Kids around the world, with anywhere from diabetes to spinal cord injuries, can be healed completely in the future with more research. Research of what, you may ask? Stem cells, the amazing little cells that have the chance to cure so many illnesses and diseases. Despite this, these amazing micro-organisms are being hated and banned throughout America.

First of all, stem cells are cells that come from the embryo, a simple little fact that can cause so much hatred. Although some religions may consider it wrong and that it would be murder, they are not thinking of how many lives stem cells can save. Stem cells are pluripoint, meaning they have many powers. They can turn into over 200 different tissues throughout the human body! Stem cells are turned into other tissues by scientists coaxing the cells, making them think they are one type of cell. We do have adult stem cells, which are not from the embryo, but they have close to no benefits. Essentially, if you were going to use adult stem cells you would want your own. This is because it matches your DNA and your own cells wont attack it, and because there are close to no side effects if you use your own. Another reason why research on embryonic stem cells should be further investigated is because the further we research, the more benefits that we might be able to find in the future for adult stem cells. This diminishes the controversy because taking stem cells from adults cannot be considered murder. We have also used vitro fertilization to create stem cells. Vitro fertilization are embryos created inside a lab and then implanted into a woman.

Truly, the aspect of stem cells is remarkable. They have so many benefits and successes already and are increasing yearly. Scientists have found that the bone marrow from adults is full of stem cells. We have started bone marrow transplants to help people who have been in Chemo-therapy, which reduces bone marrow permanently. Even after death we can still do these transplants to help many people who have had, or still have, cancer. We have also come close to being able to help kids with leukemia. Scientists have found that with further research we might be able to cure the aftermath of the Chemo-therapy. In addition to those, we have found that we can come close to curing tuberculosis. A man was diagnosed with tuberculosis and bronchitis; he couldn’t walk without losing his breath. The doctors took a donated lung and cleansed it with stem cells, and now the man can walk easily up and down his stairs. Some people may argue that this was wrong since the stem cells had come from an embryo. This man would have died from the disease if it was not for the stem cells, and the remaining stem cells have many more lives that are ready to be saved. The embryo has not even begun the first stage of growth; it is just a group of life saving cells. So, if people want to argue that we are not allowed to save lives with simple micro-organisms, then they are arguing that people from any age that have cancer, should die rather than put to use such an efficient cell. Although, I can understand if in your religion it states something that contradicts with the research and use of stem cells, but if it doesn’t affect you, let someone be healed by these cells. To add on to how useful the cell is, it is one of the only things that we know about that can cure spinal cord injuries. Spinal cords do not regenerate naturally making this a big deal. The stem cells do not cure spinal injuries 100%, but they have done much more than anything that we have ever seen. These are just some of the many benefits of stem cells, showing how much good a few cells can do.

With the benefits of stem cells in mind, let us talk about the future. In the not-too-distant future, stem cells will most likely have astounding benefits (more so than right now). Scientist believe that with further research into embryonic stem cells, we might be able to regrow full organs, or tissue missing in organs. Also, they believe that stem cells have the potential to cure all damaged tissue throughout the body, including damaged tissue in the brain. This will help many people with damaged brain tissue that used to be incurable. This potential for stem cells includes their ability to regrow memory tissue in the brain. This will majorly help in curing Alzheimer’s. We have many hopes in stem cells for the future, but without research now we cannot fulfill any of these. All those people in the United Kingdom that have cirrhosis or will get cirrhosis will not ever be able to get cured, and will suffer from the liver disease. For now we only have transplants for them, and many still die. In order for anyone to be healed presently, or in the future, society needs to change its opinion on stem cell research.

Currently, stem cells are legal in certain parts of the United States. This all started when George Bush passed stem cell research in 2001. This is why states today vary on if it is legal, how much money goes into research, and so on. The laws in foreign countries are very different though. Many of these countries have research and the use of stem cells is fully legal. America however, is not trying to legalize it nationally because of the controversy. Many people think that this is madness not take an opportunity to heal so many people. The government could say it’s because of finances, which is an exceptional excuse. That is, considering that stem cell research takes very expensive equipment. But the government had already given 3 billion dollars to California for research, what’s a little more? If we put aside our opinions, we can stop crime rates of illegal stem cell transplants and save many people.

To sum up, stem cells have so many benefits today and in the future. The thought that we should not do research on the intricate little organisms is absurd; so many people can be saved from deadly illnesses and damaged tissue. The research we do now can save lives in the future, so everyone needs to put aside their opinions and let the research evolve into something great.