Dear President Obama,

My name is Lauren Pejza and I am a senior at Miramonte High School. I am emailing

you to gain support for federal funding towards embryonic stem cell research. The study of stem
cells can produce a more complete understanding of different diseases and gene mutations,
such as cancer and birth defects, and may yield new strategies for therapy. Stem cells can also
be used to test new drugs to see their effects on differentiated and undifferentiated cells. For
example, pluripotent cancer cell lines are used to screen anti-tumor drugs. Cell-based therapies
can also be achieved through human stem cell research. Through the process of programming
undifferentiated cells to differentiate, Alzheimers diseases, spinal cord injury, stroke, burns,
heart disease, diabetes, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis can potentially be treated.
Undifferentiated stem cells can be directed to differentiate into a specific cell type in
order to be used to replace ailing or destroyed tissues. The potential is greater in embryonic
stem cells because all of their cells are pluripotent, or undifferentiated cells. Although both have
advantages and should be researched, adult stem cells have less potential because they are
harder to isolate and are thought to be limited to differentiating into different cell types. Many
people, especially those who are pro-life, argue against embryonic stem cell research because
they believe it is a form of abortion. This argument does raise questions regarding when life
actually begins. For the purpose of collecting the most stem cells, the pluripotent cells would be
taken from the embryo before the cells begin to differentiate into organs, such as the liver,
lungs, and heart. Because no organs have been formed, the embryo is not alive or formed at all
into a living being.
If stem cell research was federally funded, the government could establish specific
regulations on how scientists go about the research and guidelines on how money should be
spent. This would allow the government to enforce ethical research practices and monitor the
collection and use of embryos. The prospect of government supervision should appeal to prolife people because the government could implement rules on how old the embryos can be,

ensure that the embryos arent sold for profit, and secure all embryos through consent from in
vitro fertilization clinics. With private funding, these practices are harder to monitor, so federal
funding would allow for more supervision. Additionally, federal funding could streamline the laws
regarding embryonic stem cell research. Laws regarding this research are extremely complex
because there are state and federal laws, so the legal aspect of this would be less confusing.
Overall, federal funding of embryonic stem cell research is necessary for advancement
scientific findings that could yield new treatments and therapies, thus benefitting the world. Stem
cells hold the key to unlocking better health and prosperity for every person in the world. I
request that you help me gain more support for federal funding of embryonic stem cell research
and increase the funding given for stem cell research as a whole.

Thank you,
Lauren Pejza
lauren.pejza16@auhsdschools.org