Stem Cell Research

The Good, The Bad & The Ugly

What is a STEM CELL?

• A cell from a human that can become ANY cell in the body

• Sources:• Cord Blood• Adult sources• Aborted Fetuses

• Aborted are the most desirable (work the best)

Obvious Promise:• Cure Diseases

• Diabetes• Parkinson's• Certain Blindnesses• Fractures• Tissue transplants• Heart attack damage• Heart disease• Leukemia• Radiation Poisoning (infection)

• These are being cured NOW!!!

Other potential cures:

• Multiple Sclerosis• Lou Gehrig’s• Huntington’s Disease• Nerve Damage

• Hypoxia (lack of air)• Severed / paralysis

• Stroke

With all this promise, why the question?

• Obvious reasons that involve the embryo• Rights• Life?• Unwilling donor?• Method can be considered human

cloning• Example:

Pros & Cons