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Stem cell research: All viewpoints.

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About stem cells:

Stem cells are a form of human life: they are alive and contain human DNA. They have a unique feature in that they can be coaxed into developing into some or all of the 220 cell types found in the human body. Of the three types of stem cells, embryonic stem cells have the greatest potential in that they can theoretically become any of the 220 cell types. Adult stem cells are less useful in that they have already started to specialize and can only become one of a few cell types. Induced pluripotent stem cells are specially treated cells that can be processed to behave somewhat like embryonic stem cells.

Opposition to stem cell research is mainly coming from religious and social conservatives who are also pro-life. Most of them believe that a pre-embryo from which embryonic stem cells are removed is a human person, and that the process of extracting the cells murders that person. Others disagree.

Topics covered in this section:

	Overview: What is at stake? Types of stem cells. Does stem cell research kill human life? Quotations. Comparing embryonic, adult and Induced pluripotent stem cells. Unethical reporting.
	Background information (Please read these first): More quotations. What are stem cells? Existing surplus embryos More information on adult, induced pluripotent and embryonic stem cells
	Types of stem cells: Do adult stem cells have potential? Amniotic stem cells discovered Methods developed to create Induced Pluripotent Stem (iPS) Cells
	Experimental treatments using embryonic and adult stem cells
	Ethical and legal implications: About extracting new stem cells from embryos Research performed on descendents of stem cells The problem of surplus embryos in fertility clinics In opposing stem cell research, are pro-life leaders ignoring the real problems? Methods of obtaining embryonic stem cells with fewer ethical concerns
	Political activity: Political concerns President Bush's restriction of research in 2001 & President Obama's 2009 reversal California stem cell research law, 2002-SEP Missouri amendment, 2006-NOV
	Recent news: 1998 to 2001-JUNE 2001-JULY to 2001-AUG. 2001-SEPT to 2002-DEC. 2003 and 2004 2005 and 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
	Additional information: Becoming politically active; links to other information sources

Copyright © 1998 to 2010 by Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance
Latest update: 2010-SEP-28
Author: B.A. Robinson

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