Having extra chromosomes is typically an issue for an organism and can disrupt development or cause disease. But some cells benefit instead. For example, cancer cells or pathogenic yeasts can use extra chromosomes to escape treatment and become drug-resistant. Having extra chromosomes is typically an issue for an organism and can disrupt development or cause disease. But some cells benefit instead. For example, cancer cells or pathogenic yeasts can use extra chromosomes to escape treatment and become drug-resistant. Cell & Microbiology Molecular & Computational biology Phys.org – latest science and technology news stories