The recent death of Ronald Regan from Alzheimer's disease has generated an explosion in the field of stem cell research. Scientists wonder if stem cells implanted in Regan's brain could have helped improve the status of his Alzheimer's or even cure it. Stem cell research was brought to attention in 1998 by University of Wisconsin-Madison developmental biologist James Thompson and has received much criticism. According to The American Association for the Advancement of Science and Institute for Civil Society, a stem cell is defined as "a cell with the capability to reproduce itself and to produce distinct differentiated tissue" (33). Stem cells come from three primary sources: embryonic stem cells, embryonic germ cells, and adult stem cells—the source of where stem cells have brought most of the controversy. Stem cells offer a wide variety of potential uses to further the technology of the medical field. Stem cell research is vital because it provides cures to many diseases, relief for victims of traumatic injuries, and many other medical and scientific benefits.
             In the face of extraordinary advances in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of human diseases, devastating illnesses such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and diseases of the nervous system, such as Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease, continue to deprive people of health, independence and well being. Currently, 18.2 million people or 6.3 percent of people in the United States have diabetes, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Diabetes is only one of the many diseases treated or cured by stem cell research. Studying stem cells will help us understand how they transform into the dazzling array of specialized cells that make us what we are. Some of the most serious medical conditions, such as cancer and congenital disabilities, are due to problems that occur somewhere in this process. A better understanding ...