ISSUE: What should the government do about funding for embryonic stem cell research: increase, decrease, cut or keep at current levels?

BACKGROUND INFORMATION: a. What are stem cells and where do they come from? Include diagrams with your explanation. Stem cells = cells that can change into other kinds of body cells, e.g. nerve cells, muscle cells, blood cells, liver cells, etc. – Pluripotent = can develop into any other kind of cell – Multipotent = can develop into small # of cell types.

5 day old human embryo

How big is a blastocyst?

BACKGROUND INFORMATION: a. What are stem cells and where do they come from? Include diagrams with your explanation. Embryonic stem cells come from embryos that are 3-5 days old. 1000’s of frozen embryos are discarded each year by fertility clinics after parents decide they won’t have any more children. Adult stem cells come from various tissues in adults: brain, bone marrow, fat, skin, lungs, umbilical cord.

Background Information b. How are adult stem cells different from embryonic stem cells? Until recently, researchers believed adult stem cells would only change into same kind of cells as tissue taken from (multipotent). Recent studies show they may be as flexible as embryonic (pluripotent) studies in Japan and US showed ability to make brain and heart cells out of stem cells taken from skin.

Background Information c. Why are stem cells important to medical researchers? May be used to treat/cure a variety of diseases including diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s, spinal cord injuries, heart disease, stroke, or any condition in which healthy cells can replace damaged/abnormal ones.

Background Information d. How does the government currently restrict use of stem cells for research? How much money was spent last year on embryonic and adult stem cell research? Restrictions: Research allowed only on frozen embryos from fertility clinics. Must have consent of donors, no money paid. Must be otherwise intended for disposal. 2012: $124 million spent on embryonic stem cell research, $396 million on adult. In comparison… $498 million on Alzheimer’s, $712 million on breast cancer, $1.1 billion on diabetes, $1.2 billion on heart disease, $3.1 billion on HIV/AIDS.

2. ARGUMENTS FOR: What are the strongest/most common arguments from those in favor of increasing funding for research? 1.Research may lead to cures for diseases that cause death or suffering in millions of adults every year. 2.Research limited to embryos that are going to be discarded anyway. Stopping research won’t save embryos’ lives day old embryo not “person,” taking its life not murder. “Persons” can’t be frozen and defrosted. 4.Most studies show that stem cells from other sources – adult tissues, umbilical cord, fetal tissue – don’t have as much flexibility as embryonic stem cells. 5.Adult stem cells harder to isolate, not as easy to cultivate into other types of cells. 6.Finding cures could save millions of $ in medical costs and add jobs to troubled economy.

3. ARGUMENTS AGAINST: What are the strongest/most common arguments from those opposed to increasing funding for research? 1.Embryo is a human life, a person. Taking life of embryo is essentially murder. 2.Stem cells can be taken from other sources – adult tissue, umbilical cord tissue, etc. – so don’t need to take it from embryos. 3.Researchers have had more success with adult stem cells than with embryonic. 4.Healing potential of embryonic stem cells has been exaggerated. No successful treatments developed yet. 5.Using adult stem cells taken from patient’s own tissue eliminates risk of rejection. Not so with embryonic. 6.Some studies have shown may be difficult to control growth of embryonic stem cells; may form tumors. 7.US is $16 trillion in debt; need to look at how to decrease spending, not increase.

3. POSITION: What do you think the government should do about funding for embryonic stem cell research? Increase, decrease, cut, or keep at current levels? State your position clearly, give reasons. Be sure to address arguments from those on opposing side. Minimum: 2 paragraphs HW: Due tomorrow!

“Is this a reliable website?” 3 things to look for…. 1.AUTHORSHIP – Who’s the author of the article? Who’s sponsor for the web site? – Universities, government agencies, well known scientific organizations generally reliable. So are mainstream media such as Seattle Times, Time magazine, CNN, National Geographic, Discovery Channel, PBS, BBC. All are fact checked for reliability. 2.AUTHORITY – What makes the author an expert on the subject? What are his/her credentials? 3.OBJECTIVITY – Is the author biased toward one side of the argument? How can you tell? – Does the author base arguments more on facts or opinions? – Does the website use insulting language when referring to people on the other side of the argument? If so, it’s probably not reliable.

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