Stem cells in medicineSpec 2.9
Stem cells may be able to replace damaged or diseased cells. Some potential uses are treating conditions such as diabetes and paralysis, and replacing damaged tissue.
| Benefits | Risks |
|---|---|
| Could treat conditions that are currently hard to treat, such as diabetes or paralysis. | Stem cells can divide out of control and form a tumour. |
| Could replace damaged cells with new healthy cells. | Viruses in donated stem cells could be passed to the patient and cause disease. |
| Could be used to grow replacement tissues. | The patient's immune system may reject cells from another person. |
| Some people object to using embryos for ethical or religious reasons. |
Quick check
Which process in plant growth does not happen in animals?
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Elongation (cells getting longer).
What does the 50th percentile mean?
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50% of children have a lower value and 50% have a higher value.
What is a stem cell?
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An undifferentiated cell that can divide and can differentiate into specialised cells.
What is the function of a meristem?
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Its cells divide and can differentiate into any type of plant cell, so the plant can keep growing throughout its life.
Give one risk of using stem cells in medicine.
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Any one of: tumour formation, viral infection from donor cells, immune rejection, ethical or religious objections.