Cell Division - Use of Stem Cells: Benefits and Risks (GCSE Biology)
Use of Stem Cells: Benefits and Risks
Treatment using Stem Cells
- Stem cells can be used to treat diabetes. In diabetes, patients suffer from a lack of insulin, and therefore have high blood glucose levels. Stem cells can be made that can produce insulin, in order to treat those who suffer from diabetes (type I). This insulin can be used in insulin injections.
- Stem cells can be used to treat paralysis. Stem cells can be differentiated to form nerve cells. These cells are used to treat those who suffer from the nerve damage that causes certain types of paralysis.
- Stem cells can be used in transplantation. Stem cells can be transplanted for example in bone marrow transplantation to treat leukaemia.
Therapeutic Cloning
- Immune rejection is an issue in medical treatment. Although the above techniques (for diabetes and paralysis) are effective, there is a risk of the recipient’s immune system rejecting the ‘foreign’ cells. Therefore we can use therapeutic cloning to reduce the risk of rejection.
- Therapeutic cloning uses stem cells from the patient. An embryo is produced, to have the same genetical material as the patient. Stem cells are then taken from the embryo to treat the patient. These cells should not be rejected by the immune system of the patient, as they have the same genetic material as the patient.
Ethical Debate
There are many ethical opinions for and against the use of stem cells for both treatment and research:
Meristems
- Meristems can be used to prevent extinction. Stem cells from the meristems of plants that are threatened by extinction can be harvested. These plants can then be grown in favourable conditions, as clones of the original plant, in order to keep these rare plants in existence.
- Meristems can be used to produce plants with favourable characteristics. Stem cells can be harvested from the meristems of plants that have characteristics, such as resistance to particular diseases, ability to withstand extreme temperatures, fast rate of growth. Clones can then be made in large numbers. This will aid the farming industry.
Cell division is the process by which a single cell divides into two or more daughter cells. Stem cells are cells that have the ability to divide and differentiate into various specialized cell types, such as muscle cells, blood cells, or nerve cells.
Stem cells have the potential to treat a wide range of diseases and injuries. They can be used to replace damaged cells, regenerate tissues, and even cure certain medical conditions, such as diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, and heart disease.
While stem cell therapy has the potential to cure many diseases and injuries, there are also some risks associated with this treatment. For example, there is a risk of rejection by the body’s immune system, as well as a risk of the stem cells turning into cancer cells. Additionally, the long-term effects of stem cell therapy are still unknown, so further research is needed.
Stem cells can come from several sources, including embryos, adult tissues, and umbilical cord blood. Embryonic stem cells are harvested from embryos that have been donated for research, while adult stem cells are obtained from the patient’s own body. Umbilical cord blood is collected after a baby is born and is a rich source of stem cells.
There are two main types of stem cells: embryonic stem cells and adult stem cells. Embryonic stem cells are pluripotent, meaning they have the ability to develop into any type of cell in the body. Adult stem cells are multipotent, meaning they can only develop into certain types of cells, depending on their source.
Stem cells are used in medical treatments by being transplanted into the patient’s body. Once they have been transplanted, they have the ability to replace damaged cells, regenerate tissues, and cure certain medical conditions. This is why stem cell therapy is considered such a promising area of research and treatment.
There are several ethical concerns surrounding stem cell research, including the use of embryos for research, the creation of embryos specifically for research, and the potential for stem cell treatments to be used for cosmetic purposes. These issues raise important questions about the value of human life, and the ethical and moral implications of stem cell research and treatments.
Still got a question? Leave a comment
Leave a comment