Stem cell research has the potential to affect me in a couple of various ways.  The number one reason that I am interested in stem cell research is way that it could cure medical issues of my own.  I had a bad heart valve that has been replaced with bovine tissues (cow tissue).  These tissues only from 10 to 15 years.  With this being said, I will have to get it replaced every every time it is no longer effective.  Advancements in stem cell research could lead to replacing this valve only once and it would last forever.  Another way stem cell research could affect me lies in my career path.  I am currently a premed biology major hoping to positively impact the lives of others through medicine.  By choosing this career path, I have not only committed myself to becoming an expert in biological sciences, but also to the betterment of the well-being of society.  Therefore, I will have to completely understand how stem cells work.  Also, I will have to decide whether or not stem cell research is for the betterment of the well-being of society.  


"Stem Cell Basics" is an article produced by the U.S Department of Health and Human Services on stem cells.  Its format has eight easily accessible sections in which it breaks down the basics of stem cells.  The beginning of the article starts off slow with a simple definition of a stem cell and then it slowly transitions into much more complex parts of the stem cell.  It is concluded with a very brief explanation of the pros and cons of using stem cell research in modern medicine. 

The U.S Department of Health and Human Services wrote and produced this article.  In this article there is little to no bias to be found.  The U.S Department of Health and Human Services produced this article only to inform the general public of the possibilities of this research and what is at stake by supporting it.  Also, this department is extremely qualified to write in this field.  They have a plethora of doctors and scientists that study these exact topics.  They also manage over 300 programs that support the betterment health and well-being.  

There is not much at stake for this article considering that it is an informative article only.  The interests that are invested in the article are to allow the general public access to this extremely debatable issue.  They want to do this because the government wants to hear what the people have to say about it so they can attempt to provide for the majority of the United States.  


 President Obama's speech on his stem cell executive order is him first presenting the idea of enabling the advancement of stem cell research within the U.S.  Then he moves into the benefits that will come with advancements in stem cell research.  In the conclusion of this speech is where Obama really sells his argument.  He gives a specific example of a case in which a man who can not walk would be able to walk again after the restrictions of this research are lifted.  

The values at stake in this article are enormous.  President Obama is declaring that he wants the U.S to support stem cell research.  By saying this he could offend a huge population in America who believes that stem cell research goes against their ethical beliefs.  These same people could begin to question even their political views if they supported him, but did not support stem cell research.

The author of the speech, as already mentioned, is President Barak Obama.  Although he is no scientist, he still has a great amount of credibility to speak on the stem cell research issue.  Considering that he the president, he is loaded with advisors and highly educated scientist to inform him of all the aspects of stem cells.  


In this article Michael White is attempting to inform the general public of the new scientific progresses made in stem cell research.  The recent advancements include being able to use non-embryonic stem cells, but still be able to do the same medical work.  It lies in the simple fact that all cells start with the same material, which means that scientist can reprogram cells to do whatever is needed.  If these studies advance in an ideal direction, then the debate over stem cell research could end soon.  No more embryos would have to be compromised to save lives.

The interests of this article are in the idea that this new research has the potential to end the entire debate over stem cell research.  The only problem with this is that new restrictions could be put on stem cell research.  If new restrictions are to come about then that would inhibit the progression of this research that could end the entire debate.  

The author of this is named Michael White.  The name does not ring a bell for most, but he has received a doctorates degree in biochemistry and biophysics.  Not only has he been highly educated in these fields, he is also a professor at the Washington School of Medicine in St. Louis.  

The debate over stem cell research has been going on since the mid 1900s.  Scientist realized that we could grow multiple cells from one cell taken from an animal.  They then begin to realize that these cells could be used to fix diseases and defective tissues.  Finally, the scientist discovered that they could take embryonic cells and grow them into any tissue that they would like.  This is where the research becomes debatable.  People had to question themselves on the ethics of taking an embryo to save the lives of others.  Is it even ethical to give up an embryo that you created for medical purposes? Where does a "life" begin?
