Stem cell research is a very hot topic in society today for many reasons, but the benefits undoubtedly outweigh the risks. If stem cell research were standard practice in the medical field, many lives could be saved and quality of life would be improved. Stem cells are essentially undifferentiated cells that can develop into any type of tissue around them. These stem cells have the ability to heal all types of damaged human tissues and would save countless lives. There is, however, a drawback: only one type of stem cell has the capacity to regenerate into any tissue: this is the embryonic stem cell. Embryonic stem cells are just that: stem cells from the embryos of unborn fetuses. Naturally, there has been extensive debate on this topic. On the one hand, scientists have the ability to repair life, cure disease, and cure the incurable. On the other hand, they must “take life” to achieve this. Since stem cells are undifferentiated cells, they do not yet have a function. Even without function, all stem cell genes have the capacity ...