Interested in Stem Cell Research?

I Am.
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What are stem cells?

What are stem cells?

Stem cells are unspecialized cells

What are stem cells?

Stem cells are unspecialized cells Stem cells can differentiate and become another type of cell with a specialized function

What are stem cells?

Stem cells are unspecialized cells Stem cells can differentiate and become another type of cell with a specialized function Stem cells replenish without limit

What are stem cells?

Stem cells are unspecialized cells Stem cells can differentiate and become another type of cell with a specialized function Stem cells replenish without limit Stem cells act as a repair system to the body

What are stem cells?

Stem cells are unspecialized cells Stem cells can differentiate and become another type of cell with a specialized function Stem cells replenish without limit Stem cells act as a repair system to the body Stem cells are being researched because they have the unique ability to replace damaged cells with healthy cells

What are stem cells?

Stem cells are unspecialized cells Stem cells can differentiate and become another type of cell with a specialized function Stem cells replenish without limit Stem cells act as a repair system to the body Stem cells are being researched because they have the unique ability to replace damaged cells with healthy cells Scientists believe research will result in treatments and cures for diseases.

From the National Institutes of Health

http://stemcells.nih.gov/staticresources/info/media/DSC_1185.jpg

Where do stem cells come from?

HOW A BLASTOCYST IS CREATED:

EGG

SPERM

FERTILIZATION

ZYGOTE

BLASTULA .

What happens to a blastocyst?

Note: Relating to our discussion, NONE of this occurs inside a woman. Stem cell research only uses embryos created during in vitro fertilization.
Ideally, blastocysts are used by infertile couples to achieve healthy pregnancies.

EGG

FERTILIZATION
SPERM

ZYGOTE

BLASTULA

Extra Blastocysts can be used for stem cell research. Extra Blastocysts unwanted by couples are frozen Extra Blastocysts can be thrown away.

The Moral Dilemma

What is the moral dilemma surrounding stem cell research?

Misinformation deserves Clarification.

What is the moral dilemma surrounding stem cell research?

The Moral Dilemma

Misinformation deserves Clarification

Stem cell research is linked to abortion. FALSE

Embryonic stem cell research uses embryos that were created through in vitro fertilization, are no longer wanted, and would otherwise be discarded. TRUE.

What is the moral dilemma surrounding stem cell research?

The Moral Dilemma

Misinformation deserves Clarification

Stem cell research uses SCNT which will lead to human cloning. FALSE The purpose of SCNT is to obtain stem cells that genetically match a donor so diseasespecific stem cell lines can be studied to better understand the disease. Strict control of stem cell research will is extremely manageable through careful legislation. TRUE.

What is the moral dilemma surrounding stem cell research?

The Moral Dilemma

Misinformation deserves Clarification

Extra frozen blastocysts would be used by other infertile couples if they werent used for stem cell research. FALSE Very few frozen blastocysts are adopted by other couples, leaving thousands of extra frozen blastocysts that can be thrown away, or used for stem cell research.

What is the moral dilemma surrounding stem cell research?

The Moral Dilemma

Misinformation deserves Clarification

Stem cell research only creates life to destroy it. FALSE Stem cell research uses already existing blastocysts from in vitro fertilization that would otherwise be wasted. People often mistake their objections with in vitro fertilization for an objection to stem cell research. TRUE.

Regardless of what you think the moral status of those embryos is, it makes more sense to me that its a better moral decision to use them to help people that just throw them out.
James Thomson

What is the decision to be made?

Opponents of stem cell research think using already existing frozen blastocysts should NOT be used for research. They believe that it is more morally correct to throw the frozen blastocysts away than use them for research. They believe research on frozen blastocysts is destruction of life and shouldnt be done. Opponents goal is to protect frozen blastocysts.

What is the decision to be made?

Proponents of stem cell research think that using frozen blastocysts for potentially life-saving research is pro-life, and believe that already existing blastocysts would be wasted thrown in the trash when they could be better used for research. Proponents goal is to protect the millions of Americans with various diseases.

What is the decision to be made?

My entire political career, I voted pro-life, and that is exactly why I favor the stem cell initiative. I believe in saving human life. I want cures to be found.
- john Danforth, an ordained Episcopal priest and former Republican United States Senator from Missouri.

Where is our government on this issue?

The current presidential administration has curtailed efforts by placing restrictive bans on embryonic stem cell research, which has severely hampered research efforts. In 2005 and 2006 with The US Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2005 the US Congress tried to expand the number of stem cell lines eligible for federal funding. This initiative passed in both the House and Senate, but was vetoed by President Bush. In 2006 President Bush decided that only research on stem cell lines that were in existence on August 9, 2001 could receive federal funding. Both 2008 Presidential candidates support embryonic stem cell research.

Who is interested in stem cell research?

One million children with Juvenile Diabetes 58 million people with heart disease 10 million people with osteoporosis 30,000 victims of Lou Gehrigs Disease 4 million suffering from Alzheimers disease 43 million arthritis sufferers 250,000 people paralyzed by spinal cord injuries 500,000 with Parkinsons disease 8.2 million people with cancer
When someone is diagnosed with a chronic situation, they arent offered a cure, they are offered hopeand that hope lies in stem cell research.
-Laura Merritt, founder of the I Am organization.

Moving Forward
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There are many obstacles to be overcome between the promise of stem cell research and the discovery of cures. Only further, aggressive, and intensive research will turn the hopes of 125 million Americans into a reality.

Interested in Stem Cell Research?

Interested in Stem Cell Research?

I Am.

Interested in Stem Cell Research?

I Am.
UNITE. SUPPORT. PROGRESS.