Speech Communication > The Controversial Issue of Stem Cell Research

I.

A. Stem cell research will improve the quality of our lives.

B. Limited federal funding on stem cell research delays finding cure for many deadly diseases.

C. President Bush should reconsider his policy regarding stem cell research. In 2001, he made his decision after months of debate that he will give limited federal funding for stem cell research; so limited indeed, that little, if nothing can be done with it.

President Bush found this issue so important that he addressed the nation on Television on August 2001 regarding his decision on stem cell research. He sees the great possibilities that this research offers, but also thinks that the more he knows about it; the less certain he is about the right moral and ethical conclusions.

D. I will tell you

• how scientists derive these stem cells,

• the importance of stem cell research,

• and why it is a controversial issue.

II.

1. Scientists derive stem cells from two sources.

1. Adult stem cells are undifferentiated cells that can be found among differentiated cells in a tissue or organ. Their numbers is very low compared to other cells.

   1. Two kinds of stem cells can be found in bone marrow, what has been used for transplants for over 30 years.

   2. Adult brain also contains stem cells that are able to renew themselves.

   3. Skeletal muscle

   4. Skin.

   5. Liver.

2. Embryonic stem cells, which are derived from unused embryos. These embryos are created through in vitro fertilization and donated by the donors for research purposes.

   1. The embryos are 4-5 days old when stem cells are derived from them

   2. Stem cells are unspecialized cells, which have the capability to give rise to any specialized cell types.

   3. Stem cells, unlike other specialized cells, are capable of dividing and replicating themselves for many months in laboratories.

   4. Stem cells can later develop into unspecialized cells upon physical contact by neighboring cells.

B We can’t underestimate the importance of stem cell research.

1. Studies of embryonic stem cells may yield information about the events that occur during human development.

a. Scientists can identify how these undifferentiated cells in the embryo become differentiated

b. Understanding the genetic and molecular controls of cell differentiation may yield information about how serious medical conditions arise.

c. Scientists however don’t really understand what turns on and off specific genes that influence the differentiation of cells.

2. The most important potential application of human stem cells is the generation of cells and tissues that can be used for cell-based therapies.

a. Stem cells offer the possibility to of a renewable source of replacement cells and tissues to treat Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease.

b. It may be possible to generate healthy heart muscles in a laboratory and transplant these cells into patients with heart disease.

c. It may also be possible to direct the differentiation of stem cells to form insulin-producing cells that can be used in transplantation therapy for diabetes.

d. Spinal cord injury, stroke, burns, heart disease, diabetes, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis are just a few diseases that could be cured in the future if stem cell researches can be continued.

C Stem cell research is a very controversial issue in today’s politics.

1. What is the American government’s policy regarding stem cell research?

a. President Bush only allows federal funding for researches on already existing stem cell lines. There are only sixty of them, but they offer great promises.

b. Human cloning is illegal, but some members of congress want to ban therapeutic cloning altogether.

c. President Bush says that the destruction of human embryos for the sake of science is unjustifiable.

d. The House of Representatives recently passed a bill that would ban all forms of cloning.

2. Why is cloning such a highly debated moral issue?

a. Embryonic stem cells are derived from “surplus” embryos.

b. Even though these embryos are 4-5 days old, the church, and many other people think these are already humans, because personhood begins at conception.

c. Others think that if the idea of cloning embryos for research is accepted, it will lead us further to the cloning of people to create “perfect” babies.

d. Some say it’s a violation of bio ethics: we can’t create life so that it may be killed.

e. Pope John Paul II thinks stem cell research is the same condemnable act as euthanasia or abortion.

III

1. I think that the policy of the US government is against stem cell research, but I also think that this country should take the lead in this extremely significant research.

2. I explained to you what stem cell is all about, how it can help scientists to develop cure for deadly diseases, and identified moral issues regarding these researches.

3. Science and ethics have confronted many times throughout history, and they probably will in the future as well. I also think that the improvement of the quality of our lives is what most important. Stem cells represent hope for millions around the world who suffer in deadly diseases. Just imagine you have a family member with any of the above mentioned illnesses, and one day they could be cured. Would you not want them to be healthy and happy again?

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