The United States has the responsibility to lead the world in embryonic stem cell research because it is a powerful technology that could be used in both positive and negative ways. If the U.S. government would approve use of new stem cell research, rather than relying on existing stem cells or adult stem cells, our nation could play a larger role in saving more lives here and around the world. Embryos currently can be made in a test tube by combining an egg with a sperm, with permission from the donors. They can also be collected from a miscarriage or an aborted embryo; however, the United States has prevented use of federal funds for both of these available options, mainly due to differences in religion, perceived ‘right to life’ issues, and certain ethical concerns. We must ask ourselves as a country why we can’t jump back into the scientific race to save many lives. As one of the most powerful countries on the planet, do we not have an obligation to help ourselves and other countries that don’t have our resources, money or power? If using research on live stem cells received federal funding again, the U.S. would have the opportunity to jump ahead because we could produce the processes and technology to cure major diseases to treat things such as blood disorders, bone marrow transplants, leukemia, lymphoma, cancer, birth defects and many more obstacles we could not otherwise overcome.
As previously mentioned, when it comes to live stem cells, there are two options for development of research embryonic cells. The first is to obtain embryonic stem cells from living embryos. To obtain living embryonic stem cells scientists must either grow them in a test tube using a fertilized egg or they can extract them from embryos that have been miscarried or aborted. By scientific definition an embryo is a collection of cells, not a separate living being and cannot become one outside of the womb. To those who believe human life starts at conception, using embryonic cells means destroying the potential for human life. We should ask them to consider that science is the entity that created the embryos and that from the same test tube, vast scientific advancements can be gained from sacrificing only one artificially created embryo to obtain large numbers of cells with which a multitude of existing human lives can be saved. The second option is to use adult stem cells. It is true that adult stem cells do not require the destruction of an embryo and can be used for maintaining and repairing tissue, which makes them useful in transplants and loss of bone marrow. However, adult stem cells are much harder to cultivate and are very limited in the types of cells they can become. Even though adult stem cell research is backed by federal funds, unlike adult stem cells, live embryonic stem cells can become almost any type of cell, and they are more easily cultivated. Last but certainly not least, embryonic stem cells carry the greatest potential for developing future therapies and cures for diseases. Let me make it crystal clear that I am not seeking permission from the government to create embryos for scientific research, but rather to allow researchers to take cells from the embryos that are no longer needed for the implantation process when treating infertility. Instead of discarding these embryos, the government should allow the use of these embryos to further explore the potential they obviously possess. There is no just reason for the U.S. to be throwing away embryos that could be saving lives instead of sitting in the bottom of a scientific garbage can.
On August 9th, 2001, President George W. Bush announced that federal funds may be awarded for research using human embryonic stem cells only if the following criteria are met: 1) the derivation process (which begins with the destruction of the embryo) was initiated prior to 9:00 P.M. EDT on August 9, 2001; 2) the stem cells must have been derived from an embryo that was created for reproductive purposes and was no longer needed; 3) informed consent must have been given for the donation of the embryo and that donation must not have involved financial inducements. (stemcells.nih.gov). This was a monumental step backwards for America in the race for scientific representation, but was seen as a huge advancement for conservative anti-abortionists. Anti-abortion activists and conservatives alike came to an agreement that this action taken by President Bush is as far left as we should go on the issue of stem cell research. If we truly do see ourselves as leaders in this generation of research, we must permit new embryonic stem cell research methods to be implemented and fund the basic science to do so.
History has proven that scientific research may have significant costs for the few, but that the same research can create positive results for the many. As an example, many current vaccinations save millions of lives, but may cause injury or death to a small number. Even President Bush can’t deny the advantages over the disadvantages of vaccinating the masses. As you can now see, in the case for embryonic stem cell research, our government has forced scientists into a corner. They must use adult stem cells or embryonic stem cells already available frozen and reserved from 2001. Scientists that work for private research firms have no limitations as long as their funding is available from private sources. Privatized stem cell research in America is a 150 million dollar a year industry. Think about how much more money and how many more researchers could be utilized if the government was to add funding for this basic science to research institutions and universities. Countries all over the globe are making new discoveries with embryonic stem cells every day with their version of federally backed funds. We should consider what other countries have already begun to do with regard to this research. Great Britain provides a good example of a country that took on the research of embryonic stem cells four years ago and recently expanded that funding to include the creation of a specific stem cell research facility, all at government expense. With government backing the scientific research, they have already begun to make advancements beyond what the U.S. has been able to accomplish under the current regulations. Using cells from 2001 is not going to show new results for the year 2008. What happens when we use up all of the stem cells from 2001? In what way are we making progress if we cannot continuously test embryonic stem cells? Yes, the scientists here in the U.S. are allowed to conduct research on embryonic stem cells in privately funded facilities and thanks to that we still have a chance at gaining some serious ground in embryonic stem cell breakthroughs, but without sufficient funding we will keep falling behind other countries that have government support for embryonic research.
When President Harry Truman decided that is was necessary to drop an atomic bomb, it created serious controversy for the masses. The American government conducted the research necessary for the development of this weapon and was willing to assume the responsibility for the effects of dropping that atomic bomb on Japan in WWII. We dropped the nuclear bomb to end a conventional war and save American lives. Although considered horrific in many people’s eyes, this act did have a positive effect at the time by ending the war in the Pacific and helping defeat the Germans in Europe. In this case, Americans made a very difficult choice in order to play an enormous role in ending the war and saving American lives. In comparison, embryonic stem cell research has already proven its positive worth and will save many more lives with the acceptable destruction of only a few artificially created groups of cells. In my opinion we are ready to assume the responsibility for the power to embrace embryonic stem cell production and research and save lives now. In this day and age we, as Americans, are the leaders in taking lives by conducting two wars at once. With the technology America possesses, we must use our power to save as many lives as we have taken.
A step forward has been made. While President-Elect Barack Obama is gearing up to take control of our country, he immediately made clear after his election that he plans to lift the Bush Executive Order banning funding for the creation of new embryonic stem cells for research purposes. This is the change that not only scientific researchers need, but a change that Americans can be proud of supporting. Once again we should be ready and willing, more than ever, to take this responsibility and make funding available for the expansion of our own capability to change the world , and President Barack Obama is the man who will lead us in that change.
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