STEM-CELL RESEARCH BY: TROY HILKENS ROBBY LANGTON AND TODD SACHS

Introduction

• A stem cell is an immature cell that has the potential to become specialized into different

types of cells throughout the body.• Stem cells could also be used someday to replace or repair tissue damaged by disease or injury. Stem cell technology has been used

for more than 20 years in bone marrow transplants, where the patient's bone

marrow stem cells are replaced with those from a healthy, matching donor.

Catholic Churches Position

The Catholic Church is against embryonic stem-cell research because it involves the destruction of human

embryos. Pope John Paul II said embryonic stem-cell research is related

to abortion, euthanasia and other attacks on innocent life.

CLASS POLL ARE YOU FOR OR AGAINST STEM CELL RESEARCH?

Pros of Stem-Cell Research

Studies have shown an improvement in cardiac function in adults with acute myocardial infarction.

Recent progress shows that neurons suitable for transplantation can be generated from stem cells in culture, and that the adult brain produces new neurons from its own stem cells in response to injury

Can also be used to cure Parkinson's disease.

Cons of Stem-Cell Research

Some say it infringes on human rights

The embryos require a fetus to be killed or destroyed in order to get

There is a federal ban on Stem-Cell Research

How it is done

They are derived from human embryos—often those from fertility clinics who are left over from assisted reproduction attempts (e.g., in vitro fertilization). When stem cells are obtained from living human embryos, the harvesting of such cells necessitates destruction of the embryos.

Diseases that can be cured by Stem-Cell Research

Diabetes Parkinson'sAlzheimer's

CancerMultiple sclerosis

Lou Gehrig's Disease (ALS)Spinal cord injuries

BlindnessHIV/AIDS.

• Life-saving stem cell treatments are already successful and in widespread use for some

diseases. For example, bone marrow transplants use stem cells to treat leukemia.

• Stem cell research could lead to treatments that save millions of lives and improve the quality-of-life

for millions more.

• Scientists are working on a wide range of stem cell-based therapies. They have created "tissue

patches" for burn victims. They have grown islet cells that produce insulin to treat diabetes and

healthy brain cells to ease the symptoms of disorders like Parkinson's disease. They have

genetically changed cells and then used them to deliver healing or protective agents to injured or

diseased areas of the body.

NOW WHICH SIDE DO YOU CHOOSE?WHY?

Works Cited

• http://circres.ahajournals.org/content/103/11/1204.short• http://www.nature.com/nm/journal/v10/n7s/full/nm1064.html?viewType=Print&viewClass=Print

• http://jama.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=192964• https://cbhd.org/stem-cell-research/overview

• http://www.americansforcures.org/article.php?uid=1000