# Stem cells can be used in medicine to treat a range of diseases. Evaluate the use of embryonic stem cells as a medical treatment.

> Eduqas A-Level Biology — 1.2 Cell structure and organisation · Evaluate · 5 marks

## Mark scheme (5 marks)

1. Benefit: stem cells can be used to treat a large variety of different diseases / repair damaged tissues
2. Benefit: stem cells are not rejected / do not need to be matched to the patient unlike donor organs
3. Risk: embryos are destroyed in the process of harvesting the stem cells, raising ethical issues
4. Risk: stem cells could be contaminated or mutated whilst being grown in the laboratory, which could be passed on to the patient
5. Risk: stem cell therapy is relatively new so long-term risks are unknown / no guarantee the treatment will work

## Key terms

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

## Related

- [Revision notes for Eduqas A-Level Biology](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Evaluate" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
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Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/stem-cells-can-be-used-in-8e2a084b) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.