Mari Caffarel
Professor Men
English 101
10 December 2012
Stem Cell Miracles Stem cell research has been a controversial topic for many years now; specifically in the United States. This research includes the study of how different types of stem cells can be placed next to other cells so they can divide and make new cells like the one it is placed by. There are three different types of stem cells: embryonic stem cells, adult stem cells, and induced pluripotent stem cells. Embryonic stem cells come from embryos that develop from in vitro fertilized eggs. They are not from eggs fertilized in the woman’s body, but in a lab or an in vitro clinic. Following are adult stem cells are found in adults in organs that often have to repair themselves such as bone marrow and peripheral blood. Similarly, induced pluripotent stem cells are regular adult cells that can be taken from almost anywhere and put into an “embryonic stem cell–like state” that allow normal cells to divide and make new cells (In Stem Cell Information). I believe that with careful regulation stem cell research would be extremely beneficial to have researched in the United States because it could find cures to several diseases and grow new organs, thus advancing our medical technology. There are no boundaries as to how far stem cell research could go. Just the studies alone could give scientists a better understanding of how abnormal cell division and differentiation occur and cause medical conditions such as cancer and birth defects. With better understanding, maybe these medical conditions can be stopped before they reach a critical condition. In addition to studies helping us have a better understanding about cells, stem cell research could be used to test new drugs. For example, if a scientist were to change stem cell into a cancer cell and test drugs on it he could find out what sort