ABSTRACT
Rules and ethical considerations regarding research on embryo models have been debated across numerous countries. In this paper, we provide insights from our attitude survey conducted among Japanese researchers, including members of the Japanese Society for Regenerative Medicine, and among the general public residing in Japan, the US, the UK, Canada, and Australia. Our survey revealed that many researchers expressed the need for clear guidelines for embryo model research. Furthermore, a minority but significant portion of the general public in each country expressed opposition to research on embryo models but did not oppose research involving real embryos.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: The rules for human fetal tissue (HFT) research in Japan are unclear. Methods: In this paper, we conducted a web survey to examine the attitudes of Japanese researchers (n=535) and the public (n=3,000) toward HFT research. Results: The results demonstrated that 5.8% of researchers and 18.8% of the public explicitly opposed HFT research, and 71.8% of the researchers thought that the rules for HFT research need to be clarified. Even among researchers who intended to consider conducting HFT research, 74.2% responded that the rules should be clarified. Although different from attitudes to make decisions regarding HFT donation, being non-religious and in their reproductive age among women in the public group were factors for accepting attitudes toward HFT research. Conclusion: To establish the rules, it is necessary to develop a system that can adequately protect vulnerable women who are asked to provide HFT.
ABSTRACT
The International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) has eliminated its prohibition on research involving the culturing of human embryos beyond 14 days within the updated 2021 guidelines. We conducted a survey of Japanese researchers working in stem cell- or embryo-related research (n = 535) and the public (n = 3,000) about their attitudes toward the 14-day rule. Among the researchers, 46.2% agreed that embryos could be cultured beyond 14 days, a result that was slightly lower among the public (37.9%). Among those that disagreed with embryo culturing beyond 14 days, 9.5% of researchers and 5.1% of the public agreed with culturing embryos within 14 days. Among the public, higher comprehension levels correlated with both agreement and disagreement with the culture of embryos beyond 14 days compared with "cannot judge." Further research and pubic discourse are necessary in order to better understand the factors informing participant decisions regarding the 14-day rule.
Subject(s)
East Asian People , Embryo Research , Public Opinion , Humans , Embryo, Mammalian , Stem CellsABSTRACT
This paper presents a comparison of the 2021 guidelines for stem cell research and clinical translation outlined by the International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) with the current regulations in Japan regarding the performance of such research. This paper provides a convenient English-language summary of the Japanese regulations, and illustrates the difference between the ISSCR guidelines and Japanese regulations regarding the conditions of implementation of study activities using human embryos or stem cells, for researchers outside Japan. The regulations governing the performance of research activities using human embryos or stem cells in Japan are relatively complex and comprise a range of laws and guidelines; the specific rules applied depend on the characteristics of each study. Therefore, even similar research activities may differ in terms of not only the guidelines or laws implemented, but also the procedures required. Such situations may confuse researchers.
