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Regulations on Genome Editing of Human Embryos in Japan: Our Moral Moratorium

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  30 May 2018

EISUKE NAKAZAWA ,
KEIICHIRO YAMAMOTO ,
ARU AKABAYASHI  and
AKIRA AKABAYASHI
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Abstract:

The use of human embryos in genome editing research has recently been approved in China and the United Kingdom. In Japan, the debate on regulations on genome editing research studies using human embryos is underway, but is becoming increasingly entangled, to the point of deadlock. One main reason for this is the misalignment between the Japanese government and the research communities, in their awareness surrounding these regulations. In this article, we report on this ongoing and entangled debate in Japan concerning the regulations on genome editing technology using human embryos. The most critically needed next step is a grassroots level discussion among various experts such as those in the arts and humanities.

Keywords

genome editinghuman embryosChinaUnited KingdomJapan
Type
Special Section: Bioethics Beyond Borders
Information
Cambridge Quarterly of Healthcare Ethics , Volume 27 , Issue 3 , July 2018 , pp. 360 - 365
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2018 

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References

Notes

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3. See note 2, Expert Panel on Bioethics, CSTI 2016, at 4.

4. See note 2, Expert Panel on Bioethics, CSTI 2016, at 4–5.

5. See note 2, Expert Panel on Bioethics, CSTI 2016, at 5.

6. See note 2, Expert Panel on Bioethics, CSTI 2016, at 5. Regarding genome editing technology used for enhancement, see also Yamamoto, K, Ibuki, T. Sanfujinka ryouiki ni okeru saisei iryou to genomu henshuu: Hito juseihai ni okeru genomu henshuu to sono rinriteki kadai [Regenerative medicine and genome editing in the field of obstetrics and gynecology: Genome editing with human embryos and related ethical challenges]. Rinsho Fujinka Sanka 2017;71(5): 471–75.Google Scholar

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9. See note 2, Expert Panel on Bioethics, CSTI 2016, at 6–7.

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13. See note 12, Council for Science and Technology 2004, at 5.

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22. See note 11, Expert Panel on Bioethics, CSTI 2017, at 13.

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24. See note 23, Expert Panel on Bioethics, CSTI 2017, at 9–10.

25. Recommendation: Wagakuni no igaku/iryou ryouiki ni okeru genomu henshuu gijutsu no arikata [The face of genome editing technology in the fields of medicine and medical care in Japan]. Science Council of Japan. 2017; available at http://www.scj.go.jp/ja/info/kohyo/pdf/kohyo-23-t251-1.pdf (last accessed 29 Sept 2017).