When a patient is faced with a terminal illness or is told they will never walk again, it can be difficult to find any hope. Stem cells offer a slight glimmer of hope, with all the amazing things they are, in theory, capable of doing and healing. But what type of stem cells are we talking about? Embryonic, adult or cord blood? All of these have the ability to replicate and become any type of cell (Harvard Gazette). As with any incredible feat, there is most often a “trap”. Many questions arise when thinking about the sacrifices, risks and benefits. It is a question of where we owe our obligations, to the embryo or to the thousands of people who suffer and die from incurable diseases. A diverse range of arguments extends from scientific aspects to religious laws. The controversy will continue as this analytical essay unfolds. Should we allow scientists to sacrifice a life for the extraordinary possibilities promised by embryonic stem cell research? The first argument about what should be done about embryonic stem cell research is written by Rachel Benson Gold. Gold has authored several reports and articles in the area of ​​reproductive health services and financing, and recently completed a comprehensive analysis of the national family planning effort and its role in a changing health system. In Rachel Benson Gold's article “Embryonic Stem Cell Research – Old Controversy; New debate,” she targets the political side of the debate. Gold provides background information on stem cells and how the idea for his research began. “As early as 1954, the Nobel Prize in Medicine was awarded to scientists whose work on human fetal kidney cell cultures... middle of article...... Human embryonic stem cells. Sudbury: Jones and Bartlett, 2007. Print. Kinsley, Michael. “The False Stem Cell Controversy.” » Time May 23, 2004: n. page. Internet. February 22, 2011. .Gold, Rachel Benson. “Embryonic Stem Cell Research – Old Controversy; New debate. The Guttmacher Report 7.4 (2004): 4-7. Guttmacher. Internet. February 22, 2011. .Gewertz, Ken. “The debate over stem cell research continues.” Harvard University Gazette 2007: n. page. News.Harvard. Internet. February 20, 2011. .Eisenberg, MD, Daniel. “Is the destruction of pre-existing pre-embryos permitted for stem cell research? WWW.Aish.com. Np, November 10, 2001. Web. February 17. 2011. .