Chapter 2.4 - Stem cell dilemmas

Question 1

What are the problems with using embryonic stem cells

Answer 1

• many come from aborted embryos or from spare ones from fertility treatment - some people say not right to use a potential human
• embryos can’t give permission (against human rights)
• some people have religious believes and say its wrong
• it can be slow, difficult, expensive

Question 2

Positives of using embryonic stem cells

Answer 2

• can be turned into any type of cell (differentiation)

- can cure lots of types of diseases

Question 3

Negatives of using adult stem cells

Answer 3

• May be infected with viruses and can transfer and infect patient
• immune response
• can only develop into a limited range of cell types

Question 4

Positives of using adult stem cells

Answer 4

• ethical - not destroying a life
• less chance of rejection
• easy to harvest
• can cure fewer diseases.

Question 5

Where are embryonic stem cells found?

Answer 5

umbilical cord blood and amniotic fluid

Question 6

What is therapetic Cloning?

Answer 6

very difficult. Involves using cells from an adult to produce a cloned early embryo of themselves.

• This produces a source of perfectly matched embryonic stem cells that can be used for medical treatment
• They won’t be rejected as they are made up of bodies of the persons own cells and have same genes