OCR General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) Biology Practice Exam

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What is a primary concern regarding the use of embryonic stem cells in research?

They are too expensive to obtain
They pose risks of genetic mutations
They involve the destruction of potential life
They are not very effective in treatments

The correct answer is: They involve the destruction of potential life

The primary concern regarding the use of embryonic stem cells in research is related to ethical considerations, particularly the involvement of the destruction of potential life. Embryonic stem cells are derived from early-stage embryos, and using these cells often raises significant moral and ethical questions about the status of the embryo. Many individuals and groups believe that embryos, even at this early stage of development, have the potential to become human beings and thus should be afforded a certain level of moral consideration. This perspective leads to the belief that using embryonic stem cells for research equates to taking a life, resulting in strong opposition from various ethical and religious viewpoints. In contrast, while there are indeed practical and scientific concerns associated with the other answer choices—such as the cost of obtaining stem cells, the potential for genetic mutations, and the effectiveness of treatments—these are secondary to the ethical implications surrounding the destruction of embryos. The concern about potential life impacts the discourse on the usage of embryonic stem cells more profoundly than the other factors mentioned.