1. Khazhakyan 1
Kathrine Khazhakyan
Engl 115
Professor Gides
20 November 2015
The Stem for Cures: Stem Cell Research
“In 2006, researchers made a breakthrough by identifying conditions that would allow
some specialized adult cells to be ‘reprogrammed’ genetically to assume a stem cell-like state”
(Bethesda). Making it possible to treat countless diseases, such as Parkinson’s, diabetes, birth
defects, and etc. However, the benefits come with costs, this method has much work remaining
in laboratories and clinics to understand how to make proper use of its renewing properties in
therapy. Therefore, excess funds need to be supplied to this area of study to cure life-threatening
illnesses.
The discovery of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS), adult cells artificially derived from
non-pluripotent cells, was an important factor in the progress of research. Eliminating the major
pre-existing controversy over the use of human embryos to obtain stem cells. The threats of
producing the immense number of embryonic stem cells needed to proceed with finding the
answer to diseases does not exist anymore. Some can object to the new form of regenerative
therapy by stating that it can transmit infectious diseases from donor to the recipient, but in
reality it gives a survival rate of 70 percent among high-risk adults (Moffit). Private investors
have begun increasing funds in this specific aspect of stem cell research. Positively influencing
research and enhancing progress to save more lives by developing new blood, gut, and cardiac
muscle cells as shown in the diagram (Nakagawa).

2. Khazhakyan 2
Unbelievable success rates is what
drives stem cell research forward, gaining the
interest of many. Personally, my younger
brother was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes
when he was just three years old, and it has
been a constant battle since then for our family
as a whole. Initiating funds for this particular
issue would lead to peace of mind that a cure
exists, not just for my family, but for the millions
out there suffering from grueling diseases. Due to statistics demonstrating “more than 6,000
patients and 66 diseases being successfully treated with stem cells” derived from umbilical cord
blood, gives the general public hope for their loved ones (Moffit). Despite the minimal risks
people can look forward to having options now, as opposed to before when they would have to
accept their life no matter how difficult it would be. Those risks are worth taking for the chance
of being able to live their life, rather than the constant shadow of health limitations.
Not only does stem cell research benefit society medically, but it also helps boost the
economy. This aspect affects everyone healthy and ill in a positive manner. By increasing the
budget going into stem cells the amount of research being done would rise, causing an escalation
in jobs in the field. Adjustments on the federal level “will benefit the United States greatly
because this would put more people in work and enable more people to have an income of their
own” (Economic Benefits for Stem Cell Research). As the GDP gradually surges upward
because of the drop in unemployment rates, it will lead to much needed economic growth in the
United States. The fact that this “would shift the aggregate supply curve to the right […] it would
Figure 1: Creationof iPSCells

3. Khazhakyan 3
also decrease inflation” (Economic Benefits for Stem Cell Research). Although, the general
public prefers to spend the money on more cost-efficient government projects, my solution
would be less expensive because all the finances supplied to this cause would be compensated
for by the improvements it would lead to economically.
Another ethical and harmless method of producing functional stem cells would be
through cord blood, which is not considered to be killing life. According to Dr. Pablo
Rubinstein, Director of the National Cord Blood Program at the New York Blood Center ,
the “first patient to be treated with cord blood stem cells in 1988 today shows no evidence of the
Fanconi Anemia that he suffered from as a child” (Moffit). This successful experiment allowed
the launch of stem cell research in the 80s, which people believed to be worth the expenses at the
time. Suddenly, there was a cure for an illness that was present since childhood, giving many
confidence in stem cells again. I agree that embryonic stem cells have drawbacks that can be
costly and dangerous, henceforth these solutions of using cord blood and adult stem cells were
created.
Neo-natal cord stem cells have numerous advantages. For instance, they can become
several different tissue types and eventually all kinds of types with further study. They are
capable of innumerable amounts of mitosis, a process where “chromosomes in cell nucleus
divide and separate,” meaning they can last a lifetime (The New Book of Knowledge, 160).
Treating a wide range of cancers, genetic diseases, and blood disorders cord blood research is
excelling due to increased attention on the subject. When cord blood stem cell treatment is over
the patient develops a new and healthy immune system.
Recently the CDC reported that 25.8 million people in the U.S. have diabetes (Castillo).
Hence, an outburst of type 1 diabetes has left many families devastated. In the case of stem cell

4. Khazhakyan 4
therapy I agree that for this specific type; the methods we face contain hurdles, such as
dysfunction of the stem cell compartment in these patients. However, this information proves
and signifies that growing “investigations in this field may lead to further improvements without
bearing regular side effects of immunosuppressive drugs” (Hakim, 452). Concluding that the
only resolution to this here would be to provide the means for researchers to discover these
advances to better our lives.
The US prohibits the creation of embryos for research because in 2001 US President
Bush limited federal funding to the study setting back progress of stem cell research for this
purpose (Genetic Science Learning Center). Concerned about the billions being spent on
biomedical research, in the taxpayers interest he would rather have their money be put into more
ethical studies that would not involve such high risks. One problem with putting restrictions on
the research is that millions of lives have the potential of being saved, but are now being put on
hold even though the dangerous factors have been reduced drastically. The fear of developing
tumorigenesis is nonexistent thanks to the discovery of a safe and efficient method of iPS cell
generation using L-Myc, encouraging taxpayer money to be utilized in this specific medical
ingenuity (Nakagawa). Overall, making it feasible and understandable to promote funding in all
kinds of stem cells.
In the end, most biological studies come with aids and hazards, however, stem cell
research could change our lives for the better. Millions of children alone could benefit from stem
cells, not to mention the rest of the public. Therefore, the argument of the research costing the
country billions of money is irrelevant once a precious child is cured from a serious disease, such
as lymphoma. Increasing the budget would fundamentally increase the lifespan of most humans,
giving them a chance to have a fulfilling life.

5. Khazhakyan 5
Works Cited
Bethesda, MD. "Stem Cell Basics.” :Introduction [Stem Cell Information]. U.S. Department of
Health and Human Service, 15 Mar. 2015. Web. 10 Nov. 2015.
Castillo, Michelle. "371 Million People Have Diabetes Globally, about Half Undiagnosed."
CBSNews. CBS Interactive, 14 Nov. 2012. Web. 12 Nov. 2015.
"Cells." The New Book of Knowledge. Vol. 3. Danbury, CT: Scholastic Library Pub., 2006. 159-
62. Print.
"Economic Benefits for Stem Cell Research." Fundscr. WordPress, 16 May 2012. Web. 11 Nov.
2015.
Genetic Science Learning Center. "Stem Cell Quick Reference." Learn.Genetics. Web. 11
November 2015
Hakim, Nadey S. "History of Pancreatic Stem Cell Transplantation and Alternative Islet
Sources." Pancreas, Islet, and Stem Cell Transplantation for Diabetes. 2nd ed. Oxford:
Oxford UP, USA, 2010. 450-53. Print.
Moffit, Robert E., Kelly Hollowell, Phil Coelho, and Dave Weldon. "Federal Stem Cell
Research: What Taxpayers Should Know." The Heritage Foundation. N.p., 25 May 2005.
Web. 10 Nov. 2015.
Nakagawa, Masato. "Research Overview | Masato Nakagawa (Senior Lecturer) | Research
Divisions | Research Activities | CiRA | Center for IPS Cell Research and Application,
Kyoto University." Research Overview | Masato Nakagawa (Senior Lecturer) | Research
Divisions | Research Activities | CiRA | Center for IPS Cell Research and Application,
Kyoto University. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Nov. 2015.