Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
The potential ability of iPSC to be used to clone human beings has stirred up much debate within the scientific community. While research on these cells will be extremely beneficial, many wonder how a rogue scientist would be prevented from using the cells to create a human clone, just as how mice were cloned previously. However, they overlook the fact that anyone bold enough to attempt this feat will face a loss of their career and other legal punishments, heavily discouraging the act. Rather than taking away the ability to study iPSC, laws have been put in place to prevent any possible misuse of pluripotent cells, whether it be used for cloning or any other unethical act.
iPSC's Cloning Issues
The picture above displays the use of iPSC to create a chimeric mouse.
iPSC Ethics
Though stem cells have the potential to immensely impact the field of regenerative medicine through its various therapies, the process of cultivating embryonic stem cells has stirred much controversy and debate within the scientific community. Due to the destruction of an embryo that is required to obtain ESC, many people deems this research unethical because it takes the life of a potential human being away. However, with the introduction of iPSC, a somatic cell now also has the ability to develop into a human. This now shared ability negates the argument that stem cells should not be cultivated due to their destruction of embryos. Additionally, iPSC provides an alternative source of stem cells that can be used in research and possible therapies.
ESC's Ethical Issues
The video depicted above describes the movement of iPSC to replace ESC in research and treament
Cost
While induced pluripotent stem cells may have the potential to become a life-saving medicine, many worry about the cost of research and therapy. Even if the practice was able to be applied in medicine, the price of such therapies would prove so expensive that it could only be afforded by the wealthy due to the expensive nature of patient-specific treatments. This creates a socioeconomic issue and concern over the availability of the treatment. However, because iPSC is more easily produced than ESC and has less restrictions on their research, iPSC may eventually overcome their expense and become a treatment affordable for many more economic groups.
The chart above displays the growth of the induced Pluripotent Stem Cell industry over 10 years.
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