Stem cells in medicineSpec 2.9
In short
Stem cells could be used in medicine to replace damaged or diseased cells, for example to treat diabetes or paralysis, or to grow replacement tissues. The risks are that stem cells may divide out of control and form a tumour, viruses in donated cells could infect the patient, and the patient's immune system may reject the cells.
Stem cells may be able to replace damaged or diseased cells. Some potential uses are treating conditions such as diabetes and paralysis, and replacing damaged tissue.
| Benefits | Risks |
|---|---|
| Could treat conditions that are currently hard to treat, such as diabetes or paralysis. | Stem cells can divide out of control and form a tumour. |
| Could replace damaged cells with new healthy cells. | Viruses in donated stem cells could be passed to the patient and cause disease. |
| Could be used to grow replacement tissues. | The patient's immune system may reject cells from another person. |
| Some people object to using embryos for ethical or religious reasons. |
In a 'discuss' question, include at least one benefit and one risk, and finish by weighing them up.
Quick check
Which process in plant growth does not happen in animals?
Show answer
Elongation (cells getting longer).
What does the 50th percentile mean?
Show answer
50% of children have a lower value and 50% have a higher value.
What is a stem cell?
Show answer
An undifferentiated cell that can divide and can differentiate into specialised cells.
What is the function of a meristem?
Show answer
Its cells divide and can differentiate into any type of plant cell, so the plant can keep growing throughout its life.
Give one risk of using stem cells in medicine.
Show answer
Any one of: tumour formation, viral infection from donor cells, immune rejection, ethical or religious objections.
Written and checked against the Edexcel GCSE Biology (1BI0) specification · Updated October 2026