Stem Cell Research: Status and Ethics

Task 1: Key definitions Pluripotent – Embryonic stem cell – Differentiated -

Are there other types of stem cell? Embryonic - early stages of development Adult stem cells – allow regeneration and repair of tissues. Found deep within organs that need replenishment e.g. bone marrow, skin, gut and brain

Can adult stem cells make any type of cell? No only certain types

Task 2: Questions 1.Where do we find adult stem cells? 2.Can they be used to make all cell types?

How can we use stem cells?

Task 3: research Use the internet to find examples of diseases in which stem cells have the potential to treat.

Task 4: THINK – what may be the advantages and disadvantages of using embryonic stem cells AdvantagesDisadvantages

Task 5: Ethics – What do YOU think? Proponents of human embryonic stem cell research say that embryos from IVF are going to be discarded and, so, should be used for research Prisoners on death row are also going to die, so why not do research on them

Task 5: Ethics – What do YOU think? Write and argument FOR and AGAINST use of STEM cells in a letter to the PM Evaluate = a higher order thinking task!!