Every cell contains identical DNA information for the larger organism, yet cells also diferentiate as they mature--into eye, or heart, or kidney cells. This happens because cells develop a kind of social identity according to their immediate context and what is needed for the health of the larger organism.... A cell that loses its social identity reverts to blind undifferentiated cell division, which can ultimately threaten the life of the larger organism. It is what we know as cancer.

Senge, Scharmer, Jaworski, Flowers. PRESENCE: HUMAN PURPOSE AND THE FIELD OF THE FUTURE.