Responce: Stem Cells, Growth and Developement article 5

I'm not an advocate for human embryonic stem cell research, or any kind of embryonic stem cell research. Personally I wouldn't be comfortable knowing that a potential person was used to build cells for me. However in order to fully understand my topic (stem cell reseach and developements) I need to understand every part and type of stem cell research and set aside my personal opinions. Seeing many types of stem cell developement helps to make me more knowledgeable of my subject. That is why I chose this particular article to read.

I found it interesting that they hadn't been able to collect any embryos as of September 2009. Are the new restrictions too difficult to weed through? Is the process to complex for donors to feel comfortable in donating embryos? It seems that in the other areas of stem cell research that I've learned about scientists seem to be making significant advances while in hESC research they are delayed with the challenge of making it past all the restrictions and prohibited specifics that have been set in place for hESC research.

The article itself seemed very political and that made it challenging for me to figure out what was actually affecting hESC research, and what was the political dispute as well as political terminology. In the future I would prefer to read about more of the science of the research, it appeals to me more than the political side. However, I need to keep the research I'm doing current, and the government continues to lift as well as create new restictions on stem cell research, so politics are going to have to be part of my research.

Notes: Stem Cells, Growth and Developement article 5

In March 2009 Obama lifted restrictions on embryonic stem cell research in the US.

This pleased many scientests and advocates of stem cell research as well as possible patients.

New guidelines say the the National Institutes of Health (NIH) can provide with funding for hESCs research coming from human embryos.

the only embryos used are from donators with excess eggs from in vetro fertilization. the donors have given consent and are fully aware that their embryos are being used for hESC research.

"full promise of stem cell research remains unknown, and it should not be overstated." is a quote from President Obama's notes on the research.

the cell registry for hESC research was still empty as of September 2009.

some scientists believe that the next major breakthrough will be to have permission to have human trials with the hESCs.