In a Forum essay on April 4, commentator Jesse Reynolds heralded the use
of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells) as an advance that could end the
stem cell wars, but warns against the extremists on both sides who are more
interested in seeing the battle continue than in reaching a sensible solution.
He writes, "Advocates of stem cell research are downplaying iPS cells as
'hype' after years of routinely exaggerating the potential of embryonic stem
cells. Responding to commentators who voice hopes that the stem cell wars could
be drawing to a close, these enthusiasts have focused on the shortcomings and
early stage of research with iPS cells while ignoring the many remaining uncertainties
of embryonic stem cells."
