Embryonic Stem Cell Research Alternative Intr

 
 
 
 
ALTERNATIVES TO EMBRYONIC STEM CELL RESEARCH

Landza, Thomas, Thomson, Pederson and Gearhart (2005: 3-22) report that embryonic stem cells consist of stem cells obtained by fusing a patient's cell with an enucleated egg cell, thereby forming an embryo. This embryo is then allowed to grow for about five days until it is the size of about 150 cells. Cells are then extracted from the inner mass cells which destroys the embryo.

At this point the stem cells are cultured and will grow and divide indefinitely creating a stem cell line of offspring sharing its genetic characteristics. Embryonic cells are pluripotent which is to say that they are able to differentiate into many cell type; they have almost unlimited regenerative capacity and can potentially generate any body tissue (Landza, Thomas, Thomson, Pederson and Gearhart, 2005: 3).

There have been many claims about the almost miraculous sounding benefits that will occur as a result of embryonic stem cell research. For example, Weissman (2005: 1359-1366) suggests that the regenerate properties of these cells will eradicate all forms of cancer and leukemia. Further, The Stem Cell Research Foundation (2005: 1-2) promises that this research will revolutionize medicine with dramatic cures for cancer, Parkinson's, diabetes, kidney disease, multiple sclerosis, macular degeneration and a host of other diseases. Moreover, the Stem Cell Foundation reports that embryonic stems cells will one day be used to repair ca


     
 
 
 
    

 

Related Essays

Stem Cell Research In August 2001, United Stat .... is an alternative to the use of embryonic cells, it .... for research which implicitly threatens ethics in research. .... "Stem Cell Policies in the United States and in .... (920 4 )

Stem Cell Research In August 2001, United Stat .... is an alternative to the use of embryonic cells, it .... for research which implicitly threatens ethics in research. .... "Stem Cell Policies in the United States and in .... (917 4 )

Therapeutic Cloning and Breast Implants: New Tehnologies Change .... When new tissues are cloned from embryonic stem cells and injected into an individual .... If new research regarding fat stem cell scaffolding evolves in .... (3977 16 )

Human Genome Project & RNA .... that occur during development, such as stem cell maintenance, cell .... WHAT HAPPENS during human embryonic development: a single fertilized cell progresses to .... (7187 29 )

The Role of Genes The Role Of Genes Every organism, inclu .... control plays a significant role in embryonic development and .... and with a technique known as stem cell rescue, and .... Techniques in Cell and Molecular Biology. .... (5190 21 )



fat, and other sources. George reports that these alternative therapies have already been shown to help people suffering from a wide variety of diseases and in many cases have produced actual cures. Lopez (2005: 1-3) points out that George and heartily endorses the continued exploration of alternatives to embryonic stem cell research. He is said to be especially interested in epigenetically reprogramming ordinary body cells to the pluripotent state. According to George (Lopez, 2005:1), this reprogramming would cause modifications that would produce the pluripotent state associated with embryonic stem cells but would not produce the embryonic state itself. This would allow scientists to obtain precisely the type of stem cells desired by advocates of embryonic stem-cell research; however, there would be no need to create or kill embryos. More details on alternatives to embryonic stem cell research are provided by a report prepared by The President's Council on Bioethics (May, 2005: 1-15) in which they discuss four approaches to deriving pluripotent stem cells that do not involve the use of embryos. These approaches involve: (1) extracting cells from embryos already dead; (2) extracting cells via non-harmful biopsy of living em

Category: Medical - E
 
 
 
Common Topics
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Click Here to Get Instant Access to over 32,000 Professionally Written Papers!!!
 
 
 
Join Now  
 
 
 
 
 
Saved Papers  
 
 
Save your essays here so you can locate them quickly!
 
 
 
Testimonials  
 
"Thank you for making such a high quality site! Your papers are the best I have seen around"
Debbie B.
 
"Your site was very helpful and gave me the details I needed in order to complete my essay!!!"
Mike F.
 
"This site is an excellent vehicle for quick referrences. Thanks a bunch!"
Carla T.
 
"Great site, I got a lot of new ideas I would have never thought of before."
Nate A.
 
"I love this site!!!"
Marie H.
 
 
 
 
Copyright © 2007 - 2012 Lots of Essays. All Rights Reserved. DMCA