# A burns patient has lost a large area of skin and requires a skin graft. Doctors suggest using embryonic stem cells to grow replacement skin tissue for the patient. Explain why embryonic stem cells could be used to produce skin cells, and outline ONE ethical issue associated with using embryonic stem cells in this way.

> Edexcel A-Level Biology A: Salters-Nuffield (9BN0) — 2.1 Stem cells and cell potency · Explain · 5 marks

> Embryonic stem cells are obtained from very early human embryos. Scientists can culture these cells in the laboratory under specific conditions to direct their differentiation into a chosen cell type.

## Mark scheme (5 marks)

1. Embryonic stem cells are unspecialised / undifferentiated
2. Embryonic stem cells can differentiate into any cell type (are totipotent / have the potential to become any cell)
3. Cell differentiation allows the embryonic stem cells to become specialised skin cells
4. Correct ethical issue identified — e.g. the embryo is destroyed in the process of obtaining the stem cells
5. Ethical issue is developed — e.g. some people consider the embryo to be a human life / have moral or religious objections to destroying an embryo

## Key terms

- [embryonic stem cells](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/embryonic-stem-cells)

## Related

- [Revision notes for Edexcel A-Level Biology A: Salters-Nuffield (9BN0)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Explain" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
- [Practice this with AI marking (free)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/start)

---
Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/a-burns-patient-has-lost-a-bacecf79) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.