effects.
4. The introduction is the strongest element of the paper.
5.The most improvement needed is the length of the paragraphs, and some commas need to be added.
6. Some commas need to be added, but everything else was spelled right and there were no run on sentences.
7. The purpose is to show the world that the power the tobacco companies have over shadow the smaller ones trying to ban it and fight it.
8. I give this paper a B-.

Paul Elden said

at 10:37 pm on Nov 30, 2011

1) I can't really evaluate your abstract exigence because there is no abstract here, but the exigence as to why it needs to be discussed in the actual evaluation is clear.
2) I can't really follow/find the criteria in your first paragraph... You seem to jump around a lot and include content that would be better suited in separate paragraphs (i.e. the description of stem cells or the supporters of research). I suggest condensing your intro a lot and clarifying your thesis. Also, the proposal has not been put up (or written) so I can't judge that part either.
3) You have a lot of great research (except for Wikipedia, use that as a reference tool, not a source). You can lighten up on the citations though. For example, the part where you continuously quote Jonathan H, Denae M, Christopher N, and Neil P can all just be cited once.
4) Aside from the intro, you keep your topics fairly separate and methodical. There are a few formatting issues that you need to clear like the random spots where you seem to have pressed "enter" accidentally. After I found where the actual paragraphs separated it was fairly clear.
5) I could counterargue that these fertilized eggs could be implanted in infertile women, or mothers that want to adopt instead of being destroyed for research purposes.
6) Work on your thesis definitely. Move some of your content out of the intro, and also work this more with a proposal tone.

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