Leung 1

Chad Leung
Mr. Burchett
Government 5
23 October 2015
Stem Cell Medicine: The Next Generation of Disease Elimination
For our entire history on earth, the human race has always suffered from many types of
diseases and most have succumbed to it, if not meeting an unexpected end. According to the
World Health Organization, noncommunicable diseases were responsible for 68% of all deaths
globally in 2012, and communicable, maternal, neonatal and nutrition conditions collectively
were responsible for 23% of global deaths. However, a recent discovery currently undergoing
further development can exterminate a large portion of all existing diseases, from minor bone
injuries and skin replacement to cancers, Parkinsons, and Alzheimers. This advancement in
medicine has the ability to save millions of lives, and satisfy everyone. However, this research
does have a heavy price, and is restricted due to people who think the cost of this medicine is not
worth its great benefits. However, this medicine has been getting results, and is beginning to be
integrated into our shots, pills, and other forms of treatment. The Stem Cell Research Act to
Conserve Health (SCRATCH) of 2015 can be one leap in the evolution of medicine that could
save countless lives and end worldwide natural threats to humans and even animals, if it provides
additional funding to the research organizations working on this project. The benefits of curing
sickness, disabilities, and economy will come out of furthering experimentation of stem cell
capabilities and also furthering analysis on its effects and side effects.
The greatest reward from stem cell researchs upgrade is the enhancement of human
health and lifetimes. Everyone can agree that cancers, heart diseases, and organ problems cause

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the most amount of deaths in the world. However, with stem cell treatment, these diseases can
be subdued, if not eliminated. Stem cells are undifferentiated cells of a multicellular organism
that are capable of generating more cells of the same type. Scientists use stem cells to treat
diseases by introducing them into the body to replenish cells and repair organs and tissue
(Rebecca). This regenerative property is the key in this potential medicine. If stem cells can
create tissues or organs, then they can replace the defective organs and tissues of a patient. The
cancer in an organ can be removed from the body and grown stem cell tissues and organs
substitute for the lost parts. Tissue substitution can remove potential threats, like cancers, celldegrading diseases, tumors, and more. Stem cells can also be generated to become immune
system cells or cells that take the duties of other cells. Unlike tissue-specific (adult) stem cells,
embryonic stem cells have the potential to generate every cell type found in the body (Stem Cell
Facts). Just as importantly, these cells can, under the right conditions, be grown and expanded
indefinitely in this unspecialized or undifferentiated state. For example, arthritis is mostly
caused by protective cartilage in joints degrading and leaving little protection between the joints
bending. Stem cells can be generated to provide cartilage to the joints. Alzheimer's disease kills
brain cells, and causes memory loss, behavior changes, and social ineptness. Stem cells can be
converted into brain cells and possibly cure Alzheimers. Stem cells can be applied to any
disease involving replacement of cells, tissues, or organs, or the delivery of medicine. These
functions are not found in any other medicine, and this medicine provides at the very least an
effective treatment for diseases, and even injuries or disorders as well.
According to Census.gov, almost one in every five people in America have a disability
due to old age, disease, or other effects on the body (Newsroom Archive). Stem cells can
eliminate these problems, and make people do what they couldnt do before, whether it has not

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been in years or ever in their lifetime. Stem cells can be used to connect nerves in the spinal
cord or adjust the structure of the spine for patients to walk straighter or even give the ability to
walk again. Blind people can have missing parts of the eyes replaced, or maybe a generation of a
new eye. Injuries can be mended by stem cells as well. Burn victims can have their skin
replaced by new cells. Victims of crippling accidents can have nerves replaced to feel again.
Embryotic stem cells are the earliest stage of all later cell lineages, therefore offering a research
platform for studying how the subsequent development of tissues arise and for fashioning
treatments to cure or prevent disease, says John Robertson of the University of Texas. This
research does not only provide health benefits, but can also provide benefits in wealth as well.
Stem cell research requires some development, and that development does need money,
and a pretty large amount of it. The National Institute of Health reports their spending to be 1.18
to 1.40 billion dollars in research per year for the past 5 years. Once this research is suitable for
human use, the United States can make money off of this medicine and get themselves out of
some debt. Currently, there are thousands of treatments being offered involving stem cell
therapy, from drugs to shots and more. Average treatment costs around $10,000 in American
clinics, plus insurance fees and deductible. Others have invested in the research already.
California passed Proposition 71 in 2004 to sell $3 billion of general obligation funds to provide
money to stem cell research. Many more states in the US, along with private medical companies
have followed in funding for this research, in hopes of getting more in return. The NIH invests
nearly $30.1 billion annually in medical research for the American people. More than 80% of
the NIH's funding is awarded through almost 50,000 competitive grants to more than 300,000
researchers at more than 2,500 universities, medical schools, and other research institutions in
every state and around the world (Budget). The stocks and bonds bought for stem cell research

