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Essay / Why Stem Cell Research Should Be Supported by the U.S. Government
“Stem cell research holds enormous promise for alleviating human suffering, and federal support is essential to its success” - Tom Harkin. Stem cells come from adult body tissues and embryos, but they can also come from bone marrow, peripheral stem cells, and umbilical cord blood. Scientists are currently working to create stem cells from other cells using genetic techniques. Stem cell research can help understand the development of diseases and conditions by observing the maturation of cells into tissues, muscles, bones and other organs. The United States government should support stem cell research because it is able to regulate research, create treatments, and use fetal and adult stem cells. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay The government changes policies and regulations to keep up with research and reflect the views of political parties. An online article explains how "In the United States, laws prohibit the creation of embryos for research purposes." Instead of creating embryos, donors can consent to fertility clinics releasing them for research. Nearly 1.7 million embryos are discarded in fertility clinics each year, while only around 5,900 are set aside for research. Discarded embryos could be used for research purposes, but this is considered unethical because there is no consent. This shows that the government uses the people's input in research and regulates what can be used with permission. This reflects the views of not only citizens, but also political parties, which are taken into account when deciding on research content. There is a certain extent to which research can go before it is unethical, but the rules help maintain change through laws and those in charge. Presidents of past and possibly future generations may change regulations over the years as research and policy opinions evolve. An example of this presidential regulation is in 2001, when President George W. Bush limited federal funding for human embryonic stem cell research. This regulation was made because a human embryo was destroyed during the procedure. It was thought at the time that it was unethical for the federal government to fund and finance the destruction of embryos. Years later, an online article explains how, in 2009, President Barack Obama lifted 2001 restrictions on federal funding of human embryonic stem cell research. This shows that over the years political views have changed and regulations have changed with those views. It also shows that if a research becomes too radical, the government can stop it or keep it ethical. Currently, there is no documented harm in stem cell research other than the destruction of embryos. With this research evolving each year, possible treatments and cures can be found for many diseases. In stem cell research, there are many possibilities for treatments and cures, the more it continues, the more scientists discover. The National Institutes of Health explains how scientists are trying to..