Disadvantages of Stem Cells
Biology: AQA GCSE Higher, topic 1.2.6
Disadvantages of Stem Cells
Using stem cells in medical treatment can have some downsides:
Viral infections
- Stem cell transplantation could transfer viral infections.
Ethical beliefs
- Some people disagree with using stem cells on ethical or religious grounds:
- They believe that life begins at conception, which means that the embryo is alive.
- Therefore, they view the use of embryonic stem cells as 'killing' an embryo.
Test yourself on Disadvantages of Stem Cells
A stem cell donor is later found to have had an undiagnosed virus when they donated. What is most likely to happen to the patient who received the transplant?
What is a risk associated with stem cell transplantation?
How would an objector's view on embryonic stem cell use change if they believed life begins at birth rather than at conception?