There are two kinds of stem cells: one is an embryonic stem cell and the other is an adult stem cell. What are human embryonic stem cells and how are they obtained? The embryonic stem cells "utilize the cells derived from a single-celled human being like the egg, the sperm, and the zygote." Stem Cells are cells located in the inner mass of the human embryo. "The blastocyst is the stage of developm

The disadvantages of stem cells focus on arguments based on: pro-choice and pro-life or determining when exactly the embryo becomes a living being. Anti-abortion and ethic groups oppose such research because it results in human embryos being destroyed. The Coalition of Americans for Research Ethics argues the case that "the destruction of human embryonic life is unnecessary for medical progress, as alternative methods of obtaining human stem cells and of repairing and regenerating human tissue exist and continue to be developed."(http://www.stemcellresearch.org). Stem cells are also opposed by religious based groups, including the Pope who told President Bush that the work was evil, immoral and unnecessary, because obtaining the cells involves destroying the early stage of human embryos.

ent at which the embryo's inner cell mass forms. The trophoblast is removed from the embryo, the inner cell mass is secluded and, using a micropipette, embryonic stem cells are extracted from the inner mass. The stem cells obtained from the inner mass are then placed in culture and frozen in liquid nitrogen, which undergo studying, for the use of being transplanted in tissues to help fight incurable diseases"(http://www.e-stem-cell.com). When stem cells are obtained from living human embryos, the harvesting of such cells necessitates destruction of embryos.

Stem cell research also stirs up a political debate. The debate involves the Conservatives and how they are split on stem cell research: some support stem cell and some do not. Bush is in a very tough spot politically. On the one hand, you have conservatives in his party who believe using human embryos for research is immoral and that funding those studies with taxpayer dollars is unacceptable. Three House leaders and Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott are pressuring Bush by urging him to block federal funding of embryonic research, saying the White House should instead focus on adult stem cell studies. On the other hand, because of the studies potential to find cures for diseases such as diabetes, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, Bush is being urged to allow federal funding for the research by such anti-abortion political figures such as Nancy Reagan, and Senators, Orrin Hatch, Gordon Smith. President Bush's decision on stem cells is a compromise between the people who oppose and the people who are for it.

We need to help those that still have a chance to walk or to cure Parkinson's or brain defects. Citizens, celebrities and organizations have spoken out asking for support from the government. Now is the time for the government to seize the chance to help our nations' people.

For instance, William Miller, a citizen of Leesburg, Florida, sent a letter to President Bush and Congress showing the advantages of funding toward stem cell and what the possibilities are to people that have incurable illnesses. Miller, who suffers from a spinal cord injury, stated that "a YES vote offers real hope of ameliorating and even curing millions of ill and injured. A NO vote would be as devastating to our hope as the afflictions are to our bodies."(http://www.petitiononline.com/US4cures/petition.html). He concluded his letter with saying "the bottom line is that with appropriate support, many diseases and conditions can and will be ameliorated and possibly cured in due time. Man

Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 2250
Approximate Pages = 9 (250 words per page double spaced)