Introduction Stem cells are one kind of cells that can be found in our body.

Currently, there are two main kinds of stem cell research. There is the embryonic stem cell research and induced stem cell research. Embryonic stem cells are obtained from an embryo a few days old from a cell called blastocyst. Induced stem cells are adult stem cells that are reprogrammed genetically. The future of stem cells is still currently unknown but the hopes are high. As for now, stem cells hold the promise of curing diseases like Parkinsons disease, diabetes, Alzheimers, Lou Gehrigs and so on. To obtain the stem cells from embryos, the embryos would have to be dismantled thus, the huge controversies over ethicality of embryos. So are embryonic stem cells mandatory to improve the lives of the sick while killing the unborn? The ethical issues of this research had affected many biologist/scientist. It has affected the research funding and the flexibility of resources. As a biology major, I support embryonic stem cell research, because compared to other countries we may be lagging behind in finding the possible cures to these diseases. Also, we would not be able to join minds with others to improve the lives of the sick and that would greatly affect many people. Ornes, Stephen. What Makes a Stem Cell. Discover: Science for the Curious. Kalmbach Publishing Co., 8 April 2010. Web. 6 February 2014. Ornes talks about the definition of a stem cell and what defines them as a special cell. He wrote how and why the stem cells are special as it had been the worldwide scrutiny (Ornes). After the introduction to stem cells, he talks about a research comparing embryonic stem cells to induced pluripotent stem cell and embryonic stem cells to fibroblasts. At the end of the article, he states that the researcher wishes that continued research can help biologists know how to handle the induced stem cells. Swaminathan, Nikhil. New Source of Stem Cells: Amniotic Fluid. Scientific American. Nature Publishing Group. 7 January 2007. Web. 6 February 2014. The article started off with the description of the new finding. The new finding was the presence of stem cells in amniotic fluid and how researchers were able to manipulate the cells from the fluid. It was then explained how the researcher discovered the stem cells and how they were able to transform it to specific types of tissue. The article quoted several researchers saying that more research needs to be done to fully understand the potential of these cells. Callaway, Ewen. Vatican Calls off Stem Cell Conference. Nature International Weekly Journal of Science. Nature Publishing Group. 26 March 2012. Wed. 6 February 2014. The Vatican had called off a conference regarding embryonic stem cell. Cancellation of the conference had sent mixed messages to researchers and

churches around the world. The article discussed the reason behind the cancellation and the controversies it had caused. Shand, Jessica, et al. Human Embryonic Stem Cell (hESC) and Human Embryo Research. Official Journal of The American Academy of Pediatrics 130.5 (2012): 972-977. Web. 24 February 2014. This article went into detailed information about human embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells. After introducing the types of stem cells, the authors talked about the ethical issues that exist. The article then stated where they stand as an organization and also made some recommendations on the restriction of the use on human embryonic stem cell. This article was clear and concise as they stated their point of view. Ali, Tehseen F., et al. The Stem Cell Debate. International Journal of Collaborative Research on Internal Medicine and Public Health 4.5 (2012): 561-565. Web. 24 February 2014. In this journal article, they discussed about several ethical issues on stem cell research. It covered the bioethics, political, and social issues. It focused on the use of embryos for stem cell research. All their sources were scholarly journal articles on stem cell research, specifically embryonic. The authors also briefly talked about the patent of stem cells. This article was a little short compared to some other articles. It provided very brief information over the debate of stem cells but still useful. National Bioethics Advisory Commission. Ethical Issues in Human Stem Cell Research. Maryland, 1999.Print This is a report and recommendations on human stem cell research written by the National Bioethics Advisory Commission. The President requested it in 1998. The book covered the introduction of the human stem cells, the federal framework, ethical issues, and finally the conclusion. It also incorporated all the aspects of ethical issues. Most of the sources on this report are scholarly journals. This report should be reliable since the President had requested it. Nickel, Philip. Ethical Issues in Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research. Fundamentals of the Stem Cell Debate. Ed. Kristen Renwick Monroe, Ronald B. Miller, and Jerome S. Tobis. Los Angeles: University of California Press, 2008. 63-78 In this book, it covered all the issues of stem cells, from scientific, religious, ethical, to political. The chapter focused was on the ethical issues of stem cell. The author shared both views in the general use of embryos. The chapter was a little bias to me as the author stated more good things about the use of embryonic stem cells than the bad.

Miller, Ronald B. Ethical Issues in Stem Cell Research, Therapy, and Public Policy. Fundamentals of the Stem Cell Debate. Ed. Kristen Renwick Monroe, Ronald B. Miller, and Jerome S. Tobis. Los Angeles: University of California Press, 2008. 146-174