Using human stem cells

• Chromosomes carry genetic information in a molecule called DNA.
• A type of cell division called mitosis ensures that when a cell divides each new cell produced has the same genetic information.
• Stem cells can divide to produce new cells, which can then divide into different cell types, and therefore have the potential to be transplanted into patients to treat medical conditions and diseases.
• Stem cells could be used to replace cells that have been damaged or destroyed, such as in type 1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, and paralysis.
• The stem cells used could be embryonic stem cells, which are found in the embryo and are capable of dividing into almost any cell type, or adult stem cells, which are found in specific locations in adults and can only differentiate into a limited number of related cell types.
• Embryonic stem cells can differentiate into a wider range of cell types, but are difficult to obtain and their use raises ethical challenges.
• The best source of embryonic stem cells is the five-day-old embryo.
• Adult stem cells will differentiate into a narrower range of cell types.
• Bone marrow transplants are an example of adult stem cell transplant.
• Bone marrow cells will differentiate into different types of blood cell.
• Bone marrow transplants are carried out in cases of blood cell cancer, when blood cells have been destroyed by cancer treatment.
• Therapeutic cloning involves using human stem cells to create embryos for the purpose of research.
• Cloning in plants involves using genetic engineering to create plants with specific characteristics.