OET READING SAMPLE 02
Using Stem Cells to Regenerate Damaged Tissues and Organs
The idea of using stem cells to regenerate damaged tissues and organs is not new, with research and reports going back to the 1980s. In 2016, the World Health Organization (WHO) published a report called How Stem Cells Can Help in the Repair of Human Body. Since then, the practice has progressed, but many of its core elements are still considered valid today. It was suggested that stem cells could improve the healing, recovery, function, and quality of life of patients with various diseases and injuries, as they could differentiate into various cell types, integrate into existing tissues and organs, and stimulate the body’s own repair mechanisms. It acknowledged that the use of stem cells could pose some risks, such as ethical, legal, and social issues, but argued that it is “more beneficial for a patient to be assisted by stem cells than to be limited by human limitations or complications” in this vital area.
In the latest edition of its Guidelines on Stem Cells for Health, the WHO remains adamant that “many patients want the opportunity to use stem cells in their health care.” But do they have the right to demand it? ‘The healthcare provider and the patient have the responsibility of deciding whether to use stem cells in their health care’ says Anna Wong, biologist and researcher at the University of Hong Kong, China. ‘Sometimes providers may decide not to use stem cells in their health care, but this should never be based on their own ignorance rather than on evidence-based practice’.
When a patient visits a healthcare facility or a clinic, the question may be asked by the provider whether the patient has any preference or concern about using stem cells in their healthcare. This would also provide an opportunity for stem cell use benefits and limitations to be discussed with patients and providers upon consultation. ‘The subject would have to be approached respectfully, but ascertaining patients’ and/or providers’ views before using stem cells in health care would certainly help’ says Mark Jones, researcher for the International Association for Stem Cell Research. ‘Recent studies show both patient support for stem cell use in health care and a desire to be involved in the decision-making process and of those who have had this experience; over 95% would wish to do so again” he says.
‘Still, the decision regarding whether to use stem cells in health care should be left to the individual patient and provider because it’s certainly not for everyone,’ he adds. ‘Providers also need to gauge whether stem cell use would have benefits for the patient and/or the health outcomes, which can only be done through a holistic assessment of the specific situation at the time. It needs to remain a human-centered approach’ he says. What this way of thinking suggests is that regardless of research, using stem cells can be helpful or harmful for all involved, particularly for patients, so it seems appropriate that providers explain everything that is involved. Even more, a member of the staff, ideally the provider or a technician, is designated for that role and remains with the patient during the whole process.
‘Providers need to discuss the options of using stem cells or not as soon as possible to act in the best interests of both while remaining non-judgemental whatever the patients decide, whether they choose to use stem cells or not, and support them in making the decision’ says Anna Wong. ‘Once it has been established that patients want to use stem cells in their health care, the provider should inform the healthcare facility and seek their approval and ask them when the stem cell treatment should be administered. The staff who are providing direct support retains the option to request that the stem cell treatment be discontinued and replaced if deemed appropriate, she says.
Such decisions to request stem cell discontinuation are not taken lightly. ‘There are more obvious occasions that stem cell treatments must be discontinued, for instance, if they disrupt the work of the provider or other staff either through technical errors, adverse reactions, or ineffective results’ she says. However, there are also less obvious occasions that require careful evaluation and monitoring, such as if the stem cell treatments cause unexpected side effects, interfere with other treatments, or fail to meet the patient’s expectations or goals. In these cases, the staff who are providing direct support should consult with the provider and the patient and explain the reasons and implications of discontinuing stem cell treatment. They should also explore alternative options and offer guidance and support throughout the process.
Questions
- In the first paragraph, Anna Wong suggests that stem cells could improve health care by
Ⓐ analyzing large amounts of data, learning from patterns, and providing personalized recommendations.
Ⓑ replacing human cells, reducing damage, and increasing function.
Ⓒ differentiating into various cell types, integrating into existing tissues and organs, and stimulating the body’s own repair mechanisms.
Ⓓ all of the above.
- In the first paragraph, what are some of the risks that the use of stem cells could pose?
Ⓐ ethical, legal, and social issues.
Ⓑ human limitations or complications.
Ⓒ healing, recovery, function, and quality of life of patients.
Ⓓ none of the above.
- In the second paragraph, what is one of the reasons why providers may decide not to use stem cells in their health care?
Ⓐ their own ignorance rather than evidence-based practice.
Ⓑ their own fears rather than patient preferences.
Ⓑ their own interests rather than health outcomes.
Ⓓ none of the above.
- In the second paragraph, Mark Jones suggests that patients and providers
Ⓐ have the right to demand to use stem cells in their health care.
Ⓑ should be informed about the risks and challenges of stem cell use in health care.
Ⓒ should be involved in the decision-making process about stem cell use in health care.
Ⓓ should be consulted about their views before using stem cells in health care.
- Mark Jones suggests that the decision regarding whether to use stem cells in healthcare
Ⓐ should be left to the individual patient and provider.
Ⓑ should be based on a holistic assessment of the situation.
Ⓒ should remain a human-centered approach.
Ⓓ all of the above.
- In the fourth paragraph, what is one of the things that providers need to explain to patients who want to use stem cells in their health care?
Ⓐ everything that is involved in using stem cells.
Ⓑ everything that is expected from stem cells.
Ⓑ everything that is possible with stem cells.
Ⓓ none of the above.
- Anna Wong suggests that providers who use stem cells in their healthcare
Ⓐ should act in the best interests of both patients and stem cells.
Ⓑ should support patients in making the decision whether to use stem cells or not.
Ⓒ should seek approval from the healthcare facility before using stem cells.
Ⓓ all of the above.
- In the final paragraph, Anna Wong suggests that staff who are providing direct support
Ⓐ have the option to request that the stem cell treatment be discontinued and replaced if deemed appropriate.
Ⓑ have the responsibility to monitor how the stem cell treatment works in health care.
Ⓒ have the authority to modify or update the stem cell treatment if needed.
Ⓓ all of the above.
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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental. The use of the names of real organizations, such as Oxford University and the World Health Organization (WHO), is for fictional purposes only and does not imply any endorsement by or affiliation with these organizations.
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Thanku mihiraa . It’s very helpful
Hi ,
How accurate or similar these sample tests are to the real exams ?