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porchfiend 27 year old male Buffalo, NY (US) Satan represents undefiled wisdom instead of hypocritical self-deceit! [more]
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Red, White, and Platelets |
March 18, 2006, 3:00PM |
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by: Tezrian topic: Essays bookmark this article view bookmarked articles go to archives |
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| Imagine giving birth to a little boy, he seems healthy enough. He has his mother’s eyes and fathers face and is loved even though he is covered in blood and other things. He goes in for the routine tests all babies are required to have. When the doctor comes back he says that he has sickle cell anemia. Sickle cell anemia is a genetic disorder in which blood cells are not circular but sickle shaped. The distorted shape cuts the cells ability to carry oxygen along with other problems. Sickle cell anemia did not have a cure when the boy was born. A few years later a new idea cropped up. By taking stem cells found in umbilical cord blood it could cure different diseases and regenerate dying cells. The idea was accurate and the boy was cured of his sickle cell anemia thanks to stem cell research (Davis, 2005).
Laboratories, growing, and harvesting, these words, long ago would have been associated with an evil scientist experimenting with his or her new creation. Now, these words are connected to stem cell research. Stem cells are difficult to obtain because they are only found in a limited number of places. One of these places, and how the stem cells are retrieved, has many pro-life members in an uproar. Embryonic stem cells, along with bone marrow and adult stem cells should be used to benefit society, and this research should be continued without restrictions. One of the foremost arguments against stem cell research is the initial gathering of the stem cells. When stem cells were first grown in 1998 it was a shock to society. Many did not know what to think about this breakthrough in science, while others were in an outrage. The cells had been taken from a human embryo. To normal human beings it does not sound as though it is a major problem. Many people die and leave their bodies to science. Their cells are used in tests for future generations and the advancement of science along with the expansion of knowledge. Those who believe strongly against abortion and fetal tissue research believed that the scientists were taking a life (Hatch, 2005). Pro Life members believe that any cell that has been fertilized is a human being. Therefore, by taking the stem cells from that developing mass of cells and destroying it, what the scientist has done is murder (Wertz, 1999). The extraction of stem cells, however, can be justified. “To say that fetal research causes abortions is a bit like saying that a need for donor organs causes murders (Wertz, 4).” It has been determined that a fertilized egg is not a “human being” until it reaches fourteen days after conception. In these fourteen days it is called a “pre embryo.” Previous to the fourteenth day the scientists are allowed to harvest the stem cells grown. After that certain date it is unwise to harvest because the argument over when a human really is a human begins. The process of extracting the stem cells is known to few. If more knew about the process and how specific the cells can become in the procedure many doubts about stem cells would be cleared up. Possibly even Pro Life members might agree that it is worth using. The first step of the process an egg is taken then the DNA is removed. After that skin cells from the patient are removed and DNA is removed. Then the DNA from the skin cell is placed within the egg. After that is done the blastocyst, egg, is stimulated with either electro current or chemicals. In a three to five day time period the cell divide and multiply creating stem cells. Finally the growing cells are removed and by doing that the blastocyst is destroyed, murdered by those who believe in Pro Life. These life altering cells are placed inside a patient who is suffering from any number of diseases and disorders in the hopes that it will work. Since stem cells have the capacity to form into any cell of the body the possibility of healing are seemingly endless (White, 2005). Eggs that are used can come from any number of sources. Donations, cadavers that were given to science, even the leftovers from processes such as In vitro fertilization, or IVF. Eggs are frozen in storage to be kept for several years before being destroyed to make room for new eggs that are brought in. It is estimated that millions of frozen eggs that are usable are decimated each