CiRA Reporter

The Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA) publishes irregularly newsletter in which our members contribute an essay on current bioethical issues for readers unfamiliar with the field.

 

 

Click here for the CiRA Reporter page

The Expanding Field of Exosome Therapy: Challenges of an Unregulated Market

April 15, 2025
Misao Fujita
The terms “exosome” and “stem cell culture supernatant” are becoming increasingly common. These substances are marketed as anti-aging products in drugstores and on social media, where they are advertised as regenerative medicine claiming to prevent or treat diseases.

The Beginning of Human Life

January 14, 2025
Go Okui *
When does human life begin? The everlasting controversy surrounding this question has continued to the present day over regulations concerning abortion and embryo research.

Questions Posed by HeLa Cells

July 1, 2024
Kayo Takashima
Do you know about HeLa cells, which have been used by researchers worldwide and have contributed to numerous biomedical advances?

Questions Raised About Research on Stem Cell-based Human Embryo Models

October 27, 2023
Kyoko Akatsuka
In recent years, rapid research advances have been made with in vitro embryo models that mimic a fertilized egg (embryo) from animal and human embryonic stem cells (ESC) and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC).

Data and Ethical Research

December 7, 2023
Masanori Oikawa*
Last year, John Snow’s work "On the Mode of Transmission of Cholera" (translated by Taro Yamamoto) was published by Iwanami Library.

The Meeting of Cutting-Edge Biomedical Science and Society

CiRA Reporter Vol.33
January 26, 2023
Jusaku Minari
Cutting-edge biomedical science —— including iPS cell research —— unveils the many mysteries shrouding life itself and uses that emerging knowledge to benefit humankind through advances in modern medicine.

“Ena-osame” and Science

CiRA Reporter Vol.32
October 24, 2022
Misao Fujita
The photos on this page show places in Kyoto City where the “ena” of two historical figures were buried according to legend.

The science and bioethics concerning bodies within a few hours after death

CiRA Reporter Vol.31
July 26, 2022
Go Okui *1
In recent years, the importance of early postmortem tissue samples for biological and medical research has increased due to the advances in the technology of genetic analysis.

Using surveys to connect science and society

CiRA Reporter Vol.29
January 31, 2022
Kyoko Akatsuka
Science and society have always had an essential relationship, and with science advancing at a more rapid pace, the need and opportunity for dialogue between the two has increased.

How to consider an unproven therapy

CiRA Reporter Vol.30
April 21, 2022
Kayo Takashima
With the coronavirus pandemic, you may have seen the term ‘unproven/unapproved’ more often in news reports about therapeutic drugs and vaccines. However, we may need to consider what exactly ‘unproven/unapproved’ treatment means.