Great job Binh. There are many arguments to be made regarding your topic. Your claim needs to move beyond what stem cell technology is, and toward a claim about its practice, policy, uses, etc. To do this, think about who you want to address, lawmakers? health insurance companies? doctors? researchers? Then think about what you want that group to do. I think this will help in making an interesting and relevant claim.

What is therapeutic cloning?

Therapeutic cloning is the use of cloning technology in the search for new treatments and cures for diseases and disabilities. The genetic material or DNA is removed from an unfertilized egg and replaced with the genetic material of an adult somatic cell (e.g., skin cell). Stem cells that genetically match the adult somatic cell donor can be derived from this process. See graphic.

Once stem cells have been obtained, they can be induced to develop into specific types of cells or tissues. Since these specialized cells or tissues genetically match the adult somatic cell donor, they can be transplanted into the donor with little or no chance of the body rejecting them. Scientists also hope to use stem cells derived from therapeutic cloning to better understand how cells behave throughout their lifespan and how disease develops.

1) "Research! America." Stem Cell Research FAQs. Web. 14 Mar. 2012. .

What is reproductive cloning?

Reproductive cloning is the use of cloning technology to produce a child. The genetic material of an adult somatic cell is transplanted into an unfertilized egg that no longer has its own genetic material. Theoretically, the modified egg would then be transferred to the uterus with the expectation that it would develop into a child. Without implantation in the uterus, there is no potential of the modified egg becoming a complete organism.

1)"Research! America." Stem Cell Research FAQs. Web. 14 Mar. 2012. .

A visual of how stem cells works.

This link below provides a visual of stem cells.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUcE1Y_bOQE

Why not just use adult stem cell and skip the ethical issue?

Adult stem cells limits the potential areas of treatment because of its location in which it is extracted. This increase the risk for resistants from the stem cell and also slows down the process dramatically by only researching adult stem cell.

1) "Adult Stem Cell Research Leaving Embryos Behind." CBSNews. CBS Interactive, 02 Aug. 2010. Web. 14 Mar. 2012. .

Alternatives to embryonic stem cells?

Scientists have made a breakthrough in science by making artificially produced naturally occuring biological signals that converts ordinary skin cells to cell that act almost identically to embryonic stem cells.

1) "Two Alternatives to Embryonic Stem Cell Research Facts & Fears ACSH." Welcome to American Council on Science and Health. Web. 14 Mar. 2012. .

What are the cons about stem cell research?

The main issue concerning stem cell research that pro- lifers are against, are the moral and ethical stand- point of embryonic stem cell research. This type of research includes the destruction of blastocysts formed by laboratory- fertilized human eggs. Since these pro- lifers believe in the idea of conception, this type of research of destroying blastocysts is immoral and unacceptable. The long- term effects of stem cell are still unknown which can also hold a burden on patients.

1) "Pros and Cons of Stem Cell Research." About.com Biotech / Biomedical. Web. 14 Mar. 2012. .

What are the pros about stem cell research?

Stem cells main pros are the cure to many health problems. These health problems included a variety of disease, cancers, spinal cord injuries, hundreds of immune system, and many more that stem cell research can solve. In the future, stem cell can also allow scientist to test new medicine on cells directly to rid the possibility of harmful animal and human testing.

1)"Pros & Cons of Embryonic Stem Cell Research." About.com US Liberal Politics. Web. 14 Mar. 2012. .

2) "Pros and Cons of Stem Cell Therapy." Health Guidance. Web. 14 Mar. 2012. .

What is the purpose of stem cell research?

With President Obama recent lifting of the ban of federal funding for embryonic stem cell research, scientist are able to further their research to find life changing cures. Major health problems that we faced today such as; spinal cord injury, diabetes, heart disease, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, Lou Gehrig disease, lung diseases, arthritis, sickle cell anemia, and organ failure, all have the possibility of being cured or treated. Stem cell research has also opened the doors for cloning, which is heavy debated upon.

1) Lyon, Lindsay. "Stem Cells: 10 Diseases They May-or May Not-Cure." US News. U.S.News & World Report, 13 Mar. 2009. Web. 13 Mar. 2012. .

2) "Cloning and Stem Cell Research." Cloning and Stem Cell Research. Web. 13 Mar. 2012. .

Where do stem cells derive from?

Stem cells are all over the human body, some regions more so than others. The most common stem cells used are: embryonic stem cell and somatic stem cell. Embryonic stem cells derive from embryos whom eggs have been fertilized. These stem cells are usually harvested seven to ten days after fertilization from the inner cell mass of the blastocyst. All though embryonic and somatic are the most common used by scientist, other forms of stem cells such as: fetal stem cell, umbilical cord stem cell, and placenta stem cell, are still used.

1) "Where Do Stem Cells Come From." Popular Issues. Web. 13 Mar. 2012. .

2) "Frequently Asked Questions." What Are Adult Stem Cells? [Stem Cell Information]. Web. 13 Mar. 2012. .

What are stem cells?

Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that have the potential to convert into specialized cells. These unique cells have the ability to divide indefinitely, also know as cell renewal. Blood cells, muscle cells, or brain cells are all common specialized cells in which stem cells differentiate into according to needs.

1) "Frequently Asked Questions." Stem Cell Basics: Introduction [Stem Cell Information]. Web. 13 Mar. 2012. .

2) "What Are Stem Cells?" Medical News Today. MediLexicon International, 01 Feb. 0032. Web. 13 Mar. 2012. .

3) "What Are Stem Cells?" CSA. Web. 14 Mar. 2012. .