Final Draft Argumentative Essay

Yanna Sanchez

Ms. Nargiza Matyakuboya

English 21003. Section M

3 October 2017

Final Draft Argumentative Essay

The Search to a Better Future:

The Controversy on Embryonic Stem Cell Research

Abstract

Embryonic Stem Cell Research, has opened many doors into the understanding of molecular biological processes and development.  This research has allowed scientist to probe deeper into many basic fundamental concepts of biology, and has allowed them to explore other areas of molecular biology.  Scientists have made many advances in curing many diseases, disorders, and treating permanent injuries to the spinal cord, which is responsible for movement of the body.  Embryonic stem cell research, is conducted on one-celled fertilized eggs, that are produced artificially in a laboratory setting.  This fact, has led to a great deal of controversy throughout the world amongst all different kinds of public audiences ranging from different science fields, politics, and religions.   

Embryonic Stem Cells are a library, full of human molecular biological information.  Using Embryonic Stem Cells scientist will be able to fully understand all the metabolizing processes and reproductive processes involved in a cell, this knowledge will enable scientist to produce cures and treatments.  The study being conducted on embryonic stem cells provide the people who are suffering from a medical condition, or who know of a loved one who is suffering with the mere idea of hope that a cure will be found, and that soon they will be able to live a full painless life.  Thus, Embryonic Stem Cell Research is crucial to a better future based on the its biological knowledge, the medical advances it leads too, and the hope it provides people with.

 Embryonic Stem Cell Research has and will continue to expand the knowledge of the basic fundamental processes of life.  Francis S. Collins, Director of National Institute of Health in charge of the Department of Health and Human Services, states that the research being conducted allows for greater understanding of the molecular pathways and the development of diseases (United States 8).  This study has allowed researchers to use the information that they have acquired to create an artificial form of pluripotent stem cells, known as induced pluripotent stem cells referred to as iPS.  Pluripotent cells are cells that have the ability to form any cell in the body, in Figure 1 shows how human Embryonic Stem Cells can form into all those many types of cells.  However, iPS cells are adult cells that replenish dying cells of their own kind, but have been modified to act like pluripotent cells (United States 45).  This implies that these cells can potentially be used to cure diseased organs. 

Figure 1 Courtesy of The Promise of Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research Francis S. Collins M.D Ph.D Director of National Institutes of Health pg.17

Embryonic Stem Cell Research also enables advances in medicine.  Jean Peduzzi Nelson Ph.D Neuroscientist and Professor in the Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology at Wayne State University School of Medicine,  explains how the study of pluripotent cells has provided his study on spinal cord injuries and diseases with a fundamental basis of understanding (United States 45).  Using iPS cells, research related to heart conditions, cancers, and spinal cord injuries has led to many successful trial treatments.  Neuroscientist Nelson explains how a study was done on 191 patients experiencing chronic heart failure who were treated with adult stem cells.  When these patients were compared to 200 patients other patients with the same condition, the treated patients lived longer and were able to do more exercise with the condition (United States 47).  Treatment plans such as these were made possible based on the research conducted on Embryonic Stem Cells.

Another important aspect of Embryonic Stem Cells, is that this research and findings gives people hope towards a better future.  Francis S. Collins brings this letter to the hearing held:

I have held my breath with hope that my sons would benefit from the early stem cell research.  I watched as American scientists and science fell further behind on the global scene during the past decade.  In 2009, I had such hope that once again our medical schools and universities would begin to attract the best and brightest young minds to work in this exciting and promising area of research. 

This week’s news was devastating to me.  I had no idea how strongly I would be affected by it.  Your message of support for the research once again gives me hope, hope that there will be change, hope that we will see effective treatments in our lifetimes for these devastating diseases. 

This was a letter written by a mother whose two sons suffer from type 1 diabetes, while she suffers from Parkinson’s disease, a central nervous system disorder that affects movement and with time will only become worse.  These diseases can be cured with adequate research conducted on Embryonic Stem Cells, in Figure 2 we can see many people who could benefit or could have benefitted from treatments derived from Embryonic Stem Cells.

