Science The Human Body Meta 13–14 yrs

Cancer & Stem Cells

癌症与干细胞

Description

Explain that cancer occurs when mutations in DNA disable normal cell-cycle controls, causing uncontrolled cell division and tumour formation; describe how stem cells differ from specialised cells and their potential for regenerative medicine; and evaluate the ethical debates around embryonic stem cell research and genetic testing

Mastery Evidence

✓ Explains cancer as the result of DNA mutations that disable tumour suppressor genes or activate oncogenes, causing unchecked mitosis
✓ Distinguishes stem cells (unspecialised, can differentiate) from specialised cells (fixed function) and explains why stem cells are medically valuable
✓ Presents the embryonic stem cell debate with at least two specific scientific arguments in favour and two ethical objections against, without simply asserting one side is correct

Assessment Prompt

If your child was asked to explain what cancer actually is at a cellular level, could they describe what goes wrong with cell division — and explain why some people object to using stem cells from embryos for medical research, even if it could save lives?