Stem cells may open the door to discoveries about many diseases and may allow treatments for diseases to be developed. However many ethical issues surround stem cell research which need to be addressed by scientists, governments, etc.
a. Explain why scientists would want to make induced pluripotent (iPS) stem cells instead of using embryonic stem (ES) cells that already exist. Be sure to address the following in your answer.
i. What ethical issues would be resolved by using iPS cells rather than ES cells?
ii. Explain how making iPS cells that are patient-specific stem cells could be beneficial for therapeutic use.
iii. Explain how iPS cells could be used to help screen for or develop drugs.
Scientists would want to make induced pluripotent (iPS) stem cells instead of using embryonic stem (ES) cells for several reasons. Here's an explanation of why:
i. Ethical issues: Using iPS cells instead of ES cells helps resolve ethical concerns related to the use of embryos. ES cells are typically derived from early-stage embryos, which raises ethical questions pertaining to the destruction of these embryos. By using iPS cells, which are reprogrammed adult cells, scientists can avoid the need for embryos altogether, addressing the moral concerns associated with their use.
ii. Patient-specific stem cells: Making iPS cells that are patient-specific stem cells can be highly beneficial for therapeutic use. By reprogramming the patient's own adult cells, scientists can generate iPS cells that closely match the patient's genetic makeup. This means that when these iPS cells are differentiated into specialized cells or tissues, they are less likely to be rejected by the patient's immune system. This personalized approach reduces the risk of immune rejection and opens up possibilities for effective cell and tissue therapies, such as regenerating damaged organs or replacing dysfunctional cells.
iii. Drug screening and development: iPS cells can be used to help screen for and develop drugs. By reprogramming adult cells, including those from patients with specific diseases, into iPS cells, scientists can create disease models in a laboratory setting. These iPS cells can then be differentiated into specific cell types affected by the disease of interest. By studying these disease-specific cells, researchers can gain insights into the underlying mechanisms of the disease and test the effectiveness of potential drugs without relying solely on animal models or human trials. This allows for a more targeted and efficient approach to drug development, potentially reducing costs and accelerating the discovery of new treatments.
In summary, using induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells) instead of embryonic stem cells (ES cells) helps address ethical concerns, allows for the generation of patient-specific stem cells for therapeutic use, and provides a valuable tool for drug screening and development. The versatility and potential of iPS cells make them a promising avenue for advancing medical research and treatments.