  Figure 2 The Promise of Human Embryonic Stem   Cell Research Collins pg. 17

           

When does life begin?  A major question leading the controversy.  In The Embryonic Stem Cell Research: Exploring the Controversy, Richard M. Doerlflinger Deputy Director, Secretariat for Pro-Life Activities, whose also apart of U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, states “human life and dignity must not be trampled on in the pursuit of medical knowledge useful to others” (United States 11).  He claims that the progress of medicine while destroying a human is inhuman.  Dr. Laurie Zoloth Professor and Director of Bioethics Center for Genetic Medicine at Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University, states that no one can really determine “when life begins” because it is not a fixed biological question (United States 10).  Dr. Zoloth also states “I believe that human life is a developmental process.  You acquire moral status as you acquire more and more milestones on this developmental path” (United States 22).

Many individuals also claim that this research goes against moral rights.  Doerlfinger claims that regardless to what scientist impose, the embryo is when life begins, with that one celled zygote, a fertilized egg.  However, Dr. Zoloth states that morally people with all back grounds and beliefs, understand that it is “morally imperative” that research is conducted to “save lives” (United States 22). 

In the many letters written to the editor, Dr. Patricia June at the Medical Center in Moultrie, GA, many claim that there is a lack of regulation on research being done especially with private funds (Letters to The Letter 990).  However, Dr. Russell W. Chessney, chairperson of the AAP Committee on Pediatric Research, responded that under certain conditions research using human Embryonic Stem Cells is of “sufficient scientific importance” and will continue to be unregulated by the private sector approach (Letters to The Editor 991).  The Administration’s Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research Funding Policy suggests that if an individual is against the research they should do the following suggestions.  Non-cooperation, which means one does involve oneself in the commission of the act.  Non-abetting, which means one does not encourage the act or repetition of the act.  And lastly, reaffirmation of the principle, which means one does not accept the benefits, instead one rejects it (Citizens Weigh In 5).

Therefore, Embryonic Stem Cell testing is important to a better understanding of many biological processes, the further advancement of medical research to better the lives of millions of people, and mere idea of hope people need to look forward to a better tomorrow.  Based on all its benefits Embryonic Stem Cell Research will pioneer the search to a better future.   

           

    

Works Cited

"Citizens weigh in." Nature, vol. 502, no. 7473, 2013, p. 598. Academic OneFile, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=AONE&sw=w&u=cuny_ccny&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA350978145&it=r&asid=b9b467d7a90e9d48951a1c1272b09911. Accessed 29 Sept. 2017.

“Embryonic Stem-Cell Research.” The New England Journal of Medicine, vol. 351, no. 17, 2004, pp. 1797–1798.

June, Patricia L. “Embryonic Stem Cell Research. (Letters to the Editor).(Letter to the Editor).” Pediatrics, vol. 109, no. 5, 2002, pp. 990–1.

Kondro, Wayne. “Court Upholds Funding of Embryonic Stem Cell Research.” CMAJ: Canadian Medical Association Journal, vol. 184, no. 14, 2012, pp. E749–E750.

Moon, Seongwuk, and Seong Beom Cho. "Differential impact of science policy on subfields of human embryonic stem cell research." PLoS ONE, vol. 9, no. 4, 2014. Academic OneFile, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=AONE&sw=w&u=cuny_ccny&v=2.1&it=r&id=GALE%7CA375582401&asid=3e3fd7fc714c691e51180e7e71faeb43. Accessed 29 Sept. 2017.

"Stem-cell finale." Nature, vol. 493, no. 7431, 2013, p. 138. Academic OneFile, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=AONE&sw=w&u=cuny_ccny&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA314651836&it=r&asid=eddfb3cbacdd6d40da894d527adefdb8. Accessed 29 Sept. 2017.

United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Appropriations. Subcommittee on Departments of Labor, Health Human Services, Education, Related Agencies. The Promise of Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research Hearing before a Subcommittee of the Committee on Appropriations, United States Senate, One Hundred Eleventh Congress, Second Session, Special Hearing, September 16, 2010, Washington, DC. Washington, U.S. G.P.O., 2011.

United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Commerce, Science, Transportation. Subcommittee on Science, Technology, Space, author. Embryonic Stem Cell Research : Exploring the Controversy : Hearing before the Subcommittee on Science, Technology, and Space of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, United States Senate, One Hundred Eighth Congress, Second Session, September 29, 2004. 2013.