2023年7月27日 / Last updated : 2024年6月14日 ad_n Fujita group

Misao Fujita

MS, MPH, PhD
Head, Professor
Field：Medical ethics, Clinical psychology

Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology
Professor
ASHBi website

Message

iPS Cell is a leading-edge life science technology that was originally developed in Japan. We believe it is the responsibility of Japanese researchers to study ethical, legal, and social issues (ELSI) related to its clinical application and publish the results internationally. Drawing on all of the knowledge I have acquired on medical ethics, research skills, and clinical experiences, I am committed to developing the Uehiro Research Division for iPS Cell Ethics as a hub for ELSI research on iPS cells.

Biography

1992　Graduated from the College of Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba
1995　M.A. in Clinical psychology, The University of Idaho
1995　Clinical psychologist, Obitsusankei hospital
2003　MPH, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University
2004　Researcher in Center for Biomedical Ethics and Law,
          Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo University
2006　Ph.D in Public Health, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University
2008　Project Assistant professor in Department of Biomedical Ethics,
          Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo University
2009　Assistant professor in Department of Biomedical Ethics,
          Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo University
2013　Project Associate Professor, Uehiro Research Division for iPS Cell Ethics,
          Center of iPS Cell Research and Application
2018　Project Professor, Uehiro Research Division for iPS Cell Ethics,
          Center of iPS Cell Research and Application
          Professor, Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology

Position

  • Working Group on the Study of the Creation of Human Embryo-like Structures from Pluripotent Stem Cells, Expert Panel on Bioethics, the Cabinet Office’s Council for Science, Technology and Innovation (Member, 2023-2024)
  • Special Committee on Specified Embryo Research, Bioethics and Biosafety Committee, Council for Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (Member, 2023-)
  • Special Committee on Research Using Human Fertilized Embryos, Bioethics and Biosafety Committee, Council for Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (Member, 2023-)
  • International Society for Stem Cell Research, Informed Consent for Fetal Tissue Donation Task Force (Member, 2021-2022)
  • International Society for Stem Cell Research, Clinical Applications Theme Committee (Member, 2021)
  • BioBank Japan, Project for Genomic and Clinical Research, Advisory Board (Member 2021-2023)
  • Task Force to Update the ISSCR Guidelines, Working Group (Member, 2019-2020)
  • International Bioethics Committee, UNESCO (Member, 2018-)
  • Japanese National Commission for UNESCO (Member ,2018-)
  • BioBank Japan, Advisory Board (Member 2018-2021)
  • Expert Panel on Bioethics, the Cabinet Office’s Council for Science, Technology and Innovation (Member, 2017-)
  • Task Force for Revision of the Report on Fundamental Policy on Handling of Human Embryos, Expert Panel on Bioethics, the Cabinet Office’s Council for Science, Technology and Innovation (Member, 2017-2020)
  • The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (Advisor, participated in the IGBC of UNESCO, June 17-22, 2017; participated in IBC/COMEST of UNESCO, September 11-15, 2017)
  • Japan Association for Bioethics (Recommended Director, 2017-2020)
  • International Society for Stem Cell Research (Ethics Committee Member, 2016-)

