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During the past 4 years, scientists have discovered how to “reprogram” a person's adult cells into induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells that can be coaxed into becoming one's own genetically identical cells that might be capable of replacing cells lost to disease (e.g., neurons lost to stroke or cardiomyocytes lost to infarction; JW Gen Med Dec 29 2008).
However, in three new studies, researchers report that iPS cells often contain genetic modifications (e.g., point mutations, copy number variations) and epigenetic modifications that could render iPS cells cancerous or cause them to self-destruct after continued division. The authors urge that any iPS cells being considered for use in human therapy first be screened carefully for such change…