投稿者名:tagoaika

November 3, 2023 Potential Inheritable Effects and Ethical Considerations of Epigenome Editing Epigenome editing is an emerging technology used to regulate gene function by controlling epigenetic states at specific locations on the genome. This method is distinct from traditional genetic editing, which involves permanently altering the DNA sequence. Notably, the intervention effects of epigenome editing are thought to be reversible, making this technology particularly attractive for its potential therapeutic applications in the treatment of genetic disorders and chronic diseases. Although some researchers argue that it presents fewer ethical issues compared with permanent genome editing, especially in terms of its impact on offspring, the potential for transgenerational epigenetic inheritance has also been reported, suggesting that epigenetic changes could be inherited across generations in mammals. This study sought to examine the ethical and practical questions of epigenome editing

October 23, 2023 Exploring the Ethics of Transplanting Human Brain Organoids into Animals Studies using so-called “chimeric animals”, in which cells from one species are transplanted into another, have brought about a number of ethical concerns and considerations. This is especially true for research involving transplantation into animals of human brain organoids, which are three-dimensional brain tissue derived from human pluripotent stem cells. Although this area of research has seen tremendous progress over the last few years, only a few studies have examined the relevant ethical issues. A major source of controversy regards the potential for cognitive enhancement of the host animal, but a myriad of other issues remain. In light of this, the researchers have taken the proactive step of examining these issues, including some speculative issues, in order to guide future research and encourage understanding and management of the ethics of this research as developments continue. The st

May 10, 2023 Can Tiny Brain Tissues Legally Be a Person? Researchers Say Not Yet Should a “Brain Organoid” be treated as a person by law? (LAIMAN-ARIGA/Kyoto University the Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology) Grown in labs, human brain organoids are cultivated from stem cells, feed on nutrient broth and serve as a model of human brain development in miniature. Their growth and structure mimic portions of real brains, allowing scientists to better investigate the origins and potential treatments of neural diseases. How similar are they to actual human brains, though? Are they close enough to be considered people in their own right? The question is complicated in myriad ethical and moral ways, but researchers based in Japan and Taiwan propose that the legal lens may prove critical when understanding the potential personhood of human brain organoids. They published their argument for a legal framework to guide the conversation on April 3 in the Journal of Law a