Embryonic Stem Cells =
Immortality?
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Medical benefits are almost unlimited
Cell replacement therapies
Design better medications
and produce organs, limbs
Human achievement
Thesis
• We should increase funding for and
remove restrictions on embryonic stem cell
research.
Experience
• Learned about stem cells
and cell development
through courses including
• Genetics
• Cell Biology
• Neurobiology
• and Developmental Biology
• Pursuing career in
medicine/medical research.
• Do you have diabetes or a family history of
cancer or heart disease?
• Do you have family or
friends who are sick?
• Do you engage in
behavior that has long
term negative
consequences?
• This encompasses
almost everybody
How would it work?
• Using stem cells one could replace
dysfunctional or dead cells.
• e.g. Heart attack
• e.g. Diabetes
• Drug development
• Regrow organs, limbs
It could cure
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25 million Americans w/ heart disease
21 million Americans w/ diabetes
10.8 million Americans w/ cancer
Countless other people suffering from more than
70 other diseases and injuries.
Seems so obvious…
Current funding is insufficient
• ONLY $40 million
• California’s attempt
• If we had underfunded NASA
Restrictions on ES research
• In 2001 President Bush restricted ES
research to 80 lines.
• Only 20 of the lines are useful.
• All lines may be contaminated.
• This current research may fail
Consequences of Bush’s
restrictions
• Dr. Irv Weissman says that
these restrictions have
severely affected research.
• Director of NIH Elias A.
Zerhouni agreed that research
is being hindered
• According to Martin Rees, US
laws have global implications
Embryonic stem cells show
promise for cures
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SHORT TERM
Skin grafts
Blood producing factories
And drug testing
LONG TERM
Cures for numerous diseases
New organs
And new limbs
What will it take?
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National priority
In 1961 Kennedy issued a challenge
We have the money…
275 million a day in Iraq
Where do you think the money should go?
The more we invest, the faster the benefits
could be realized
Conclusion
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People are dying every day
If you had a terminal illness
Lobby your government representatives.
I challenge you to make a difference
Help make the promise of embryonic stem
cell research a reality.
Questions?
Bibliography
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Nicholas Wade, New York Times Staff Writer, May 9, 2003.
“Clinics hold more embryos than had been thought,” (Viewed Feb. 20, 2008)
http://eebweb.arizona.edu/courses/ecol223/Clinics%20Hold%20More%20Embryos%20Than%20Had%20Been%2
0Thought%20-%20New%20York%20Times.pdf
Bill Frist, Senator, July 13, 2006. “Time to lift federal restrictions on stem cell research,” (Viewed Feb. 20, 2008)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2006/07/13/EDGOBIPUT61.DTL
Ed Bradley, CBS News Reporter. Feb. 26, 2006. “Scientist hopes for stem cell success,” (Viewed Feb 20, 2008)
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/02/23/60minutes/main1341635.shtml#
CDC, Oct. 26, 2005 “Number of Americans with diabetes continues to increase,” (Viewed Feb 20, 2008)
http://www.cdc.gov/od/oc/media/pressrel/fs051026.htm
CDC, December 31, 2007. “Heart Disease,” (Viewed Feb 20, 2008)
http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/heart.htm
American Cancer Society, Cancer Facts & Figures 2008, (Viewed Feb. 20, 2008)
http://www.cancer.org/downloads/STT/2008CAFFfinalsecured.pdf
Cosmos Magazine, July 20, 2006. “Scientists denounce Bush veto of stem-cell research bill,” (Viewed Feb. 20,
2008)
http://www.cosmosmagazine.com/node/433
American Association for Cancer Research, March 20, 2007. “NIH director breaks with Bush policy, wants limits
eased on stem cell research,” (Viewed Feb. 20, 2008)
http://www.aacr.org/home/public--media/public-policy--legislative-affairs/legislative-news.aspx?d=724
NIH, Feb 5, 2008. “Estimates of funding for various research areas,” (Viewed Feb. 20, 2008)
http://www.nih.gov/news/fundingresearchareas.htm