Researchers were able to use stem cells to gauge the neurotoxic effects of the environmental pollutant Bisphenol A (BPA). They used a combination of biochemical and cell-based as says to examine the gene expression profile during the differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells upon treatment with BPA, a compound known to cause heart diseases, diabetes, and developmental abnormalities in humans. They were able to detect and measure BPA toxicity towards the proper specification of primary germ layers, such as endoderm and ectoderm, and the establishment of neural progenitor cells.
On the basis of the passage given above, the following assumptions have been made:
1. BPA may alter embryonic development in vivo.
2. Biochemical and cell-based assays are useful in finding out treatments for pollution-induced diseases.
3. Embryonic stem cells could serve as a model to evaluate the physiological effects of environmental pollutants.
Which of the above assumptions are valid?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
