Stem Cell Research Funding
The history of stem cell research funding can be traced to the early1990s when medical breakthroughs brought the issue to the forefront.Biopharmaceutical companies such as Geron began developing andcommercializing eugenics and therapeutic regenerative therapy, which causedstem cell research became a reality. During this time, these companies The National Institute of Health is the leading biomedical researchcorporation in the United States. Funds from the National Institute ofHealth are utilized for stem cell research and are also used to "explorethe enormous promise of these unique cells, including their potential toproduce breakthrough therapies and cures" (NIH). The ability to usegovernment funding on stem cell research has increased the chances forfinding cures for many debilitating diseases. In August 2001, President Bush announced that Federal funds could be
Atthe very least, funding should continue under Bush's plan. Thepresident is aware of the ethical debate involved and believes that hisplan does not cross "moral lines" (White House) or encourage "furtherdestruction of human embryos that have at least the potential for life"(White House). Despite this reaction from the White House, there areapproximately 60 different stem cell lines that have been developed fromembryos that meet the president's criteria. Press Secretary Scott McClellan has beenquoted to say that the White House policy " remains the same" AssociatedPress). As a result of thisaction, the National Institute of Health created the Human Embryonic StemCell Registry to provide what stem cell lines can be used for stem cellresearch. However, we can also determine that more funds, as well as anexpanded area of research would benefit research tremendously. Research has resulted in "thedevelopment of a variety of therapeutic treatments for diseases" (WhiteHouse). The president has also announced that the NIH willestablish a "Human Embryonic Stem Cell Registry," which will keep a recordof all stem cells researched. With furtherresearch and funding, the possibilities are limitless and should be seen asbeacons of hope. (NIH) The president believes that funding can be used when"the life and death decision has already been made" (White House). In conclusion, funding for stem cell research should continue because ofthe hope it provides for thousands of individuals that suffer fromParkinson's, Alzheimer's and Lou Gehrig's disease, as well as those whosuffer from spinal cord injury, diabetes, and heart disease. The meaning of human life is a delicate issue and is obviously at the heartof this debate. (NIH) The president remains steadfast in his convictions, even since the deathof former president Ronal Reagan. The administration also notes that, "Although embryonic stem cellresearch has not yet produced similar results, many scientists believeembryonic stem cell research holds promise over time because of thecapacity of embryonic stem cells to develop into any tissue in the humanbody" (White House).
Common topics in this essay:
White House,
Lou Gehrig's,
Institute Health,
Cell Registry,
,
stem cell,
President Bush,
stem cell research,
cell research,
white house,
embryonic stem,
stem cells,
embryonic stem cell,
Press Despite,
National Institute,
Scott McClellan,
national institute health,
national institute,
research funding,
institute health,
Human Embryonic,
funding stem,
white house president,
cell registry,
stem cell registry,
|
Acceptance Essays
