by Shanna Schultz

Created on: April 23, 2009

I am going to assume that this question is in regards to embryonic stem cells, since those are the most controversial right now.

No, there should be no government funding to stem cell research, not because of the moral implications, but because it's a waste of money.

Embryonic stem cells have has little to no success in curing any known diseases or growing human tissues. However, adult stem cells have already cured diabetics and in Korea, have even grown a jawbone.

One of the biggest differences in these two cells are that adult stem cells can be found in certain formed tissues or even in an umbilical cord and embryonic cells, are found in, well, embryos.

Currently the biggest problem with embryonic stem cells (aside from the fact that they just don't work as well) is the intense controversy about the "sanctity of life" debate. These cells generally come from a woman's embryo, the process in which these cells are extracted, of course, kill the embryos ability to even form. Because of this process, many people feel that this is murder at the beginning of life. Others say that because it has no heart beat, it can't be considered alive.

Both of these stem cells are thought to be forerunners of therapeutic cloning, tissue regeneration and even curing certain diseases (such as Alzheimer's).

Regardless of which side you are on in that debate, the fact remains, there is a better way.

In 2007, researchers from Kyoto University in California discovered a new system of therapeutic cloning and regeneration. They are able to take skin cells and even adult somatic cells and revert them into pluripotent cells, or "blank slate" cells. The process for doing this is a rearrangement of four genes to the cell which changes the genetic make-up of the cell itself. Generated pluripotent cells can and have been successfully made into human tissue such as heart muscle, brain tissue, pancreas and even a liver.

When it comes right down to it, therapeutic cloning and human regeneration is an upcoming science that can not be ignored because of the huge implications it has. However, the method for creating these cells has only one clear path: Pluripotent cells.

Once we switch the thinking that embryonic stem cells are the only way to get these results and start realizing that, not only are there more successful options, but less controversial ones as well, we can see that federal funding would substantially increase.

The controversy that results from using embryonic stem cells for scientific experimentation will always divide Congress, especially when it comes to handing out money for certain projects. However, the revolutionary Pluripotent- from-skin-cells offer no controversy. At least, not any debate about the morality of where the cells come from.

We can see that once Congress can support an idea, the process in which the solutions that come from cell experimentation are readily available will increase exponentially, thus, improving our nations health and even the world.

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