Final answer:
It is TRUE that embryonic stem cells can be rejected by an individual's immune system due to recognition of the cells as foreign. Adult stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells present alternatives that mitigate this risk.
Step-by-step explanation:
A disadvantage of using embryonic stem cells is that they may be rejected by an individual's immune system. This statement is TRUE. When cells or tissues are transplanted from one individual to another, there is a risk of immune rejection.
This is because the recipient's immune system may recognize the proteins on the surface of the transplanted cells as foreign and initiate an attack against them, similar to how it would react to pathogens or incompatible organs.
Embryonic stem cells, unless derived from the patient or genetically matched, are likely to be seen as foreign by the recipient's immune system, increasing the risk of rejection.
In comparison, adult stem cells isolated from the patient themselves are usually not seen as foreign by the body, thus avoiding this immune response.
Moreover, induced pluripotent stem cells are a promising avenue as they can be derived from the patient's own cells and reprogrammed, thus bypassing immunological issues associated with embryonic stem cells.
Additionally, some parents choose to bank multipotent stem cells such as those from the umbilical cord or baby teeth, to potentially use for their child in the future without the worry of immune rejection.