Laws 310 the Legal Environment

Week 6 Assignment

LAWS-310-ON-B, The Legal Environment

NAME

Devry University

June 10, 2012

Week 6: Stem Cell Legislation Project

Stem cells have been a controversial topic for decades. So what are stem cells? Stem cells are special cells with two very unique features. First, they are featureless; they are unspecialized cells that can divide and renew themselves even after long periods of inactivity. Second, they can be manipulated to become cells with specialized functions. This has important implications for the future of medicine.

Stem cell research and development has the potential to advance our understanding of the human body and save lives:

Some of the most serious medical conditions, such as cancer and birth defects, are due to abnormal cell division and differentiation. A more complete understanding of the genetic and molecular controls of these processes may yield information about how such diseases arise and suggest new strategies for therapy (Stem Cell Information, 2009).

In addition to a better understanding of birth defects and cancer prevention, stem cells can be used to test potential new drugs. Cancer cell lines are already used to test potential anti-tumor drugs, according to Federal Policy, 2010.

Perhaps the most important implication for the use of stem cells comes from “the possibility of a renewable source of replacement cells and tissues to treat diseases including Alzheimer's diseases, spinal cord injury, stroke, burns, heart disease, diabetes, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis (Stem Cell Information, 2009). These are just a few examples of the potential ailments that can be cured with the ability to regenerate specialized cells within the body.

So if stem cells are a wonder cure, why are they a controversial topic? For some, the very existence of stem cells is an offense. In the past, the United States not focused on whether the existence of stem cells is right or wrong, but on the source of the genetic...