ABSTRACT
In the rapidly moving field of stem cell and embryo research, research questions often sit at the intersection of scientific inquiry and ethical considerations. The International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) produces guidelines to help navigate decisions in this area. For Cell's 50th Anniversary Focus on Developmental Biology, scientific editor Sarah Geisler discussed the importance of the ISSCR guidelines on stem cell and embryo research for both the stem cell community and the broader public with Amander Clark, Robin Lovell-Badge, and Janet Rossant, who have been involved in the ongoing evolution of the guidelines. A lightly edited transcript of their conversation is shared here.
Subject(s)
Embryo Research , Societies, Scientific , Stem Cell Research , Humans , Stem Cell Research/ethics , Embryo Research/ethics , Guidelines as TopicABSTRACT
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.
Subject(s)
Embryo Research , Embryo, Mammalian , Humans , Pluripotent Stem Cells , Embryo Research/ethicsSubject(s)
Embryo Research , Guidelines as Topic/standards , Stem Cell Research , Animals , Embryo Research/ethics , Embryo, Mammalian , Gene Editing/standards , Humans , Mitochondrial Replacement Therapy/standards , Models, Biological , Organoids , Societies, Scientific/standards , Stem Cell Research/ethics , Translational Science, Biomedical/standardsABSTRACT
Embryo-like structures (ELS) are intended for the study of embryonic development without the use of human supernumerary embryos. Scientists working in countries that do not allow research on embryos hope that these structures will replace natural embryos. The interest in ELS is largely based on two misconceptions: the belief that there is a shortage of research embryos and the belief that research on ELS will make research on natural embryos redundant. This paper argues that research efforts should be refocused on natural embryos.
Subject(s)
Embryo Research , Embryo, Mammalian , Fertilization in Vitro , Humans , Embryo Research/ethics , Embryonic Development/physiology , FemaleABSTRACT
There are four major positions on human embryonic stem cell research in the different member states of the European Union, ranging from permissive to very restrictive. This reflects the diversity of research systems within Europe and poses a challenge to developing a common European research policy.
Subject(s)
Embryo Research/ethics , Embryo Research/legislation & jurisprudence , Europe , HumansSubject(s)
Chimera/embryology , Embryo Research/ethics , Embryo, Mammalian/embryology , Macaca fascicularis/embryology , Animals , Cattle , Cell Communication , Embryo Research/economics , Embryo, Mammalian/cytology , Fertilization , Humans , Mice , National Institutes of Health (U.S.)/legislation & jurisprudence , Organoids/embryology , Pluripotent Stem Cells/cytology , Rats , Research Support as Topic/legislation & jurisprudence , Species Specificity , Swine/embryology , Time Factors , United StatesSubject(s)
Embryo Research/ethics , Embryo Research/legislation & jurisprudence , Guidelines as Topic , Human Rights/legislation & jurisprudence , Patient Advocacy , Stem Cell Research/ethics , Stem Cell Research/legislation & jurisprudence , Abortion, Spontaneous , Congenital Abnormalities , Female , Humans , Infertility/therapy , Male , Patient Advocacy/ethics , Patient Advocacy/legislation & jurisprudenceSubject(s)
Embryo Research/ethics , Embryo Research/legislation & jurisprudence , Embryo, Mammalian/embryology , Abortion, Spontaneous/genetics , Abortion, Spontaneous/pathology , Aneuploidy , Animals , Blastocyst/cytology , Body Patterning , Cell Culture Techniques , Congenital Abnormalities , Embryo, Mammalian/cytology , Embryo, Mammalian/pathology , Ethics, Research , Female , Fertilization in Vitro , Gastrulation , Human Embryonic Stem Cells/cytology , Humans , Mice , Models, Biological , Organogenesis , Pregnancy , Primitive Streak/embryology , Time FactorsSubject(s)
Embryo Research/ethics , Embryo Research/legislation & jurisprudence , Embryo, Mammalian , Internationality , Societies, Scientific , Stem Cell Research/ethics , Stem Cell Research/legislation & jurisprudence , Tissue Culture Techniques , Embryo, Mammalian/cytology , Embryo, Mammalian/embryology , Female , Gene Editing/ethics , Gene Editing/legislation & jurisprudence , Guidelines as Topic , Humans , Male , Mitochondrial Replacement Therapy , Ovum/cytology , Ovum/metabolism , Spermatozoa/cytology , Spermatozoa/metabolism , Time Factors , Tissue Culture Techniques/ethics , Tissue Culture Techniques/methods , Twins/genetics , United StatesABSTRACT
The amazing power of CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing tools and other related technologies has impacted all areas of biology today. It has also raised ethical concerns, particularly with regard to the possibility of generating heritable changes in the human genome - so-called germline gene editing. Although technical and safety issues suggest that this approach is far from clinical application, gene editing as a research tool is moving forward in human embryos, non-human primates and in stem cell-derived embryoids. These studies are already providing new information relevant to our understanding of normal human development, infertility, early pregnancy loss and pluripotent stem cell origins.