year. Each of those eggs has the possibility of helping someone. From diabetes to sickle cell anemia, a single egg can create a miracle where they was no hope (National Health Institute). Gene therapy sounds like a futuristic medical process. However, it is being used today to try and cure diseases that have plagued the world for centuries. Many believe that the process of gene therapy will do more harm then good. A single error and the patient could end up in worse shape. The disease could worsen, leading to debilitating results. The worst outcome for a mistake in gene therapy would result in death. There have been claims that there is a high mortality rate for gene therapy. Some say that there is a larger risk for death then the miracle that it promises. For nearly ten years scientists have been working on gene therapy. All of them hope for it to work, nearly ten years to find a way to make it work (Rifkin, 2005). Gene therapy by using stem cells is the miracle that scientists have been searching for. The problem behind gene therapy is the donor genes used in the procedure were not a perfect match. Like any transplant the donor must be just right or the patient receiving the transplant will suffer and the operation rejected. Normally organs will turn black from lack of oxygen being transported and cease to function, while in the case of blood donors would result in death of the patient. Stem cells reduce the risk to a near zero percent fatality rate. This is made possible because of the stem cells ability to be manipulated with the patients DNA into whatever cell is needed in the therapy. The patient technically is using his or her own skin, blood, heart cells in the therapy. The ability to do so decreases any risk of a match being incorrect. The patient’s recovery from his or her disease should be a hundred percent A big issue with embryonic stem cells is federal aid from the government. In 1995 a ban on stem cell funding through the federal government was placed. In 2005 the bill was reviewed and kept in place. An overwhelming majority was against removing the ban on the funding (Meyer, 11). Private funding, however, is still allowed. Many of the companies that have worked with stem cells spent years scraping together money to continue research on the scientific break through. If the government funded the research and the medical projects then more questions could be answered. Questions on whether or not stem cells will cure diseases scientists have been trying to cure for decades. Also questions such as could it cure cancer have been spoken about and hypothesized. The possibilities that stem cells have are enormous. If federal aid was granted and the ban withdrawn then more people could be cured of diseases that they have been suffering with for entire lifetimes. Many babies could be saved from living a life that would have required them to take shots every day, or leave them unable to do what normal children do because of a disease that they had been born with. The government needs to allow the funding to help future generation and the children born, if nothing else (H.R. 810). Another Act pertaining to stem cells was up for review within the House of Representatives. The Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Act of 2005 strongly supports the usage of umbilical cord blood. Umbilical cord blood contains stem cells. The stem cells found in the cord can be taken without an egg being destroyed. The Act states that the use of the cells from the umbilical cord can be used to treat the many suffering peoples of the world. It also can be federally funded because the stem cells were not taken from an embryo (H.R. 2520). Besides embryonic and umbilical cord stem cells there are two other types. Bone marrow stem cells are limited in their ability to become different types of cells. These cells include the red, white, and platelet cells in the blood. Being limited in their abilities to change, their usefulness also lessens, but they are still beneficial when dealing with blood disorders. These cells are more difficult to harvest because they are found in the marrow and the procedure is complicated. Also bone marrow stem cells are not condemned by Pro Life members and are accepted. Last but not least, adult stem cells also have the ability to change into many of the cells of the body. These cells are minutely limited in their ability to turn into other cells. Studies show that they are less effective then the embryonic stem cells. They are also much more difficult to obtain and are slow growing. Though after many tests, the cells still have much potential and will most likely be used much more then its embryonic cousin (Caplan). These stem cells are the alternative to