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Hagan J, Giboney M. Forging the way: pioneering regeneration in volume 19 of Regenerative Medicine. Regen Med 2024; 19:1-4. [PMID: 38018447 DOI: 10.2217/rme-2023-0213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2023] Open
Abstract
We are delighted to welcome you to the 19th volume of Regenerative Medicine. In this foreword, we reflect on the content highlights from 2023 and discuss what we can look forward to in the year ahead.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasmine Hagan
- Future Science Group, Unitec House, 2 Albert Place, Finchley, London, N3 1QB, UK
| | - Megan Giboney
- Future Science Group, Unitec House, 2 Albert Place, Finchley, London, N3 1QB, UK
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de Graeff N, De Proost L, Munsie M. 'Ceci n'est pas un embryon?' The ethics of human embryo model research. Nat Methods 2023; 20:1863-1867. [PMID: 38057511 PMCID: PMC7615661 DOI: 10.1038/s41592-023-02066-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
Increasingly advanced in vitro stem-cell-derived human embryo models raise novel ethical questions and shed a light on long-standing questions regarding research on human embryos.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nienke de Graeff
- Department of Medical Ethics & Health Law, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands.
| | - Lien De Proost
- Department of Medical Ethics & Health Law, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
- Developmental Biology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Megan Munsie
- Stem Cell Biology Theme, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Gregg B. Might the bioethical principle of individual decisional autonomy have a politically liberalizing effect on soft authoritarian communities? Politics Life Sci 2023; 43:132-151. [PMID: 38567784 DOI: 10.1017/pls.2023.20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
According to the bioethical principle of individual decisional autonomy, the patient has a right of informed consent to any medical or experimental procedure. The principle is politically liberal by advocating significant individual freedom as guaranteed by law and secured by civil liberties. When practiced in illiberal communities, might it have a political liberalizing effect? I respond first by analyzing cross-national norms of individual decisional autonomy to identify tensions with illiberal community; second, by examining examining Singapore in a single case study to show that liberal bioethics does not promote political liberalization; and third, by showing that the possibility of practicing liberal bioethics in research, clinically as well as in education, does not require a democratic order, and that liberal bioethics is unlikely to encourage the liberalization of illiberal political communities. Hence, it may never contribute to the development of globally effective cross-national norms for the legal regulation of bioethical research and clinical practice. Fourth, to bolster this analysis, I anticipate several possible objections to various of its aspects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Gregg
- Department of Government, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
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Foreman AL, Liddell K, Franklin S, Jackson E, Rozeik C, Niakan KK. Human embryo models: the importance of national policy and governance review. Curr Opin Genet Dev 2023; 82:102103. [PMID: 37619506 DOI: 10.1016/j.gde.2023.102103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2023] [Revised: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/22/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
Integrated and non-integrated stem cell-based embryo models are becoming widely adopted tools in biomedical research with distinct advantages over animal models for studying human development. Although SCB-EMs have tremendous benefits for research, they raise a number of social, ethical and legal questions that affect future research and widespread adoption in industry and clinical settings. The 2021 International Society for Stem Cell Research Guidelines for Stem Cell Research and Clinical Translation provide helpful guidance on many of these issues but do not have force in domestic law. Careful appraisal and development of national legal and ethical frameworks is crucial. Paving the way to better regulation provides an ethical and social foundation to continue using human embryo models and to fully realise their potential benefits for reproductive medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy L Foreman
- Wellcome Trust, CRUK Gurdon Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1QN, UK; Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3DY, UK
| | - Kathleen Liddell
- The Faculty of Law, The David Williams Building, 10 West Road, Cambridge CB3 9DZ, UK; Cambridge Reproduction, University of Cambridge, Physiology Building, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK.
| | - Sarah Franklin
- Cambridge Reproduction, University of Cambridge, Physiology Building, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK; Department of Sociology, University of Cambridge, 16 Mill Lane, Cambridge CB2 1SB, UK.
| | - Emily Jackson
- London School of Economics and Political Science, Houghton Street, London WC2A 2AE, UK.
| | - Christina Rozeik
- Cambridge Reproduction, University of Cambridge, Physiology Building, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK
| | - Kathy K Niakan
- Cambridge Reproduction, University of Cambridge, Physiology Building, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK; The Centre for Trophoblast Research, Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK; Human Embryo and Stem Cell Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, NW1 1AT, UK; Wellcome Trust - Medical Research Council Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Jeffrey Cheah Biomedical Centre, Puddicombe Way, Cambridge CB2 0AW, UK; Epigenetics Programme, Babraham Institute, Cambridge CB22 3AT, UK.
