Stem Cell Research

Stem cells are the fundamental building blocks for all the body's tissues. These stem cells have the ability to develop into a brain, and muscle cells, but also into the cells of other organs as well. There are two different kinds of stem cells: adult stem cells and embryonic stem cells. Embryonic stem cells are like "starter cells" that can become a variety of other types of cells. Adult stem cells, on the other hand, usually develop into the same kind of tissue that they reside in.Adult stem cells are committed to generating specific tissue types. Scientist believe that because embryonic stem cells develop into other types of cells, they might be used in the near future to treat a range of injuries and diseases, like cancer. President Barak Obama and President George W. Bush have different views on the use of embryonic stem cells for research.

President George W. Bush argues against using embryonic stem cells for research. In President Bush's speech, he states "Research on embryonic stem cells raises profound ethical questions, because extracting the stem cell destroys the embryo, and thus destroys its potential for life." President Bush goes on to saying that, as he thought about the issue of using embryonic stem cells for research, he kept coming back to the same two fundamental questions: Are these frozen embryos human life and therefore something precious to be protected? If they're going to be destroyed anyway, shouldn't they be used for a greater good, for research that has the potential to save and improve other lives? President George W. Bush's main reason for arguing against using embryonic stem cells for research is the profound ethical questions it raises to most Americans. The use of stem cells raises ethical questions because extracting the stem cell destroys the embryo, and thus destroys its potential for life.

On March 9, 2009, President Barak Obama lifted the ban on federal funding for promising embryonic stem cell research. President Obama argues for using embryonic stem cells for research because he agrees with the consensus that the majority of Americans have come to as to why we should pursue this research. The consensus states that stem cell research's potential is great and with proper guidelines and strict oversight, the perils can be avoided. President Obama goes on later in his speech and says that, "we will never undertake this research lightly. We will support it only when it is both scientifically worthy and responsibly conducted." Meaning that if stem cells are not being used properly or abused we will not support the research any longer.

President George W. Bush does a better job at convincing the American people. President Bush seems to have done a little more asking questions than President Obama did. Between both Presidents, President Bush talked more to the American people and seemed to know more about the stem cell research.