Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that can develop into many different types of cells. There are two main types: embryonic stem cells which come from embryos, and adult stem cells found in tissues. Stem cells may be used to treat diseases but there are ethical concerns about using embryonic stem cells.

1. Starter activity
List as many
different types of
cells as you can
think off.

2. Stem cells
WALT: To understand what stem cells are and how
they are used.
WILF:
~ Recall what stem cells are. (D)
~ Describe the differences between adult stem cells and
embryonic stem cells. (C)
~ Explain why there are advantages, disadvantages and
risks in stem cell research. (B-A*)
Keywords
stem cell embryonic stem cell adult stem cell

3. Embryonic
stem cells
Muscle
cells
Red blood
cells
Neurones
(nerve cells)

4. What for?
Any disease or
damage caused by
cells that no longer
work properly may
one day be treated
and cured using
stem cells.
Diabetes
Leukaemia
Spinal cord
cells

5. Where from?
~ embryonic stem cells taken from leftover embryos
from fertility treatment
~ adult stem cells taken from within the tissue of the
patient
~ stem cells taken from cloned embryos that are
produced using the nucleus of a patient's cell and an
empty human egg cell, and then treated to divide and
form an embryo

6. Make a table showing the benefits and
drawbacks of using stem cells to treat
human disorders.
Keywords
Embryonic
stem cells
Adult stem
cells
Differentiated
Benefits
Drawbacks

8. Embryonic stem cells kill
innocent embryos. This is
murder.
Stem cells are thought to
hold huge potential for
treating a wide range of
disease and disabilities.
Many believe that the use
of embryonic stem cells,
taken from aborted
embryos is unethical,
because they view the
embryos just as they’d
view fully developed
human corpses.
There is a risk of
rejection if stem
cells are taken from
one person and put
into another.
"If someone is going to have an abortion, isn’t
it better that we use it for something useful?"
Stem cell therapy could treat
Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's
disease, heart disease, stroke,
arthritis, diabetes, burns and
spinal cord damage.
Many embryonic stem cells
come from aborted embryos or
from spare embryos in fertility
treatment.
Stem cells may also
provide a useful way to
test the effects of
experimental drugs.

9. What are stem cells?
Stem cells
What are stem cells?
Where are stem cells found?
Where are stem cells found?
What are they used for?
What are they used for?
What are the drawbacks of using stem cells?
What are the drawbacks of using stem cells?
What is the difference between embryonic and adult stem cells?
What is the difference between embryonic and adult stem cells?
Stem cells
What are stem cells?
Stem cells
What are stem cells?
Where are stem cells found?
Where are stem cells found?
What are they used for?
What are they used for?
What are the drawbacks of using stem cells?
What are the drawbacks of using stem cells?
What is the difference between embryonic and adult stem cells?
What is the difference between embryonic and adult stem cells?
Stem cells