I have 2 questions about embryos/embryonic stem cells?
I have a big debate coming up in my English class this week. I got to pick my topic and i chose stem cell research (unfortunately, however, i didn't get to pick what side of the argument I'm on, and as a result am forced to argue that embryonic stem cell research should be made illegal). I have 2 important questions that will help me fine-tune my points in the debate. 1) At what point (time frame, preferably after conception) does the embryo develop a distinct heartbeat? 2) At what point after fertilization do stem cell researchers remove the stem cells from a developing embryo/begin to do experiments on it? Any info would be helpful. Also, if you want to share your opinions/views on stem cell research (and any supporting facts) that would be fantastic.
.2013-05-19T18:54:10Z
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Good luck...
I believe the heart starts beating around week 5
The stem cells are taken around day 5
The thing about this debate is that most people believe embryonic stem cells are coming from abortions. They arent. They come from ivf clinics, and the embryos used are going to be incinerated anyways, as they are already marked as biowaste and going to be destroyed anyways. The research was born out of the trash pile ivf creates.
People are also confused with the time frame they should expect treatments and cures. They believe adult stem cells have only been around for 20-30 years, and wow, look at how many diseases they can treat. But thats not true. Adult stem cell research has been around for over 100 years, and the number of diseases they can treat backs up to a single treatment generalizing to several diseases. A bone marrow transplant, to my knowledge, is the only publicly available stem cell treatment. It took researchers over 50 years to achieve the first succesful bone marrow transplant after discovering the properties of bone marrow cells. Over 50 years from that first bone marrow transplant, they do know it will treat many more diseases than originially thought, but they still cant do it without fatal doses of chemo and radiation, the patient will experience life long side effects and be at higher risk for other cancers, including the same ones the transplant is used to treat, and over 2/3s of the people who need it cant get one because they cant use their own stem cells and do not have a matched donor. People talk about using your own stem cells so there is no chance of rejection. But most people who need this transplant CANT use their own stem cells. Beyond that, there IS still a chance of rejection, and yes, the patient is still on immuno suppression meds even if they use their own stem cells. Perhaps with other applications, but not with the bone marrow transplant.
All that being said, and considering that embryonic stem cells are more complex, you simply would not expect treatments from embryonic stem cells yet.
I also support it because I think its immoral to just throw those embryos in the trash.
But, to debate the anti side, you will have to debate the morality of killing embryos period. To me, that is a difficult argument, especially when banning embryonic stem cell research wont change whether or not these embryos die.