ePortfolio 4

For my roundtable discussion, we have chosen the topic on the genetic technology. As genetic technology is a wide issue, we have focused it down to Stem Cell Research/ Therapeutic cloning. I have come across numerous articles and I would like to summarize 2 of the articles that I find it interesting.


First Article

Hirschler.B(2009, March 1). Researchers find safer ways to make stem cells. Retrieved March 6th, 2009, http://www.reuters.com/article/rbssBiotechnology/idUSLR89990220090301?pageNumber=2&virtualBrandChannel=0&sp=true

This article is about a group of researchers who found a way to transform ordinary skin cells into powerful stem cells without the use of human embryos. It is done so by turning skin cells into pluripotent stem cells which acts like embryonic stem cells. We know that stem cells are able to produce all the body’s tissue and organs. Thus with the advance research on making stem cells, we could forgo the use of human embryonic cell which has since been a debating issue.

I think that this article is quite useful for our roundtable discussion as the issue for cloning has been mainly about the moral ethnic. With this advancement in technology, there is hope that the promise of regenerative medicine can be used and it could use to treat terminal diseases such as cancer or spinal cord injuries.


Second Article

Alexander.D && Fox.M(2009, March 6). Obama to sign stem cells order. Retrieved March 6th, 2009, http://www.reuters.com/article/healthNews/idUSTRE52569U20090306?sp=true

This article is about the newly elected President Obama who is lifting the limits on an 8 year limitation on funding on human embryonic stem cell research which was imposed by predecessor President George Bush. The issue is controversial because people believe the destruction of human embryo is wrong. The eight years limitation placed by President Bush has held up research as scientist try to find an alternative way to do research without the use of human embryos. Although a DICKEY AMENDMENT was set up to forbid the use of federal funds for the creation and destruction of human embryos for research, President Bush vetoed to override this decision.

I find this article interesting and useful as I myself support the use of human embryonic cell. Moral ethnic is based on different perspective and research to benefit mankind should not be affected by it. The advantages of stem cell research generally outweigh the disadvantages.


Vocabulary

1) Human pluripotent stem cell

One of the cells that are self-replicating, are derived from human embryos or human fetal tissue. It is known to develop into cells and tissues of the three primary germ layers.


2) Therapeutic cloning

A type of cloning with the goal of harvesting embryonic stem cells from the resulting blastula to grow tissues and other biological products with therapeutic value.


3) Dirkey Amendment

The Dickey Amendment is the name of an appropriations bill rider attached to a bill passed by United States Congress in 1995, and signed by former President Bill Clinton which prohibits the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) from using appropriated funds for the creation of human embryos for research purposes or for research in which human embryos are destroyed.