Embryonic stem cell

Function: can be cloned and made to differentiate into most different types of human cells

Location: Early human embryos

Uses: Therapeutic Cloning ~ Embryo has same genetic info as patient so the cells don’t get rejected

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Pros

Could help conditions such as diabetes and paralysis.

Stem cells from the embryo are not rejected by the patient’s body so are used for medical treatment.

Curing existing patients who are suffering is more important than the rights of an embryo

Usually use unwanted embryos which would have been destroyed

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Cons

embryo can't give consent

destroying a potential life

Stem cells grown in a lab could become contaminated with a virus that would be passed on to the patient

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Adult stem cells

Function: Stem cells from adult bone marrow can form many types of cells including blood cells.

Location: Mainly bone marrow but throughout the human body in small moments for repair

Uses: To replace faulty cells in the patient who receives them eg. diabetes or paralysis

Meristems

Function: Differentiates into any type of plant cell throughout the life of the plant.

Location: Tips of the roots and shoots

Uses: Produce clones of plants quickly, rare species can be cloned to protect from extinction, to clone crops with disease resistance to produce large numbers of identical plants for farmers.