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can be a money source for those who have invested in them, once it is complete. However, while
we put in more money to subsidize the research, there is something more that needs to be
contributed, something pricier than money itself.
Even though stem cell research has so many benefits to the well-being of people, it does
pay a heavy price. Additionally to the equipment and research materials costing over one billion
dollars per year, the specimen for this research is very young embryotic cells, all from human
beings. The beginning cells of life are found in the earliest stages of embryo development. The
extraction of the cells kills the embryo, and this sacrifice is what fuels the impedance of research.
They see destruction of embryos, like abortion of fetuses, as murder as a sacrifice of the
weakest among us for the interests of others. (Robertson). The embryos may be killed due to
requirements, but how do these embryos come to be sacrificed by these murdering
scientists? Every embryo is donated by mothers or given to the organization by people who do
not want them; no fetuses are cloned or taken away from expectant mothers by any organization
for research. This matter is related to abortion, which is currently legal according to the Supreme
Court ruling Roe v. Wade in 1973. The matter of abortion must again be debated before an
argument can be presented on stem cell researchs ethical legitmacy. Another problem with stem
cell research is the very likely possibility of body rejection of the implanted cells. The immune
system can reject the foreign cells and the body will undergo problems involving attempts to
eliminate these implants, and the disease being treated has nothing to stop it because the immune
cells target these foreign implants rather than the threatening adversities in the body (Hay). This
can cause a major rejection of the medicine that was supposed to cure the problem, not make it
worse. To ensure this does not happen, the research should be funded and furthered so it will be

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effective, not defective. The problems of stem cell research may be a great cost, but its rewards
are much greater.
Stem cells are the next step in the medical future, with the ability to cure many of our
difficulties with natural lethality. It has already been accepted by most of the other countries of
the United Nations. The United Nations have created facilities and are being funded to make a
breakthrough in modern medicine. Stem cells are the next Penicillin; a revolution that will save
millions and will be expanded on to find new innovations. These tiny cells can mend a great part
of our losses, suffering, and sorrow. Stem cells will generate not only our skin, bones, and
organs, but also extra fuel for the candle of our existence. For a longer life, if not immortality, for
an equal chance physically, if not equality socially, and for an elongated time to love, gladden,
and feel, if not an eternity to do so, we are obligated to fund not an effort for medicine, but an
effort for life, so that our children, and our childrens children, and the next generations can live
a longer and fulfilling life.

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Works Cited
Books:
Dudley, William. Genetic Engineering: Opposing Viewpoints. San Diego, CA: Greenhaven,
1990. Print.
Hay, William W. Current Pediatric Diagnosis & Treatment. 11th ed. East Norwalk: Appleton &
Lange, 1993. Print. Current.
Websites:
"Budget | National Institutes of Health (NIH)." What We Do. U.S. National Library of Medicine,
n.d. Web. 01 Nov. 2015.
<http://www.nih.gov/about-nih/what-we-do/budget>.
"Department of Defense." The White House. The White House, n.d. Web. 01 Nov. 2015.
<https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/factsheet_department_defense/>.
"Estimates of Funding for Various Research, Condition, and Disease Categories." Funding.
Research Portfolio Online Reporting Tools, 5 Feb. 2015. Web. 1 Nov. 2015.
<http://report.nih.gov/categorical_spending.aspx>.
Lehrman, Sally. "IPS Stem Cells: New Ethical Quandaries." IPS Stem Cells: New Ethical
Quandaries. Santa Clara University, Nov. 2010. Web. 01 Nov. 2015.
<http://www.scu.edu/ethics/practicing/focusareas/medical/IPS-stem-cells.html>.
Murugan, Varnee. "Embryonic Stem Cell Research: A Decade of Debate from Bush to Obama."
The Yale Journal of Biology and Medicine. YJBM, n.d. Web. 01 Nov. 2015.
<http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2744932/>.

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"Myths and Misconceptions About Stem Cell Research." California's Stem Cell Agency. N.p.,
n.d. Web. 01 Nov. 2015. <https://www.cirm.ca.gov/patients/myths-and-misconceptionsabout-stem-cell-research>.
Nelson, Lawrence J. "A Brief Case for the Moral Permissibility of Stem Cell Research." A Brief
Case for the Moral Permissibility of Stem Cell Research. Santa Clara University, n.d.
Web. 01 Nov. 2015.
<http://www.scu.edu/ethics/publications/ethicalperspectives/stem-cell-research.html>.
"Newsroom Archive." Nearly 1 in 5 People Have a Disability in the U.S., Census Bureau
Reports. United States Census Bureau, n.d. Web. 01 Nov. 2015.
<https://www.census.gov/newsroom/releases/archives/miscellaneous/cb12-134.html>.
Rebecca. "Defining a Life: The Ethical Questions of Embryonic Stem Cell Research (Revised)."
Almost Human. N.p., 19 Apr. 2013. Web. 01 Nov. 2015.
<https://my.vanderbilt.edu/almosthuman/2013/04/defining-a-life-the-ethical-questionsof-embryonic-stem-cell-research/>.
Siegel, Andrew. "Ethics of Stem Cell Research." Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Stanford
University, 25 Apr. 2008. Web. 31 Oct. 2015.
<http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/stem-cells/>. Revised on January 28, 2015
"Stem Cell Basics." What Are the Potential Uses of Human Stem Cells and the Obstacles That
Must Be Overcome before These Potential Uses Will Be Realized? [Stem Cell
Information]. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, n.d. Web. 01 Nov. 2015.
<http://stemcells.nih.gov/info/basics/pages/basics6.aspx>.

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"Stem Cell Concepts." Philosophy of Stem Cell Biology (2013): n. pag. International Society for
Stem Cell Research. Web. 1 Nov. 2015.
<http://cri.utsw.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/ISSCR_Stem_Cell_Facts.pdf>.
"The Stem Cell Debate: Is It Over?" The Stem Cell Debate: Is It Over? University of Utah, n.d.
Web. 01 Nov. 2015. <http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/stemcells/scissues/>.
Journal Articles:
Fletcher, David B., Ph.D. "The Stem Cell Controversy." (2001): n. pag. Print.
Robertson, John A. "Review: Stem Cell Research: New Frontiers in Science and Ethics." The
Quarterly Review of Biology 38.2 (2005): 191-203. Print.