Stem cell research in a Catholic institution: yes or no?

New frontiers in retinal transplantation

New frontiers about retinal cell transplantation for retinal degenerative diseases start from the idea that acting on stem cells can help regenerate retinal layers and establish new synapses among retinal cells. Deficiency or alterations of synaptic input and neurotrophic factors result in trans-neuronal degeneration of the inner retinal cells. Thus, the disruption of photoreceptors takes place. However, even in advanced forms of retinal degeneration, a good percentage of the ganglion cells and the inner nuclear layer neurons remain intact. This phenomenon provides evidence for obtaining retinal circuitry through the transplantation of photoreceptors into the subretinal region. The eye is regarded as an optimal organ for cell transplantation because of its immunological privilege and the relatively small number of cells collaborating to carry out visual activities. The eyeball's immunological privilege, characterized by the suppression of delayed-type hypersensitivity responses in ocular tissues, is responsible for the low rate of graft rejection in transplant patients. The main discoveries highlight the capacity of embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and induced pluripotent stem cells to regenerate damaged retinal regions. Recent progress has shown significant enhancements in transplant procedures and results. The research also explores the ethical ramifications linked to the utilization of stem cells, emphasizing the ongoing issue surrounding ESCs. The analysis centers on recent breakthroughs, including the fabrication of three-dimensional retinal organoids and the innovation of scaffolding for cell transportation. Moreover, researchers are currently assessing the possibility of CRISPR and other advanced gene editing technologies to enhance the outcomes of retinal transplantation. The widespread use of universally recognized safe surgical and imaging methods enables retinal transplantation and monitoring of transplanted cell growth toward the correct location. Currently, most therapy approaches are in the first phases of development and necessitate further research, including both pre-clinical and clinical trials, to attain favorable visual results for individuals suffering from retinal degenerative illnesses.

Neural regeneration therapies for Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease-related disorders

Neurodegenerative diseases are devastating mental illnesses without a cure. Alzheimer's disease (AD) characterized by memory loss, multiple cognitive impairments, and changes in personality and behavior. Although tremendous progress has made in understanding the basic biology in disease processes in AD and PD, we still do not have early detectable biomarkers for these diseases. Just in the United States alone, federal and nonfederal funding agencies have spent billions of dollars on clinical trials aimed at finding drugs, but we still do not have a drug or an agent that can slow the AD or PD disease process. One primary reason for this disappointing result may be that the clinical trials enroll patients with AD or PD at advances stages. Although many drugs and agents are tested preclinical and are promising, in human clinical trials, they are mostly ineffective in slowing disease progression. One therapy that has been promising is 'stem cell therapy' based on cell culture and pre-clinical studies. In the few clinical studies that have investigated therapies in clinical trials with AD and PD patients at stage I. The therapies, such as stem cell transplantation - appear to delay the symptoms in AD and PD. The purpose of this article is to describe clinical trials using 1) stem cell transplantation methods in AD and PD mouse models and 2) regenerative medicine in AD and PD mouse models, and 3) the current status of investigating preclinical stem cell transplantation in patients with AD and PD.

Bioethics and multiculturalism: nuancing the discussion

In his recent analysis of multiculturalism, Tom Beauchamp has argued that those who implement multicultural reasoning in their arguments against common morality theories, such as his own, have failed to understand that multiculturalism is neither a form of moral pluralism nor ethical relativism but is rather a universalistic moral theory in its own right. Beauchamp's position is indeed on the right track in that multiculturalists do not consider themselves ethical relativists. Yet, Beauchamp tends to miss the mark when he argues that multiculturalism is in effect a school of thought that endorses a form of moral universalism that is akin to his own vision of a common morality. As a supporter of multiculturalism, I would like to discuss some aspects of Beauchamp's comments on multiculturalism and clarify what a multicultural account of public bioethics might look like. Ultimately, multiculturalism is purported as a means of managing diversity in the public arena and should not be thought of as endorsing either a version of moral relativism or a universal morality. By simultaneously refraining from the promotion of a comprehensive common moral system while it attempts to avoid a collapse into relativism, multiculturalism can serve as the ethico-political framework in which diverse moralities can be managed and in which opportunities for ethical dialogue, debate and deliberation on the prospects of common bioethical norms are made possible.

The ethics of stem cells revisited

Stem cells constitute one of the most promising tools for regenerative medicine. Thus, it seems morally compelling to explore all the sources that might provide us with them. However, some of these sources, such as somatic cell nuclear transfer, embryo destruction, or even induced pluripotency obtained by reprogramming have raised deep ethical issues. The aim of this paper is to reflect on the stem cell ethical debate at the current moment through an analysis of the academic literature. It will also provide an analysis of the ethical implications of the most relevant scientific advances that have happened in recent months or those which seem about to merge.

Complicity in stem cell research: the case of induced pluripotent stem cells

Many who object to human embryonic stem cell (hESC) research because they believe it involves complicity in embryo destruction have welcomed induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) research as an ethical alternative. This opinion article aims to show that complicity arguments against hESC research are prima facie inconsistent with accepting iPSC research as it is currently done. Those who oppose hESC research on grounds of complicity should either (i) oppose iPSC research as well, (ii) advocate a radical change in the way iPSC research is done, (iii) demonstrate that complicity arguments against iPSC research are weaker than those against hESC research or (iv) reject complicity arguments against both hESC and iPSC research, either by adopting a more limited conception of complicity that allows acceptance of some hESC research, or by accepting that destroying embryos for important scientific research is not wrong.

[A study on origin of genetic ethics problem and countermeasure]

The genetic ethical problem is one of problems which are the most disputable or difficult to resolve perfectly in the fields of life science. In these years the research for the problems is being concentrated on the types of genetic ethical problem and the ways to resolve them. But the systematic research for origin of genetic ethical problem is rare to be known. Thus it seems to be short of theoretical support to bring forward corresponding countermeasure. In this paper we focus on the evolving germ of genetic ethical problem and its evolving rule from the twofold views of human biological evolution and cultural evolution. A human being is a double offspring with biological evolution and cultural evolution . And he is a species which has both biological and cultural attribute on the earth. Through comparing and studying human biological evolution , cultural evolution, and characteristics of both biological attribute and cultural attribute, we bring forward a viewpoint that all ethical problems originate from a conflict originating from interplay of human biological evolution and cultural evolution. We intend to seek for the gist of theory and practice in order to research for genetic ethical problem and put forward some corresponding countermeasures. At the same time we'll advance a series of corresponding countermeasures of genetic ethical problem. The final aim in the paper is that not only some of our opinions will be admitted, but also through learning and understanding genetic ethical problem and its origin, the decision-makers and investigators in genetics field will be promoted to have more sense of fate and responsibility , so that the average public are able to misunderstand less and understand more for studying and genetics applying. We all work hard for genetics career to make it in healthy and continuing development and give a lot of happiness to human beings.