So I've been working on a policy proposal paper for one of my courses, and I have finished the first section and thought I would share with you fine folks. It is a bit of a read, but it is a fascinating topic to be sure. To begin, what exactly does embryonic stem cell research entail? [spoiler] My policy proposal is the repeal the section of the 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Act which bans federal funding for embryonic stem cell research in which the embryo is destroyed, discarded, or knowingly subjected to risk of injury or death. Embryonic stem cells are collected from the inner mass of a blastocyst, which for humans occur 3 to 5 days post fertilization and consist of 50 to 150 cells. These stem cells are pluripotent, which means they can become any of the cells in our body. This unique property of embryonic stem cells, as opposed to the more limited and difficult to obtain adult stem cells, has the possibility to achieve breakthroughs in stem cell based therapies and biomedical research. [/spoiler] So now that we have a basic knowledge of what embryonic stem cells are, what is the purpose of pursuing this topic? [spoiler] Because of the nature of embryonic stem cells, they could have the ability to remedy a multitude of currently incurable diseases and injuries, such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and other neurological disorders, diabetes, organ damage, and spinal cord injuries. In the future stem cells could even be used to grow entirely new organs to be implanted in patients who require them. They also provide an opportunity for biomedical research. Observing how stem cells specialize into specific bodily cells could provide a better understanding of early human development and how tissues are maintained throughout life. Additionally, they can be used to study the effects of diseases, develop new drugs, and test drugs for harmful side effects, which would eliminate the need to expose people to possibly damaging experimental drugs. While the application of embryonic stem cells remain predominately experimental, they have been used to repair damaged cells from a heart attack victim and to repair vision in a patient who was legally blind.[/spoiler] Though the possible benefits of stem cell research are awe-inspiring, the topic goes hand-in-hand with controversy and issue rhetoric. [spoiler] The difficult aspect of my proposal is to convince an audience that the benefits of stem cell research outweigh the costs. Most forms of embryonic stem cell research destroy the blastocyst when the inner stem cells are harvested, negating the ability for continued development and eventual creation of a new life. This, unsurprisingly, leads to heavy resistance, both morally and ethically, to the subject of government funded stem cell research. Admittedly, it challenges my own ethical standard as well because it is removing the possibility of the blastocyst to become a developed human being. My challenge is to convince my audience of the benefits the research could provide for people who are already alive today. Blastocysts do not have a nervous system, brain, or any of the traits that make us a sentient, human being. The issue boils down to two choices; either support embryonic stem cell research and accept the destruction of the blastocyst, or oppose the research and forgo the previously stated benefits the research could provide. [/spoiler] While I have my own reservations, it is my ethical belief that preventing avoidable suffering and premature death is an obligation, and one that may only be able to be achieved through researching stem cells. The mastery of stem cells has the ability to change humanity forever, and that is why I propose that federal funding of embryonic stem cell research should be reinstated. Thank you to those who took the time to read. This is a subject that has intrigued me for years and I can only hope that it is a subject that is increasingly explored in the years to come. Let me know what you think. Do you support or oppose the research? Thoughts?