1. Stem Cell Research Ruth Phillips Current Events Period 5

2. What are stem cells? Cells can develop into any cell They can be renewed through cell division for long periods of time Cell division can help renew other types of cells Embryonic stem cells Adult stem cells

3. History of Stem Cell Research 1900’s scientists figured out that most cells originally come from a stem cell 1963 Canadian researchers documented that stem cells were able to self renew 1998 James Thomson grew stem cells in a laboratory March 9, 2009 Obama’s executive order removes the restrictions on stem cell research

4. Argument Should Stem Cell research be used in order to help people in need?

5. Pros and Cons (Embryonic Stem Cell Research) An embryo is not a human being Give someone their life back Move scientific research forward An embryo is a human being This type of research isn’t needed

6. Pros and Cons (Adult Stem Cell Research) Why not? Heal people Help people rebuild their lives Taken from the body without causing harm Embryos aren’t harmed or disposed of They are less effective than embryonic stem cells Holding scientific research back

8. Effects of This Issue World: This could help people all over the world rebuild their lives. United States: The U.S. could really set the standard for the rest of the world when it comes to this topic. Stem Cells could help people in the U.S. rebuild their lives. Me: If I ever am in a situation where I need certain cells then I could or could not be given stem cells to get better.

9. My Opinion I believe that we should research adult stem cells and find out how they can be used to heal people. I am against the research of embryonic stem cells because I believe that an embryo is a person and that a person should never be harmed.

11. Questions to think about What do you think about Obama’s lift on the restriction of stem cell research? Why is it necessary to use human embryos for research when adult stem cells have the same power to heal?

12. Works Cited Denver Post. 13 Apr. 2009. Denver Post. 29 Apr. 2009. Non-embryonic stem cell breakthroughs have gone unnoticed. 2004. BNET. 2 May 2009. Singer, Peter. "Research Using Human Embryos Is Morally Acceptable." At Issue: The Ethics of Abortion. Ed. Jennifer A. Hurley. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 2001. Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. Gale. Arapahoe High School. 29 Apr. 2009. Stem Cell Information. The National Institutes of Health. 29 Apr. 2009. Stem Cell Research History. Stem Cell Foundation. 4 May 2009. Time Magazine 12 Aug. 2001. Time Magazine. 29 Apr. 2009. 3 C.F.R. 1 (2009).  This is Obama’s executive order.