Two independent groups of scientists at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and the National Institute of Biological Sciences in Beijing have successfully used reprogrammed Induced Pluripotent stem cells to create a live mouse. Induced Pluripotent stem cells (iPS) be reprogrammed to become any cell in the body and demonstrate similar features to embryonic stem cells. An advantage of using iPS cells instead of embryonic stem cells is the avoidance of using a human embryo, which has been highly controversial with ethical, moral, and religious implications. Another advantage of iPS cells is the ease at which they can be created. Scientists can generate these cells in a simple biochemistry lab with little equipment and materials.
Although iPS cells show promise, there are still major issues to work out before they can be used as a therapeutic agent. Currently, if iPS cells are used for genetic alteration, they carry a risk of triggering oncogenes (cancer-causing genes). Recent research shows that there is a strong chance of removing this possibility in the near future.
What are your thoughts?
