# Stem cells can be used in medicine to treat a range of diseases. Explain why embryonic stem cells are considered more useful for medical treatments than adult stem cells, and describe one ethical issue associated with using embryonic stem cells.

> WJEC A-Level Biology (Wales) — 1.2 Cell structure and organisation · Explain · 5 marks

> Stem cell therapy is a relatively new area of medicine. Stem cells can be sourced from embryos or from bone marrow in adults.

## Mark scheme (5 marks)

1. Embryonic stem cells can differentiate into any type of cell / are totipotent / are not restricted in the cell types they can become
2. Adult stem cells can only differentiate into similar cell types / are more restricted in the cell types they can become
3. This means embryonic stem cells can be used to treat a wider variety / larger range of diseases or damaged tissues
4. Embryos are destroyed when stem cells are harvested from them
5. This raises the ethical question of whether the embryo should be considered a person / when life begins

## Key terms

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

## Related

- [Revision notes for WJEC A-Level Biology (Wales)](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/stem-cells-can-be-used-in-6ce56198) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.