Research activities

Selected publications

  1. Ikka T, Hatta T, Fujita M. Amendments to ASRM: Can we move away from a “Therapeutic Haven”? Stem Cell Reports. 2024; 19(12): 1648–1650. DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2024.10.006.
  2. Fujita M, Hatta T, Ikka T, Onishi T. The urgent need for clear and concise regulations on exosome-based interventions. Stem Cell Reports. 2024; 19(11): 1517–1519. DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2024.09.008.
  3. Ikka T, Hatta T, Saito Y, Fujita M. Does the act on the safety of regenerative medicine in Japan ensure "safety"?: Implications of low adverse event reporting. Stem Cell Reports. 2023; 18(12): 2297–2299. DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2023.10.012.
  4. Sawai T, Hatta T, Akatsuka K, Fujita M. Human genome editing in clinical applications: Japanese lay and expert attitudes. Frontiers in Genetics. 2023; 14:1205067. DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1205092.
  5. Gyngell C, Munsie M, Fujita M, Thiessen C, Savulescu J, Konstantinov EI. Ethical analysis of the first porcine cardiac xenotransplantation. Journal of Medical Ethics. 2024; 50(6): 363–367. DOI: 10.1136/jme-2022-108685.
  6. Akatsuka K, Hatta T, Sawai T, Fujita M. Genome editing of human embryos for research purposes: Japanese lay and expert attitudes. Frontiers in Genetics. 2023; 14:1205067. DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1205067.
  7. Ikka T, Fujita M, Hatta T, Isobe T, Konomi K, Onishi T, Sanada S, Sato Y, Tashiro S, Tobita M. Difficulties in ensuring review quality performed by committees under the Act on the Safety of Regenerative Medicine in Japan. Stem Cell Reports. 2023; 18(3): 613–617. DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2023.01.013.
  8. Urade M, Fujita M, Tsuchiya A, Mori K, Nakazawa E, Takimoto Y, Akabayashi A. Facts and recommendations regarding when medical institutions report potential abuse to child guidance centers: a cross-sectional study. Pediatric Reports. 2022; 14(4): 479–490. DOI: 10.3390/pediatric14040056.
  9. Urade M, Fujita M, Tsuchiya A, Mori K, Nakazawa E, Takimoto Y, Akabayashi A. Facts and recommendations regarding when medical institutions report potential abuse to child guidance centers: a cross-sectional study. Pediatric Reports. 2022; 14(4): 479–490. DOI: 10.3390/pediatric14040056.
  10. Murata M, Kawabe K, Hatta T, Maeda S, Fujita M. Current status of umbilical cord blood storage and provision to private biobanks by institutions handling childbirth in Japan. BMC Medical Ethics. 2022; 23(1). DOI: 10.1186/s12910-022-00830-8. 
  11. Fujita M, Hatta T, Ide K. Current Status of Cell-based Interventions in Japan. Cell Stem Cell. 2022; 29(9): 1294–1297. DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2022.08.003. 
  12. Sato H, Fujita M, Tsuchiya A, Hatta T, Mori K, Nakazawa E, Takimoto Y, Akabayashi A. Disclosing a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder without intellectual disability to pediatric patients in Japan in early diagnostic stages and associated factors: a cross-sectional study. BioPsychoSocial Medicine. 2022; 16. DOI: 10.1186/s13030-022-00247-0.
  13. Barker RA, Boer GJ, Cattaneo E, Charo RA, Chuva de Sousa Lopes SM, Cong Y, Fujita M, Goldman S, Hermerén G, Hyun I, Lisgo S, Rosser AE, Anthony E, Lindvall O. The need for a standard for informed consent for collection of human fetal material. Stem Cell Reports. 2022; 17(6):1245–1247. DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2022.05.013. 
  14. Hatta T, Ide K, Fujita M, Ikka T. Financial risks posed by unproven stem cell interventions: Estimation of refunds from medical expense deductions in Japan. Stem Cell Reports. 2022; DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2022.03.015.
  15. Sawai T, Hatta T, Akatsuka K, Fujita M. Public attitudes in Japan toward the creation and use of gametes derived from human-induced pluripotent stem cells. Future Science OA. 2021; DOI: 10.2144/fsoa-2021-0066.
  16. Akatsuka K, Hatta T, Sawai T, Fujita M. Public attitudes in Japan toward the reproductive use of gametes derived from human-induced pluripotent stem cells. Future Science OA. 2021; DOI: 10.2144/fsoa-2021-0065.
  17. Lovell-Badge R, Anthony E, Barker RA, Bubela T, Brivanlou AH, Carpenter M, Charo RA, Clark A, Clayton E, Cong Y, Daley GQ, Fu J, Fujita M, Greenfield A, Goldman SA, Hill L, Hyun I, Isasi R, Kahn J, Kato K, Kim J-S, Kimmelman J, Knoblich JA, Mathews D, Montserrat N, Mosher J, Munsie M, Nakauchi H, Naldini L, Naughton G, Niakan K, Ogbogu U, Pedersen R, Rivron N, Rooke H, Rossant J, Round J, Saitou M, Sipp D, Steffann J, Sugarman J, Surani A, Takahashi J, Tang F, Turner L, Zettler PJ, Zhai X．ISSCR guidelines for stem cell research and clinical translation: The 2021 update. Stem Cell Reports. 2021; DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2021.05.012.
  18. Hyun I, Clayton EW, Cong Y, Fujita M, Goldman SA, Hill LR, Monserrat N, Nakauchi H, Pedersen RA, Rooke HM, Takahashi J, Knoblich JA. ISSCR guidelines for the transfer of human pluripotent stem cells and their direct derivatives into animal hosts. Stem Cell Reports. 2021; DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2021.05.005.
  19. Ide K, Matsuoka N, Fujita M. Ethical aspects of brain organoid research in news reports: An exploratory descriptive analysis. Medicina. 2021; 57(6):532. DOI: 10.3390/medicina57060532.
