What is a significant limitation that hiPSC aim to overcome in therapeutic applications?

Human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) are designed to address the ethical concerns surrounding the use of embryos in stem cell research and therapies. Traditional methods of obtaining pluripotent stem cells typically involve the destruction of human embryos, which raises significant moral and ethical dilemmas for many individuals and groups. By developing hiPSCs from somatic cells through reprogramming, researchers can generate pluripotent cells without the need for embryos, thereby circumventing ethical issues related to embryo use. This advancement not only alleviates ethical concerns but also expands the potential for regenerative medicine and therapeutic applications by providing a more ethically acceptable source of stem cells. This makes hiPSCs particularly advantageous in clinical settings where ethical approval and public acceptance are critical.