Thursday, November 27, 2008

What's New(s) In Science - Stem Cell Research

For my What's New(s) in Science presentation I chose the topic of stem cell research. I used two different articles for two different aspects of my presentation. One article talked about stem cell research in general and the basic information about it. It discussed the 5 most important topics related to stem cell research. The article discussed where stem cells come from and the importance of them. Stem cells come from embryos that come from labs. These embryos are used as research in labs, but if they cannot be used for some they are simply thrown away. Instead of throwing them away, scientists could use them to turn them into one of any of the 200 cells in our body, therefore being able to use that specific cell to cure a number of diseases.
The second article was related to President Obama and his plans for stem cell research. Currently, it is illegal to use embryos for stem cell research because of the laws President Bush put into effect. He felt it went against the church to use these embryos for research. It is however legal to just throw these embryos away. Obama said, “We owe it to the American public to explore the potential of stem cells”.
I felt this topic was important because it relates to everyone, everywhere in the world. Whether you are someone who is currently diagnosed with a deadly disease that could possibly be cured using stem cell research or if you are someone who knows someone that could possibly be cured either way stem cell research is going to benefit you. It also relates to what we have been discussing in class, the difference between science and religion and their constant battle. It is important to not let religion get in the way of such scientific advances but it is impossible to prove who is right and who is wrong.

The first article I found was from Science Daily and the second source was from USA Today


Hall, Mimi. "Opponents Brace for End of Stem Cell Ban." 17 Nov. 2008. USA Today. 18 Nov. 2008
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University of Michigan Health System. "Five Basic Things To Know About Stem Cell Research." ScienceDaily 14
October 2008. 18 November 2008 .

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