Stem Cell Research
What is stem cell research?
First, you must understand what a stem cell is. A stem cell is an immature cell that has the potential to become specialized as many different types of cells in the body. Stem cells can be derived from an embryo, infant, child, or adult. Stem cell research is the actual process of taking the stem cells and entering them in another person's body to help them with whatever problem they have. Embryonic vs. adult
Embryonic cells are found in fertilized cells that have begun to divide. Embryonic stem cells can help a myriad of diseases, as they are in a different state than adult stem cells. Therefore, they are usually much more useful to researchers. Adult stem cells are actually not only found in adults, but also in infants and children. These cells are from already developed tissue. However, adult stem cell research is limited because it is difficult to grow them in laboratory conditions. |
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Save an embryo who has not been through life yet, or save a person who has lived for years already and could do even greater things in life by being saved?
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"You cannot be against embryonic stem cell research and be intellectually and therefore morally consistent, if you're not also against in vitro fertilization."
-Ron Reagan |