Diseases such as diabetes and sickle cell anemia do not yet have a cure, but an effective treatment may be on the horizon, one that has to do with stem cells. Stem cells are pluripotent, meaning they can grow into any cell type. Scientists believe that stem cells could be the answer to curing many genetic diseases, such as sickle cell anemia and Parkinson's disease, and also many non-genetic diseases, such as diabetes and heart disease. However, the methods used to acquire these stem cells are becoming increasingly controversial, as some believe they are morally wrong. Until recently, stem cells were obtained only from embryos, as all embryos start out as stem cells that eventually develop into organs, muscles, bones, and other parts of the body. These stem cells are called embryonic stem cells. They begin as a donated embryo for IVF procedures, in which surrogate mothers take someone else's fertilized egg and carry the baby until it is ready to be born. The used eggs were no longer needed for the procedures and were taken to laboratories, where their stem cells would be used. But South Korean scientists have found a way to obtain stem cells by cloning embryos. In laboratories, the DNA from each egg cell is removed and replaced with DNA from another cell. This process is called nuclear transfer. The cell is grown in a culture dish and begins to divide, until it reaches 3-5 days of life. The egg is now called a blastocyst, which is basically a cluster of stem cells with an outer shell. Scientists break open the outer shells to access the stem cells inside and use them for research. The researchers also managed to create a new method for creating cells. A Japanese scientist named Shin......middle of paper......would no longer be needed for IVF procedures. It is better for them to die for the search than to die without a purpose. I believe that stem cells will have a huge impact on medical research and will benefit everyone. We should continue to use embryonic stem cells until we discover these much-needed treatments. We can prevent so much pain and save so many lives. The human race must make a choice: cells or people? Works Cited “Stem Cell Basics: An Introduction.” NIH. National Institute of Health, 2002. Web. 03 April 2014.."The breakthrough in stem cells." PBS. PBS, August 23, 2008. Web. April 3, 2014.."Stem Cells: The Initial Research." PBS. PBS, April 19, 2005. Web. April 3. 2014..