Stem Cell Research 13

Abstract
Stem Cell Research is a controversial issue that revolves around the question of when human life actually begins. Social, political, ethical and religious groups from all around the world view the answer to this question in multiple ways. This leaves the individual governments with the choice of whether to extend government funds to the research and in determining what regulations need to be enforced in an area that could potentially save millions of lives. As with the difference of opinions that are reflected in the many groups around the world, so too are the governments’ stances on this important issue.
 
One of the biggest political debates of recent times is whether the government should not only allow, but set aside funds for the research of stem cells. A variety of opinions upon this matter has arisen from social, political, ethical and religious groups around the world. It is left up to the countries and sometimes even the individual states to pass regulations that support their stance on this issue. For the United States, President Obama’s decision to reverse the executive order set in place by Former President George W. Bush has hopefully opened up the necessary doors to allow research to continue in this potentially promising medical field.
To understand the importance of stem cells, we must first know what they are. Stem cells are the foundation cells of every organ, tissue and cell in the human body. Stem cells commonly come from two main sources: Embryos formed during the blastocyst phase of embryological development and from adult tissue.   During the early embryonic stage of human development, embryonic stem cells can be extracted from the embryos. At this stage, the stem cells are considered master cells and are able to develop into almost any cell in the human body. Adult stem cells can be found in adult tissue and organs like the brain, bone marrow, blood, blood vessels, skeletal muscles, skin, and liver. However, these stem cells...