Stem Cells My learning Objectives: 1. What are stem cells? 2. How can stem cells be used to treat medical conditions? 3. What are positives and ethical problems of stem cell research?

Stem Cells Stem cells are able to differentiate (divide and change) in to specialised cells. Stem cells are able to differentiate (divide and change) in to specialised cells. They are very important because they produce the enormous number of specialised cells (such as nerve, muscle and red blood cells) required by the body. They are very important because they produce the enormous number of specialised cells (such as nerve, muscle and red blood cells) required by the body. The easiest way to obtain stem cells is from embryos. However, the embryo is destroyed in this process. The easiest way to obtain stem cells is from embryos. However, the embryo is destroyed in this process.

Stem Cells Potentially these stem cells could be used to treat a number of medical conditions, such as leukaemia, Parkinsons and spinal injuries. Potentially these stem cells could be used to treat a number of medical conditions, such as leukaemia, Parkinsons and spinal injuries. Early Human Embryo Stem Cells Muscle cells RBC’s Heart Tissue Immune system cells Nerve cells

Task 1 The following two slides show views held by people on opposite sides of the stem cell debate. Read and answer the following questions. The following two slides show views held by people on opposite sides of the stem cell debate. Read and answer the following questions. 1. Are Dr Edwards and Kim Jones for or against the use of stem cells in medical research? 2. Justify your answer for the above.

Dr Edwards Medical Researcher The medical benefits Out way arguments against using stem cells because they are obtained from embryos. Stem cells can be used to treat a number of medical conditions. For example; leukaemia, Parkinsons, spinal injuries and heart disease Some conditions are Very difficult to treat using Conventional medicine. eg. Current treatments for Parkinsons only slow down the progress of the disease. There is a shortage of Material for transplants. Many patients die Waiting for a transplant. Stem cell research combined with cloning technologies (therapeutic cloning) can be used to produce donor material that matches the patient tissue type. Some ethnic minorities are very difficult to find tissue type matches for

Kim Jones Pro life campaigner Therapeutic cloning will lead to the creation of embryos for the sole purpose of treating another. This is ethically wrong. The easiest way to produce Stem cells involves the Destruction of embryos. The destruction of embryos devalues human life. Human life, even embryos is sacred. The use of cord blood stem cells Could lead to parents having Babies to treat another child With a serious medical Condition.

Task 2 Read the following advertisement. Read the following advertisement. What do you think? What do you think? Do you agree with cord blood stem cell storage being advertised in this way? Do you agree with cord blood stem cell storage being advertised in this way? What are the arguments for and against this technology? What are the arguments for and against this technology?

Advertisement Stem Cells R US Cord Blood Stem Cell storage Only £1495. Includes collection and 20 year storage If you love your baby, birth is your only chance to preserve your babies stem cells. Enormous medical benefits (Parkinsons, leukaemia, spinal injuries). Note: There is only a 1 in several thousand chance of your baby requiring these stem cells