Matt's Blog

Outline

 

I. Introduction

            A. American laws regarding stem cell research.

                        i. strictly prohibit (Bush)

                        ii. 2009 laws loosen (Obama)

            B. What is a stem cell?

                        i. derived from embryo

                        ii. Embryo will be killed in process

                        iii. Removed cells from blastocyst

C. Are Americans being ethical or just being scientifically deprived by rejecting stem cell research?

            i. S.Korea has already cloned animals

            ii. Other nations ahead of United States

II. Ethical problems associated with stem-cell research.

            A. Involves Killing embryo

                        i. Some deem it as murder

                        ii. Devalues human life

            B. Bush’s opinion

                        i. believes it is evil

                        ii. Experiments with human life

                        iii. Wants to focus on other things

            C. Stem cells are still experimental

                        i. No side effects are known yet

                        ii. Causes tumors in early trials on people

                        iii. No one knows long term effects

III. Problems that could occur in the future with stem cell research.

            A. Cloning

                        i. One can use stem cell research to clone

                        ii. Biological diversity would decrease

            B. Eugenics

                        i. The idea of the person human may surface

                        ii. Genocide could occur

                        iii. Discrimination

            C. Black market practice

                        i. Once knowledge is common human stem cells could be cold

                        ii. International underground cell exchange

IV. Pro-stem cell research

            A. Can help regenerate cells

                        i. Red blood cell regeneration is confirmed, help with blood donations

                        ii. Can help burn victims

                        iii. Organs can be grown to be used for transplants

            B. Genetic Research

                        i. Genetic gaps could be filled

                        ii. Provides unlimited amount of DNA

                        iii. Will help aid in cures for genetic diseases

            C. Drug Research

                        i. tissue can be tested on

                        ii. side effects will not affect humans

                        iii. Speed up drug trial process

            D. Heart Studies

                        i. American Heart Association approves

                        ii.Will help with number 1 killer in America

                        iii. Hearts can be grown, used for transplants

V. Counter-argument for the Cons

            A. Cloning is distinct from stem cell research

                        i. Two separate pieces of research

                        ii. Cloning can be banned while stem cell research is not.

            B. Future stem cell extraction may not involve killing embryos

                        i. Will get approval from pro-life advocates

                        ii. Can be derived from human skin

            C. Promising medical future

                        i. scientists approve of them cells

                        ii. “Quotes”

            D. US may fall behind is science otherwise

                        i. Crucial for the future

                        ii. we may fall behind because everyone else is surpassing us

                        iii. Need to maintain high status of superpower in science field

VI. Conclusion

I've decided to write about stem-cell reseach. I'm going to weigh the pros and cons of it, and determine which side has a better case.

First blog post! Woo!