1.12 - Stem Cells in Medicine

• What is the problem in type 1 diabetes?

  The pancreas is damaged and no longer produces insulin
• What are the steps of stem cells found treatment?

  1. Extract embryonic stem cells from early embryos
  2. Grow them in a laboratory
  3. Stimulate them to differentiate into whichever type of specialised cell that is needed
  4. Give them to the patient to replace their faulty cells
• What are the disadvantages of using embryonic stem cells in stem cell therapy?

  Stem cells have a limited supply

  Risk of rejection

  Ethical issues associated with stem cells
• What are the advantages of using adult stem cells breather than embryonic stem cells?

  Adult stem cells won’t cause rejection as they’re taken from the patient themselves

  Adult stem cells are taken from the patient and so are not in limited supply
• What are stem cells used for in medicine?

  They are used for regenerative therapies.
• How can stem cells be infected in a laboratory setting?

  They could be infected with a virus.
• What could happen if stem cells are infected in the lab?

  They could then infect the patient.
• How quickly do stem cells divide?

  They divide quickly.
• What is a risk associated with stem cells dividing uncontrollably?

  They could develop into a tumor.
• What happens to stem cells once they are transplanted?

  They can develop into a tumor.
• What are the potential risks of using stem cells in medicine?

  • Infection with viruses in the lab
  • Uncontrolled division leading to tumors
  • Potential to infect patients after transplantation
• What are disadvantages of using adult stem cells rather than embryonic?

  Only differentiate into different types of blood cell

  Have to be extracted from bone marrow which is very painful