CiRA Reporter

The Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA) publishes a quarterly 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 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.

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.

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.

Trusting Science

CiRA Reporter Vol.28
October 21, 2021
Masanori Oikawa
The COVID-19 pandemic has shown how much discord there is in the public about science. Disagreements about masks, social distancing and vaccines have led to massive protests and even violence. Yet a recent global survey by 3M found that people's confidence in science has actually improved compared to before the pandemic.

Relaxing the 14-day rule

CiRA Reporter Vol.27
July 29, 2021
Tsutomu Sawai
This past May, the International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) revised its guidelines for the first time in five years. Among the changes was a relaxation of the “14-day rule,” which prohibits a human embryo from being cultured past 14 days.

Engaging dialogue

CiRA Reporter Vol.26
April 30, 2021
Mika Suzuki
At least once every year, the Uehiro Research Division for iPS Cell Ethics visits junior high schools to directly teach students about iPS cells. (Since the COVID-19 pandemic, we have been conducting these events remotely.) These programs include lessons on the basic science, but they also include discussions on relevant ethical issues.

Peer-review and the COVID-19 Pandemic

CiRA Reporter Vol.25
January 29, 2021
Kazuki Ide
The publication of peer-reviewed papers is the primary way through which scientists publicly share their research findings. Before this happens, other experts will review the paper and decide whether the paper should be published (i.e. peer review).

The Fashion of Ethics

CiRA Reporter Vol.24
October 29, 2020
Jusaku Minari
In one of his books, the philosopher Kiyokazu Washida introduces the new potentials or implications of words. For example, he writes about the Japanese word “sara,” which roughly means “new” in English.