RESUMEN
The healthcare industry is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. Assisted reproductive technology is part of the larger healthcare sector, with its own heavy carbon footprint. The social, economic and environmental costs of this collective carbon footprint are becoming clearer, as is the impact on human reproductive health. Alpha Scientists in Reproductive Medicine and the International IVF Initiative collaborated to seek and formulate practical recommendations for sustainability in IVF laboratories. An international panel of experts, enthusiasts and professionals in reproductive medicine, environmental science, architecture, biorepository and law convened to discuss the topics of importance to sustainability. Recommendations were issued on how to build a culture of sustainability in the workplace, implement green design and building, use life cycle analysis to determine the environmental impact, manage cryostorage more sustainably, and understand and manage laboratory waste with prevention as a primary goal. The panel explored whether the industry supporting IVF is sustainable. An example is provided to illustrate the application of green principles to an IVF laboratory through a certification programme. The UK legislative landscape surrounding sustainability is also discussed and a few recommendations on 'Green Conferencing' are offered.
Asunto(s)
Huella de Carbono , Laboratorios , Humanos , Técnicas Reproductivas Asistidas , Fertilización In VitroRESUMEN
In 2011, courts in both the United States and European Union handed down decisions related to human embryonic stem cell (hESC) research. In both cases, the definition of research was challenged - but the two courts reached different opinions. In the US case, Sherley v. Sebelius, research was defined as a specific project. The US District Court of Appeals did not link research utilizing existing hESC lines to the act of destroying a human embryo in order to create the line, which is not eligible for federal funding. In contrast, the Court of Justice of the European Union in the Brüstle v. Greenpeace case determined inventions related to hESCs were unpatentable since they resulted from research that involved the destruction of human embryos. In this article, we will compare and contrast these two court cases, the politics related to the rulings, and their impacts. We find that these cases significantly impacted current research and have the potential to negatively impact future stem cell research and development. However, the long-term effects of the cases remain to be seen, and there is a chance that these cases could actually strengthen this area of science. Ultimately, we feel that stem cell polices must be straightforward and supported by the public to prevent courts and judges from making decisions on science, which are disruptive to the progression of research.
Asunto(s)
Unión Europea , Legislación como Asunto , Investigación con Células Madre/legislación & jurisprudencia , Comercio , Células Madre Embrionarias/citología , Humanos , Patentes como Asunto/legislación & jurisprudencia , Política Pública , Investigación con Células Madre/economía , Estados UnidosRESUMEN
The donation of human embryos for the derivation of embryonic stem cell lines that may be used in the development of therapeutic products raises more complex ethical, practical and regulatory problems than the donation of embryos for non-clinical research. This review considers these issues and offers recommendations for good practice.
Asunto(s)
Células Madre Embrionarias/trasplante , Obtención de Tejidos y Órganos , Animales , Línea Celular , Selección de Donante/ética , Células Madre Embrionarias/citología , Fertilización In Vitro , Humanos , Donadores Vivos/ética , Donadores Vivos/legislación & jurisprudencia , Manejo de Especímenes , Investigación con Células Madre/ética , Investigación con Células Madre/legislación & jurisprudencia , Trasplante de Células Madre/ética , Trasplante de Células Madre/normas , Bancos de Tejidos , Obtención de Tejidos y Órganos/ética , Obtención de Tejidos y Órganos/legislación & jurisprudenciaRESUMEN
This paper identifies issues which will need to be addressed in pursuing the aims and objectives of the European Classification of Infertility Taskforce (ECIT), namely: to establish classification codes for infertility management; to improve the consistency of infertility information collection by specialist centres, particularly but not exclusively by computerised systems; to use these codes to enable the transfer of infertility information from specialist centres to national infertility data registries; to develop a Grid linking the data held in European infertility data registries; to use Grid processing to mine the data in the European infertility data registries to optimise patient management improving the effectiveness of treatment and reducing the risk.
Asunto(s)
Redes de Comunicación de Computadores/legislación & jurisprudencia , Infertilidad/clasificación , Cooperación Internacional , Sistemas de Registros Médicos Computarizados/legislación & jurisprudencia , Mercantilización , Confidencialidad/legislación & jurisprudencia , Europa (Continente) , Humanos , Consentimiento Informado/legislación & jurisprudencia , Propiedad IntelectualRESUMEN
The European Classification of Infertility Taskforce (ECIT) has been formed by ESHRE to develop a set of infertility-related codes (descriptions, interventions and outcomes) appropriate for computerization (http://www.ecit.info). In this article, ECIT reflects on previous suggestions in this Debate series, agreeing with the weaknesses of the current terminology used in reproductive medicine. Although ECIT is enthusiastic about the extension of terminology, caution is raised in abandoning familiar terms that may lead to greater rather than less confusion. Instead, ECIT suggests a way forward using structured computerized statements to retain current terms but extend their meaning.