Question

There is a third type of stem cell called induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSCs). I'd like for you to review the following video and resource and tell us how these stem cells are different from adult or embryonic stem cells. Do you think that the use of these types of cells could reduce some of the ethical issues that come up when we discuss stem cells?

UCLA: Broad Stem Cell Research Center. (2016). Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPS). https://stemcell.ucla.edu/induced-pluripotent-stem-cells (Links to an external site.)

Video Reference: Ted-Ed. (2013, September 10). What are stem cells? [Video] YouTube. https://youtu.be/evH0I7Coc54

Reply

Answer 1

how induced pluripotent stem cells (ipsc) are different from adult or embryonic stem cells:

regenerative medicine creates stem cells to work instead of damaged or dead cells and tissues in the human body for the purpose of treatment of various diseases. though stem cells have no specific structure and functions, these cells can act as other cells in the body instead of the dead cells. induced stem cells are regular cells of the skin, liver and fat tissues that are exchanged to act like embryonic stem cells to become any other cells of the body. these cells function in the human body when it is healthy or unhealthy.

ethical issues:

since these stem cells production, does not cause a destruction of embryos, it is ethical to use these cells.

it would be unethical if these stem cells are used:

• in the production of embryo and human germ cells
• cloning