embryonic stem cells and Pro Life members are pushing to have these cells be the main cells used to help patients. Eggs, harvesting, and miracle are all words associated with stem cell research. The discovery of these cells was a wonderful thing to happen. The benefits that are possible with these cells can reach as far as the imagination. The curing of illness in thousands is worth the price of a few embryos that are used in the process. These are just some of the many reasons that stem cell research should be continued to be used to benefit the world and all the people that live on it. The ability to save lives should never be forgotten. Miracles such as the boy’s full recovery from sickle cell anemia are far too precious to be kept a secret. The world should be able to experience the joy of a loved ones recovery when they thought death was the only option. References Caplan, Arthur “Research on Human Embryos Can Be Ethical.” Medical Ethics (2000). 15 Nov. 2005. Davis, D Curing Sickle Cell Anemia. Online. 7 Dec 2005. Executive Office of the President Statement of Administration Policy H.R. 810 -- Stem Cell Enhancement Act of 2005. 24 May 2005. Online. 8 Dec 2005. Executive Office of the President Statement of Administration Policy H.R. 2520 -- Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Act of 2005. 24 May 2005. Online. 8 Dec 2005. Goldstein, Lawrence “Fetal Stem Cell Research May Improve Medicine.” Technology and Society (2002). 15 Nov. 2005. Hatch, Orrin G. “Embryonic Stem Cell Research Is Ethical.” Medical Ethics (2005). 15 Nov. 2005. Meyer, Michael J. “Human Embryo Experimentation Can Be Morally Justifiable.” Greenhaven Press (2002). 15 Nov. 2005. National Institute of Health, “Embryonic Stem Cell Research Is Beneficial.” Human Embryo Experimentation. (2002). 15 Nov. 2005. Rifkin, J “Gene Therapy Is Dangerous to Health.” Greenhaven Press (2002). 8 Dec. 2005. Wertz, Dorothy C. “Fetal Tissue Research Will Benefit Medical Science.” Greenhaven Press (1999). 15 Nov. 2005. White, D Pros and Cons of Embryonic Stem Cell Research. Aug 2005. Online. 7 Dec 2005. (If you wish to read the articles and the links do not work, please message me and I will send you the article) |
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 AcId_iN_eDeN |
*salutes* April 7, 1970, 9:10PM |
 Saturnalia Article Editor |
"SerenFae
I do love than comment my faith is now restored in you. " - AcId_iN_eDeN Nobody can hate me forever.  ------ "Why is it that, as a culture, we are more comfortable seeing two men holding guns than holding hands?" ~Ernest Gaines April 7, 1970, 9:10PM |
 Tezrian |
I wanna thank everyone who has given me comments, I really appreciate hearing everyones opinion on this topic because I feel strongly about it. Thank again ------ I am the solitary Panther April 7, 1970, 9:10PM |
AcId_iN_eDeN |
SerenFae
I do love than comment my faith is now restored in you. April 7, 1970, 9:10PM |
Saturnalia Article Editor |
Since abortion is still legal anyways, why not just take all those aborted babies and use their stem cells? Put them to good use. Either that, or use them to feed the homeless, but do -something- with all those wasted babies! ------ I put the "sexy" in Dyslexia. April 7, 1970, 9:10PM |
AcId_iN_eDeN |
"whine about religion and other things"
The whoel point of articles is for peopel to talk about what is on there mind "moron" April 7, 1970, 9:10PM |
AcId_iN_eDeN |
 nope they can not.
Whispers: "teehee im definatley getting my articales published now". only joking April 7, 1970, 9:10PM |
 R |
Amazing kind lady, just amazing. I'm glad someone's delivering the facts to the people. April 7, 1970, 9:10PM |
Saturnalia Article Editor |
Ass kissing will only get you so far, AcId.
Anywho, getting back on topic, if these fucking Christ Crispies that are against Stem Cell Research had their way, we would never be able to masturbate because that would somehow be killing the potential to create a baby. My personal view is that anything before 28 days after conception is fair game (it would take more time than I have to explain my theory on this, chemical reactions in the embryo, etc.). I meant what I said about the aborted babies. That's a complete waste of cells and someone should be doing something about it. ------ "Why is it that, as a culture, we are more comfortable seeing two men holding guns than holding hands?" ~Ernest Gaines April 7, 1970, 9:10PM |
Tezrian |
the day i find jesus and stop wearing black is the day you get struck down by 5 bolts of blue lightning, you should be commenting about the article and stating your own opinion on it, not the way others choose to dress ------ I am the solitary Panther April 7, 1970, 9:10PM |
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