Fast and Furious: Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

 
Discuss the significance of iPS cells in stem cell research. Do you believe it would be better to use replace embryonic stem cells with iPS cells despite the success embryonic stem cells already have? What are the advantages or disadvantages? What problems do you think could occur with the usage of iPS cells? And how do you think we can solve these problems?

IPS (induced pluripotent stem) cells are very significant in stem cell research as they have great potential in regenerative medicine without the controversy associated with embryonic stem cells.  IPS cells which are reprogrammed from somatic cells are pluripotent cells with the ability to self-renew. These cells can be taken from any body part and can differentiate into different cells to create the tissue that is needed. A significance of iPS cell technology is that it allows creating cells that are genetically tailored for a patient’s need which reduces the chance of immune rejection. There has been more research on iPS cells in recent years; however, embryonic stem cells are currently safer and more popular. Looking at the advantages of embryonic stem cells, there is more knowledge on embryonic stem cells and they currently have a higher success rate. However, the technology of embryonic stem cells raises an ethical concern since most embryonic stem cells are from human embryos and many people believe that life begins at conception and that performing research on embryonic stem cells is morally unacceptable. iPS cells provide a less controversial way since they don't deal with destruction of an embryo. Also, iPS cells are cheaper and easier to use than embryonic stem cells since they are taken from our own body. I think it would be beneficial to invest more on iPS research and practice but not to completely replace embryonic stem cells with iPS cells because embryonic stem cells might have some benefits that iPS cells do not have. I think that with more research done on iPS cells, they might become more successful or as successful as embryonic stem cells in the future.

There are risks associated with iPS cells. For instance, iPS cells are associated with cancer and they can potentially trigger the expression of cancer causing genes. The abuse of iPS cells is another problem as well. Since iPS cells allow regeneration of tissues, humans might start to neglect their bodies and health (this is if iPS cells become very cheap). Any new technology has the potential problem but I think iPS cells are more beneficial as they hold potential to cure disease and repair damaged organs.