Embryonic stem cells Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Embryonic stem cells - Research Paper Example Because of this precious ability, embryonic stem cells can be used to treat many of the human diseases. However, isolation of embryonic stem cells is impossible without destroying the embryo and therefore embryonic stem cell isolation and researches are controversial. This paper briefly analyses utility of embryonic stem cells and the ethical issues involved in embryonic stem cell research. Utility of embryonic stem cells According to Dr Rickard (2002), â€Å"the culturing of embryonic stem cells holds tremendous potential for the development of new forms of regenerative medicine to treat debilitating or fatal conditions that would not otherwise be curable† (Dr Rickard, 2002, p.1). Starr et al have pointed out that embryonic stem cells have huge importance in the life of a person and it could be used to provide new nerve cells (Starr et al., 2010, p.449). It should be noted that there are many people in this world who are suffering from nerve problems such as Parkinson disease , Alzheimer’s, epilepsy, dimenisia Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS etc. These diseases can affect the memory of the patient and normal life is extremely difficult for them. For example, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a disease which affects nerve cells in brain and spinal cord which control muscle movement. Even though genetic defects were reported in some cases, the exact reasons for ALS is still unknown in majority of the cases. (Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, n. d.). ALS patients may not be able to move freely because of the problems in the communication between brain and muscles. Nerve cells or neurons which helps brain to communicate with other body organs may become dysfunctional in the case of ALS patients. Embryonic stem cells can do wonders in the case of such patients. As mentioned earlier, embryonic stem cells have the ability to reproduce all the lost cells and it can bring back the patient to his normal state. According to Inou (2010), Neurodegenerative d iseases like Alzheimers' is caused by problems in cortical neurons whereas in dementia, Lewy bodies, or frontotemporal lobar degeneration is causing the disease. Parkinson disease is caused by dopaminergic neurons whereas upper and lower motor neurons cause amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) (Inou, 2010, p.2560). As in the case of ALS patients, embryonic stem cells can help patients with neurodegenerative diseases like diseases such as Parkinson disease, Alzheimer’s, Huntington’s, epilepsy, dimenisia etc. Stem cells are capable of renewing themselves into different types of cells which can be used to replace or repair malfunctioning or inactive cells. Another major feature of embryonic stem cells is its ability to stay secure even after many years, if stored under suitable conditions. Ethical issues involved in embryonic stem cell research Even though separation of adult stem cells is not a worry for medical science, separation of embryonic stem cells is not so. Embry onic stem cells are taken from aborted fetuses. It is impossible to separate embryonic stem cells without killing the embryo. In other words, in order to make the life comfortable for some people, destruction of embryos is necessary. Many people, including believers in different religions have questioned the morality of destroying a human life for saving the life of others. However, there are many others who

Critical Power Grid Security Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3250 words

Critical Power Grid Security - Essay Example More than 140 million customers in America rely upon the 3 linked sectors of over 3,200 utilities of electric distribution, ten thousand plus, generating units as well as tens of thousands of transmission miles which make up the power grid of the United States of America (LISA, 2013). With 500,000 people in average by United States Power Grid outages every day, it is quite safe to describe the power grid as reaching its capacity as well as weakening with age and infrastructure that is declining as the key culprit (Massoud & John, 2008). The experts are becoming worried for a good reason. The US outages costs running to billions of dollars, the unpredictability as well as the unease for the infrastructure and the absence of physical security, has been leading to uncertainty amongst users of power especially in large scale, for instance data centers, institutions, manufacturing firms. Most power users as a result are being forced to become more innovative and come up with alternative s ources of power (LISA, 2013). Within the past one year alone, there has been instances documented, for instance, Superstorm Sandy, within which weaknesses of the electric power grid got to be exposed or within which officials like those within Texas had to step in so as to avert a possible blackout. With regard to this, a number of industries were forced to shut down or limit operations leading to huge problems from customers as well as the public. The greatest power consumers are among the very first to feel a waning grid pressure. In case of an absence of connectivity to generator failures as well as everything in between, this aging power infrastructure is intimidating to hurt businesses as well as individuals in more than one way. The original pathways of the electric power grid similar to those of the highway system were put in place during early the 20th century. In addition, most utility companies still have structures which have run for about 50 to 70 years. It is so