Chapter 7D

Question 0

Differentiate between embryonic stem cells and somatic stem cells.

Answer 0

Embryonic Stem cells are fresh and come from human embryos. Somatic stem cells are already grown into their type (muscle, blood etc) in an adult.

Embryonic cells are not as specialized as somatic cells (yet), so it is easier to control their differentiation.

Question 1

Explain what stem cells are and why they are useful in research.

Answer 1

Mature, grown, differentiated cells

Can be made into any type of cell and inserted to cure disease, ie diabetes, Parkinson’s disease

Question 2

Defend a biblical position regarding human embryonic stem cell research.

Answer 2

Even unborn babies are souls for whom Christ died.

It is never ok to kill one human to find a cure for another.

Even if embryonic stem cells prove to be more useful than somatic stem cells and could lead to cures for diseases, their use would still NOT be justified. Luke 1:44

Question 3

Stem Cells are cells that divide almost _________?

Answer 3

Indefinitely. Forever.

Question 4

How is the process of a person becoming an airline pilot similar to a cell’s differentiation?

Answer 4

Stem cells “grow up”, mature and become specialized.

Question 5

(True or False) Embryonic stem cells are already being used to treat over 70 different diseases.

Answer 5

False! Somatic!!!

Question 6

What is the primary ethical problem surrounding human embryonic stem cell research? Use Scripture to support your answer.

Answer 6

Kills human embryos.

Luke 1:44

Question 7

Once a cell has become specialized, we say it is _________?

Answer 7

Differentiated

Question 8

True or False: Currently, embryonic stem cell research has NOT produced any successful treatments for human disease.

Answer 8

True

Question 9

For a Christian, the most important advantage of somatic stem cells is that they………

Answer 9

do not require the killing of human embryos.