Because ethical concerns regarding embryonic stem cells typically are about their derivation from terminated embryos, it is believed that reprogramming to these "induced pluripotent stem cells" (iPS cells) may be less controversial.
Kuna embrüonaalsete tüvirakkude eetilised probleemid on just seotud nende saamisega embrüotest, usutakse, et reprogrammeerimine "indutseeritud pluripotentseteks tüvirakkudeks" võib olla sobivam lahendus.