# Stem cells can be used in medicine to treat a range of diseases. Explain the benefits and risks of using stem cells as a medical treatment.

> Eduqas A-Level Biology — 1.6 Cell division · Explain · 5 marks

## Mark scheme (5 marks)

1. Stem cells can be used to treat a large variety of different diseases / repair damaged tissues
2. Stem cells are not rejected unlike donor organs / do not need to be matched to the patient
3. Risk of contamination or mutation of stem cells whilst being grown in the laboratory, which could be passed on to the patient
4. Stem cell therapy is relatively new so long-term risks are unknown / no guarantee that treatment will work
5. Ethical issues because embryonic stem cells must be harvested from embryos which are destroyed in the process

## Key terms

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

## Related

- [Revision notes for Eduqas A-Level Biology](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-92b45528) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.