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Trump BD, Cummings CL, Loschin N, Keisler JM, Wells EM, Linkov I. The worsening divergence of biotechnology: the importance of risk culture. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2023; 11:1250298. [PMID: 37711457 PMCID: PMC10499176 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2023.1250298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023] Open
Abstract
In the last 20 years, the field of biotechnology has made significant progress and attracted substantial investments, leading to different paths of technological modernization among nations. As a result, there is now an international divide in the commercial and intellectual capabilities of biotechnology, and the implications of this divergence are not well understood. This raises important questions about why global actors are motivated to participate in biotechnology modernization, the challenges they face in achieving their goals, and the possible future direction of global biotechnology development. Using the framework of prospect theory, this paper explores the role of risk culture as a fundamental factor contributing to this divergence. It aims to assess the risks and benefits associated with the early adoption of biotechnology and the regulatory frameworks that shape the development and acceptance of biotechnological innovations. By doing so, it provides valuable insights into the future of biotechnology development and its potential impact on the global landscape.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin D. Trump
- United States Army Corps of Engineers, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Christopher L. Cummings
- United States Army Corps of Engineers, Washington, DC, United States
- Department of Genetic Engineering and Society Center, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States
- Department of Sociology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, United States
| | - Nicholas Loschin
- Department of Genetic Engineering and Society Center, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States
| | - Jeffrey M. Keisler
- Department of Management Science & Info Sys, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Emily M. Wells
- United States Army Corps of Engineers, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Igor Linkov
- United States Army Corps of Engineers, Washington, DC, United States
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Rivron NC, Martinez Arias A, Pera MF, Moris N, M'hamdi HI. An ethical framework for human embryology with embryo models. Cell 2023; 186:3548-3557. [PMID: 37595564 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2023.07.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2023] [Revised: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/20/2023]
Abstract
A human embryo's legal definition and its entitlement to protection vary greatly worldwide. Recently, human pluripotent stem cells have been used to form in vitro models of early embryos that have challenged legal definitions and raised questions regarding their usage. In this light, we propose a refined legal definition of an embryo, suggest "tipping points" for when human embryo models could eventually be afforded similar protection to that of embryos, and then revisit basic ethical principles that might help to draft a roadmap for the gradual, justified usage of embryo models in a manner that aims to maximize benefits to society.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas C Rivron
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (IMBA), Vienna Biocenter (VBC), 1030 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Alfonso Martinez Arias
- Systems Bioengineering, DCEXS, Universidad Pompeu Fabra, Doctor Aiguader 88 ICREA (Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats), Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Naomi Moris
- The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, NW1 1AT London, UK
| | - Hafez Ismaili M'hamdi
- Department of Medical Ethics, Philosophy and History of Medicine, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
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Rugg-Gunn PJ, Moris N, Tam PPL. Technical challenges of studying early human development. Development 2023; 150:dev201797. [PMID: 37260362 PMCID: PMC10281548 DOI: 10.1242/dev.201797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Recent years have seen exciting progress across human embryo research, including new methods for culturing embryos, transcriptional profiling of embryogenesis and gastrulation, mapping lineage trajectories, and experimenting on stem cell-based embryo models. These advances are beginning to define the dynamical principles of development across stages, tissues and organs, enabling a better understanding of human development before birth in health and disease, and potentially leading to improved treatments for infertility and developmental disorders. However, there are still significant roadblocks en route to this goal. Here, we highlight technical challenges to studying early human development and propose ways and means to overcome some of these constraints.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter J. Rugg-Gunn
- Epigenetics Programme, Babraham Institute, Cambridge CB22 3AT, UK
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK
- Wellcome-MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge CB2 0AW, UK
| | - Naomi Moris
- The Francis Crick Institute, London NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Patrick P. L. Tam
- Embryology Research Unit, Children's Medical Research Institute, The University of Sydney, Westmead NSW 2145, Australia
- School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney NSW 2006, Australia
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