Topic 8- Evaluation of stem cell use

Question 1

Why is the use of adult stem cells less controversial than embryonic ones?

Answer 1

The donor is able to give permission

Question 2

Give 3 advantages of using stem cells.

Answer 2

-Great potential to treat a wide range of diseases (particularly paralysis and diabetes)
-Organs developed from somebody’s own stem cells reduce the risk of organ rejection and the wait for donation
-Alraedy used succesfully in treatments

Question 3

What are the risks of using stem cells?

Answer 3

-Stem cells developed in vitro/in the lab could become infected with a virus, which would then infect the paitent
-Risk of cultured cells accumulating mutations which lead to cancer cells
-Low number of stem cell donors

Question 4

What are the social issues surrounding stem cell use?

Answer 4

-Possible for ESC to be collected before birth/after, expensive and not open to everyone
-Lack of peer-reviewed clincial evidnce of successful treatments
-Public need to be propoerly educated on what they can and cannot be used for

Question 5

Give some ethical issues associated with stem cell use.

Answer 5

-Stem cells may be sourced from unused embryos produced in IVF treatments - who gives permission
-Is it right to devolpembryous through theraputic cloning and then destroy them- who owns them
-should the embryo be treated as a human with rights?