Embryonic Stem Cells = Immortality?

• Medical benefits are almost unlimited

• Cell replacement therapies

• Design better medications

• and produce organs, limbs

• Human achievement

Thesis

• We should increase funding for and remove restrictions on embryonic stem cell research.

Experience• Learned about stem cells

and cell development through courses including

• Genetics• Cell Biology• Neurobiology• and Developmental Biology• Pursuing career in

medicine/medical research.

• Do you have diabetes or a family history of cancer or heart disease?

• Do you have family or friends who are sick?

• Do you engage in behavior that has long term negative consequences?

• This encompasses almost everybody

How would it work?

• Using stem cells one could replace dysfunctional or dead cells.

• e.g. Heart attack

• e.g. Diabetes

• Drug development

• Regrow organs, limbs

It could cure• 25 million Americans w/ heart disease• 21 million Americans w/ diabetes• 10.8 million Americans w/ cancer• Countless other people suffering from more than

70 other diseases and injuries.

Seems so obvious…

Current funding is insufficient

• ONLY $40 million

• California’s attempt

• If we had underfunded NASA

Restrictions on ES research• In 2001 President Bush restricted ES

research to 80 lines.

• Only 20 of the lines are useful.

• All lines may be contaminated.

• This current research may fail

Consequences of Bush’s restrictions

• Dr. Irv Weissman says that these restrictions have severely affected research.

• Director of NIH Elias A. Zerhouni agreed that research is being hindered

• According to Martin Rees, US laws have global implications

Embryonic stem cells show promise for cures

• SHORT TERM• Skin grafts• Blood producing factories• And drug testing• LONG TERM• Cures for numerous diseases• New organs• And new limbs

What will it take?

• National priority

• In 1961 Kennedy issued a challenge

• We have the money…

• 275 million a day in Iraq

• Where do you think the money should go?

• The more we invest, the faster the benefits could be realized

Conclusion

• People are dying every day

• If you had a terminal illness

• Lobby your government representatives.

• I challenge you to make a difference

• Help make the promise of embryonic stem cell research a reality.

Questions?

Bibliography• Nicholas Wade, New York Times Staff Writer, May 9, 2003.

“Clinics hold more embryos than had been thought,” (Viewed Feb. 20, 2008)http://eebweb.arizona.edu/courses/ecol223/Clinics%20Hold%20More%20Embryos%20Than%20Had%20Been%20Thought%20-%20New%20York%20Times.pdf

• Bill Frist, Senator, July 13, 2006. “Time to lift federal restrictions on stem cell research,” (Viewed Feb. 20, 2008)http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2006/07/13/EDGOBIPUT61.DTL

• Ed Bradley, CBS News Reporter. Feb. 26, 2006. “Scientist hopes for stem cell success,” (Viewed Feb 20, 2008)http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/02/23/60minutes/main1341635.shtml#

• CDC, Oct. 26, 2005 “Number of Americans with diabetes continues to increase,” (Viewed Feb 20, 2008)http://www.cdc.gov/od/oc/media/pressrel/fs051026.htm

• CDC, December 31, 2007. “Heart Disease,” (Viewed Feb 20, 2008) http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/heart.htm

• American Cancer Society, Cancer Facts & Figures 2008, (Viewed Feb. 20, 2008) http://www.cancer.org/downloads/STT/2008CAFFfinalsecured.pdf

• Cosmos Magazine, July 20, 2006. “Scientists denounce Bush veto of stem-cell research bill,” (Viewed Feb. 20, 2008) http://www.cosmosmagazine.com/node/433

• American Association for Cancer Research, March 20, 2007. “NIH director breaks with Bush policy, wants limits eased on stem cell research,” (Viewed Feb. 20, 2008) http://www.aacr.org/home/public--media/public-policy--legislative-affairs/legislative-news.aspx?d=724

• NIH, Feb 5, 2008. “Estimates of funding for various research areas,” (Viewed Feb. 20, 2008)http://www.nih.gov/news/fundingresearchareas.htm