# A patient has a condition that has destroyed the insulin-producing cells in their pancreas. Scientists are considering using either embryonic stem cells or adult stem cells to replace these damaged cells. Explain why embryonic stem cells would be more suitable than adult stem cells for producing the replacement pancreatic cells, and describe one ethical concern associated with using embryonic stem cells.

> Pearson Edexcel A-Level Biology A (9BI0) — 2.1 Stem cells and cell potency · Explain · 5 marks

> Stem cells are unspecialised cells that can divide and differentiate into specialised cell types. Two main sources of stem cells used in medical research are embryonic stem cells and adult stem cells.

## Mark scheme (5 marks)

1. Embryonic stem cells can differentiate into any cell type (they are totipotent/pluripotent)
2. Adult stem cells can only differentiate into a limited range of cell types
3. Therefore embryonic stem cells could be directed to differentiate into the specific insulin-producing pancreatic cells needed
4. Embryonic stem cells are obtained from early embryos, which are destroyed in the process
5. This raises ethical concerns because some people believe the embryo has the potential to become a human life / has the same moral status as a person

## Key terms

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

## Related

- [Revision notes for Pearson Edexcel A-Level Biology A (9BI0)](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)

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Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/a-patient-has-a-condition-that-1ab3276c) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.