The human body has more than 200 different types of cells. Embryonic stem cells- a cluster of cells derive all these types of cells. These exceptional cells originate from blastocyst inner cell mass that is a young embryo about five or four years old (Holland et all, 2001). These cells are pluripotent making them unique. Thus, it is easy to characterize these cells differently into any o f the germ layers existing in the body of humans like mesoderm, ectoderm, and endoderm. The endoderm comprises of lungs, intestines, and stomach. The mesoderm is mostly the bone, muscle, and blood. This leaves ectoderm with nervous system and the skin. These cells can repair any human body part, making the embryonic stem cells special. Another element of these cells is that they are able, in any circumstances, to replicate themselves for an indefinite period. The fact these cells can produce themselves in unlimited numbers, and have characteristics of becoming any types of 220 cells, it easy to use in medicine for medical research and regenerative therapy (Holland et all, 2001). Damaged or lost tissues due to injury or disease are easy to for replacement or repair by new tissues developed from administered embryonic cells. Once there is administration of stem ce…
… middle of paper …
…ress cannot make laws respecting a religious establishment or prohibiting its freedom. This means that religious values and religion must remain separate from government and politics. Debate on embryonic stem cell research is a classical example why the constitution has this concept. Politicians need to honor the constitution and make logical conclusions to fund the research making sure many citizens get quality treatment. The arguments in the paper clearly show that the pros are stronger than the cons. The pros utilize scientific approach and evidence whereas the cons think of ethical and religious issues. United States continue to lag behind other nations in the field of medicine yet there is a lot of potential.
Works Cited
Holland, S
The Benefits of Responsible Human Cloning
The Benefits of Responsible Human Cloning
On an unremarkable afternoon in July of 1996, in an unremarkable shed in Scotland, a lamb was born. This lamb was to spark a controversy that would be one of the defining arguments of this era. This lamb, simply named “Dolly” (after Dolly Parton in reference to the mammary cell used as the donor), was the first clone to be born using specialized cells from an adult mammal.
The fact that the lamb was cloned from these specialized cells – such as muscle cells, liver cells, or mammary cells – is what made this discovery of such importance. Before this, scientists had thought that these cells had lost their ability to grow into a new embryo. They had already cloned embryos, but this revelation meant that a clone could be produced from an adult subject.
At first, one would think that little benefit could be derived from such a discovery, beyond the novelty of being able to make an exact copy of one’s self, but scientists soon theorized many benefits that could result from such a procedure. A more hom ogeneous control group for use in science experiments involving animals would be an obvious example. A completely similar group of animals is extremely difficult if not impossible to accomplish without the use of cloning. The current research being conducted on aging would benefit greatly from this application of cloning.
The medical field could also be helped by cloning. Cells from a cloned embryo could be used to treat such illnesses as Parkinson’s Disease and muscular dystrophy. Also, entire organs could be grown to replace failing ones, thus entirely eliminating t he long wait for a matching donor. This would also eliminate the harvesting of organs from the prisoners…
… middle of paper …
…fin, Dr. Harry. “Cloning and Genetic Modification: A Brief History of Nuclear Transfer.” Roslin Institute Online. Online. 11 Dec. 1997.
Herbert, Wray, Jeffery L. Sheler, and Traci Watson. “The World After Cloning: A Reader’s Guide to What Dolly Hath Wrought.” U.S. News and World Report 10 Mar. 1997: 59-63.
Kolata, Gina. Clone: The Road to Dolley and the Path Ahead. New York, William Morrow and Company, Inc., 1998.
Macklin, Ruth. “Human Cloning? Don’t Just Say No.” U.S. News and World Report 10 Mar. 1997: 64.
Mario, Christopher. “A Spark of Science, a Storm of Contoversy.” U.S. 1 Newspaper 5 Mar. 1998. PrincetonInfo.com. Online. 9 Mar. 1998.
“Papal Panel Condemns Cloning, Warns of Genetic Research Dangers.” Fox News. Online. 3 Mar. 1998.
Shapiro, Harold T. “Ethical and Policy Issues of Human Cloning.” Email to the author. 10 March 1998.