Stem Cells

Everyone has certain views and opinions, and it is normal for people to disagree. However, it is also important for people to be able to openly state their opinions and be able to support them with facts- be able to advocate. The topic that I am advocating for is Stem Cell research. Quite honestly I do not really know why I chose this topic, but I do think that Stem Cells have a very large potential.
For my project I made a short video introducing everyone to what stem cells are. I gave a simple definition and the hidden potential of stem cells as well as the main controversy associated with stem cells. However, the video is very short and does not really explain anything the well, and so I decided to reflect on it by better explaining the subject matter.
The main drive behind stem cells is that they are unspecialized cells, and therefore they can become any type of cell in the body ranging from heart cells to neurons or brain cells. These cells could therefore be used to heal a very wide range of diseases or injuries. Now although all this sounds great, there is a problem, and that is getting these stem cells. Stem cells are naturally found in either bone marrow or in embryos from which they respectively get their names: adult stem cells and embryonic stem cells.
There has been a lot of controversy about embryonic stem cell research because as the name suggests, “embryonic” stem cells can only be derived from an embryo, and thus this is correlated to abortion and the killing of innocent babies. However, this is not true, because from a scientific point of view, the embryonic stem cells that are needed are only found in a blastocyst which forms in the first 5 days after fertilization, or conception. Of course, someone might argue that life starts at fertilization, from where the journey of life begins; but it should be noted that at this point, the only life that is really there is a group of undifferentiated stem cells which could become just about anything that is alive. However, the main truth is that this fertilization is usually done in vitro, that is- it is grown in the laboratory specifically with the intent to be studied.
Although the beginnings of stem cell research were very controversial, there has been a lot of recent progression in the field. With the recent elections, Michigan’s proposal 2 was passed which now allows the donation of embryos produced in fertility clinics that would otherwise be discarded, as well as government funding of stem-cell research. Also, there are plans for the first stem cell operation this summer, where patients with spinal cord damages will be injected with stem cells. These patients are volunteers who can not walk and they are hoping for a cure with the operation. With the proper care, there is a lot that can be achieved with stem cells, and therefore I believe that this research should not be shut down.

Advocate

For my project I have decided to advocate for stem cell research. I have chosen this topic because there was, and somewhat still is, a lot of controversy about this subject. For the goals of my project I would like to inform people more about it and the possibilities that can be achieved from stem cell research. I am planning on making a slidshow type video (a combination of power point and video).

Advocate

Screen shot

The very first thing that came to mind when I saw the screen shot was: "Is this what I want?" In a few minutes I realized that there wasn't really anything better that I could think of, so I let it be.
Composing in a digital space is very forgiving. I say this because one can make a mistake and simply redo or edit their current composition. If one is writing in a journal and comes up with a new idea after he or she concludes the paragraph, there really isn’t much that he or she can do to fix it; however, in the digital world, he or she would be able to simply go back and edit. There are a lot more benefits to editing via a digital medium rather then the old fashion pen and paper. Not only is it easier, but it is also a lot faster and more organized, especially if one is writing a formal paper in pen. Instead of crossing something out and writing on top of it, one can just delete and re-type it.
To better understand the digital composing processes requires thinking in a digital manner. Composing essays in a digital manner is simple because of easy editing; however, composing music in a digital manner requires a very vivid imagination. Although some aspects can be easier, such as the computer keeping beat or repeating it exactly, others can be harder, such as getting the envisioned beat into the computer. All in all, the only way to understand digital composing is to work with it.