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Slide 1: Stem Cell Research 2/15/09
Slide 2: What are stem cells? -They are specialized cells that renew themselves for long periods of time through cell division. -Under certain physiologic or experimental conditions, they can be induced to become cells with special functions. 2/15/09 http://stemcells.nih.gov/ (National Institution of Health) Click to edit Master subtitle style
Slide 3: Where Stem Cells Come From:  Stem cells can come from many different places: such as a 4-5 day old embryo, the placenta, the umbilical cord, and even bone marrow from adults.  It can also be taken from vitro-fertilization, where they create the egg from sperm and an egg donated for research purposes. All stem cells are taken from the laboratory. 2/15/09 Natio nal Institute o f He alth
Slide 4: Where Stem Cells Come Fromare two stages in all of these cells. Stage  There Continued: one is the totipotent stage ( the first 96 hours of a pregnancy) where the cells are capable of becoming all or many of the 210 different kinds of tissues in the human body. Stage two is pluripotent ( a four day old embryo ) where the cells are capable of becoming only half of the tissues or cells in our body. Then they can be taken from an adult that are capable of 2/15/09 Natio nal Institute o f He alth
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Slide 6: What can stem cells be used for?  Studying stem cells will help doctors understand how they transform into specialized cells that make us what we are. Some of the most serious medical conditions, such as cancer and birth defects, are due to problems that occur somewhere in the process of cell division.  Stem cells can be used for making cells and tissues for medical therapies. With a little more understanding they http://stemcells.nih.gov/treat diseases, can help (National Institution of Health) 2/15/09
Slide 7: The History of stem cell research Stem cell research began in 1973 when the decision of the Supreme Court in Roe Vs. Wade legalized abortion. Since 1973 the Supreme Court also decided in the same case 2/15/09 Be st Prac tic e & R se arc h Clinic al Ob ste tric s & Gynae c o lo g y e Vo lum e 1 8 , Issue 6 , De c e m b e r 2 0 0 4
Slide 8: The History of Stem Cell Research Continued  Following the decision to legalize abortion, the US government banned use of federal funds for research of embryos, fetuses, and embryonic or fetus tissue.  Private sectors are however permitted to take part in unregulated research. 2/15/09 Ge ne The rapy (2 0 0 2 )
Slide 9: Pros of Stem Cell Research      Embryonic There are infinite possibilities of curing diseases. Stem cells can be changed into any type of cell within the body. Excess embryos that could be used are being discarded as “medical waste.” There are lower incidence of rejection. Proposal 2 would prohibit buying and selling of embryos. All Other Kinds  Stem cell have already led to many therapies that are now available to treat a range of diseases and disorders.  They are found to have the ability to regenerate all areas of the body, repairing damaged or diseased tissues, and curing degenerative diseases.  Many treatments have already been found to help slow the aging process. The Co ng re ssio nal Q uarte rly R se arc he r De c . 1 9 9 9 e De tro it Fre e Pre ss Oc t. 1 , 2 0 0 8 – Oc t. 3 , 2 0 0 8 2/15/09
Slide 10: Cons of Stem Cell Research Embryonic  The question of whether or not a human life is being lost when the stem cells are being extracted from the embryo.  In this extraction the embryo is destroyed, and many people find this unethical.  People say that the buying/selling of embryos for science is unethical. 2/15/09 t. 1 , 2 0 0 8 – Oc t. 3 , 2 0 0 8 Fre e p.c o m Oc The Co ng re ssio nal Q uarte rly R se arc he r De c . 1 9 9 9 e
Slide 11: Current Policy  Federal Funds are used for research on existing stem cells that were derived with informed consent of the donor, excess embryos created solely from reproductive purposes, and no financial inducements to the donors.  Funding is only used if these conditions exist. w w w .w h ite h o use .g o v 2/15/09
Slide 12: Proposal 2  Public funding would be the next step if voters approve the bill.  If the bill is passed the only funding would be from the federal government.  Approval could clear the way for state researchers to receive federal funds for research if the next president reverses Bush’s stem cell restrictions and limitations. 2/15/09 De tro it Fre e Pre s s Se p te m b e r 2 3 , 2 0 0 8
Slide 13: How was it placed on the ballot?  The initiative is sponsored by the Stem Cell Research Ballot Question Committee; costing them nearly $2 million they got roughly 600,000 signatures on their petition to be able to put the stem cell initiative on the ballot as proposal 2 in Michigan Crain's De tro it Busine ss, J 1 4 , 2 0 0 8 uly 2/15/09
Slide 14: The Stem Cell Initiative (Proposal 2) Wh at is it?  A proposal to amend the state constitution to address human embryo and human embryonic stem cell research in Michigan. M hig an Se c re tary o f State ic 2/15/09
Slide 15: Where John McCain Stands on Stem Cell Research:  McCain believes that stem cell research offers hope for those suffering from many diseases, but he feels that the compassion to cure deadly diseases cannot erode moral and ethical principles.  He opposes any intentional creation of human embryos for research and has voted to ban “fetal farming”, therefore making it a federal crime to use anything from an embryo created for research purposes. 2/15/09 w w w .J hnM Cain.c o m o c
Slide 16: Where John McCain Stands on Stem Cell Research:  If elected president, John McCain will support funding for promising research programs, including amniotic fluid, adult stem cell research and any other study that does not involve the use of human embryos.  When it comes to federal funding he believes there should be a clear line drawn that reflects a refusal to sacrifice moral and ethical values for the sake of scientific progress. 2/15/09 w w w .J hnM Cain.c o m o c
Slide 17: Where Barack Obama Stands on Stem Cell Research:  Barack Obama believes that the study of stem cells holds enormous promise for the treatment of life-threatening diseases, but feels that much more research is needed to understand the amazing potential of stem cells.  He feels we must work together to expand government funding of this research so we can move forward in our fight against disease by advancing our knowledge through science and medicine. http://o b am a.se nate .g o v / 2/15/09
Slide 18:  To find more information about Michiganders that support stem cell research go to www.curemichigan.com.  To find more information about Michiganders that oppose stem cell research go to www.micause.com. 2/15/09
Slide 19: Jessica Kovach Laura Neme Steve Holubka Ayrn Ziesmer John Duran Eri Lekura Savanna Salinas 2/15/09