Upon their creation in 2006, induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells were intended to be a less controversial alternative to stem cells, since they were created in a lab instead of by the destruction of embryos. However, several recent studies have shown them to be a less optimal choice. The iPS cells died faster and were less apt to develop than embryonic stem cells. Also, their effects were compromised because they retained some information from when they were ordinary cells. Some iPS cell lines also exhibited genetic mutations. These concerns have led to doubts about their use in treatment, but not about their use in research. Unlike stem cells, iPS cells can support the creation of human neurons with varying genetic backgrounds.

Source: Reuters