  20. Ide K, Koshiba H, Hawke P, Fujita M. Guidelines are urgently needed for the use of preprints as a source of information. J Epidemiol. 2020, 2021; 31(1). 97–99. DOI: 10.2188/jea.JE20200506.
  21. Crane AT, Shen FX, Brown JL, Cormack W, Ruiz-Estevez M, Voth JP, Sawai T, Hatta T, Fujita M, Low WC. The American public is ready to accept human-animal chimera research. Stem Cell Reports. 2020;15(4): 804–810. DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2020.08.018.
  22. Sawai T, Minakawa T, Pugh J, Akatsuka K, Yamashita JK, Fujita M. The moral status of human embryo‐like structures: potentiality matters?. EMBO Reports. 2020; 20(8): 32–36. DOI: 10.15252/embr.202050984.
  23. Sawai T, Sakaguchi H,Thomas E, Takahashi J, Fujita M. The ethics of cerebral organoid research: Being conscious of consciousness. Stem Cell Reports 13(3): 440–447. DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2019.08.003.
  24. Ozeki-Hayashi R, Fujita M, Tsuchiya A, Hatta T, Nakazawa E, Takimoto Y, Akabayashi A. Beliefs held by breast surgeons that impact the treatment decision process for advanced breast cancer patients: a qualitative study. Breast Cancer: Targets and Therapy. 2019; 11: 221–229. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2147/BCTT.S208910.
  25. Sawai T, Hatta T, Fujita M. Japan significantly relaxes its human-animal chimeric embryo research regulations. Cell Stem Cell 24 (4): 513-514. DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2019.03.015.
  26. Fujita M, Tabuchi K. A rebuttal to Akabayashi and colleagues’ criticisms of the iPSC stock project. Journal of Medical Ethics. 2019; DOI: 10.1136/medethics-2018-105248.
  27. Sawai T, Hatta T, Fujita M. The Japanese generally accept human-animal chimeric embryo research but are concerned about human cells contributing to brain and gametes. Stem Cells Translational Medicine. 2017; DOI: 10.1002/sctm.17-0128.
  28. Sawai T, Hatta T, Fujita M. “Public attitudes in Japan towards human-animal chimeric embryo research using human induced pluripotent stem cells.” Regenerative Medicine, DOI: 10.2217/rme-2016-0171.
  29. Takashima K, Takimoto Y, Nakazawa E, Hayashi Y, Tsuchiya A, Fujita M, Akabayashi A. Discovery and informing study participants of incidental findings detected in brain magnetic resonance imaging studies: Review and multi-institutional study. Brain and Behavior. 2017; DOI: 10.1002/brb3.676.
  30. Sawai T, Fujita M. The Problem of Dual Use in Relation to Decoded Neurofeedback. AJOB Neuroscience. 2016; 7(4): W4-W5. DOI: .
  31. Kashihara H, Nakayama T, Hatta T, Takahashi N, Fujita M. Evaluating the quality of website information on private-practice clinics offering cell therapies in Japan. interactive Journal of Medical Research. 2016; 5(2):e15. DOI: 10.2196/ijmr.5479.
  32. Fujita M, Hatta T, Ozeki R, Akabayashi A. The current status of clinics providing private practice cell therapy in Japan. Regenerative Medicine 2016;11(1):23–32. DOI: 10.2217/rme.15.64.
  33. Takahashi S, Fujita M, Akabayashi A. “Mottainai” embryos and the earthquake. Journal of Clinical Research and Bioethics. 2015;7:258
  34. Ikka T, Fujita M, Yashiro Y, Ikegaya H. Recent Court Ruling in Japan Exemplifies Another Layer of Regulation for Regenerative Therapy. Cell Stem Cell 2015; 17(5): 507–508. DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2015.10.008.
  35. Fujita M, Hatta T, Sawai T, Takahashi J. Risk of Tumorigenesis and Patient Hope. AJOB Neuroscience 2015; 6:69-70. DOI: 10.1080/21507740.2014.991851.
  36. Fujita M, Hayashi Y, Tashiro S, Takashima K, Nakazawa E, Akabayashi A. Handling incidental findings in neuroimaging research in Japan: current state of research facilities and attitudes of investigators and the general population. Health Research Policy and Systems 2014; 12:58. DOI: 10.1186/1478-4505-12-58.
  37. Fujita M, Yashiro Y, Suzuki M. Throwing the baby out with the bathwater: a critique of Sparrow’s inclusive definition of the term ‘in vitro　eugenics’. J Med Ethics. 2013 Aug 28. DOI: 10.1136/medethics-2013-101681.
  38. Akabayashi A, Fujita M. The present and future of stem cell therapy in Japan. In: Uehiro T (ed). Ethics for the Future of Life, 9–19. Oxford Uehiro Center for Practical Ethics; 2013.
  39. Takahashi S, Fujita M, Fujimoto A, Fujiwara T, Yano T, Tsutsumi O, Taketani Y, Akabayashi A. The decision-making process for the fate of frozen embryos by Japanese infertile women: a qualitative study. BMC Medical Ethics 2012; 13:9. DOI: 10.1186/1472-6939-13-9.
  40. Fujita M, Matsui K, Monden M, Akabayashi A. Attitudes of medical professionals and transplant facilities toward living-donor liver transplantation in Japan. Transplantation Proceedings 2010; 42:1453–1459. DOI: 10.1016/j.transproceed.2009.12.072.
  41. Fujita M, Slingsby BT, Akabayashi A. Transplant tourism from Japan. American Journal of Bioethics 2010; 10(2):24–26. DOI: 10.1080/15265160903506384.
  42. Fujita M, Kodama S, Akabayashi A. Ten years after the organ transplant act: Current situation in Japan. IAB News 2008; 20: 5.
  43. Nagao N, Aulisio MP, Nukaga Y, Fujita M, Kosugi S, Youngner S, Akabayashi A. Clinical Ethics Consultation: Examining how American and Japanese experts analyze an Alzheimer’s case. BMC Med Ethics 2008; 9: 2.
  44. Fujita M, Akabayashi A, Slingsby BT, Kosugi S, Fujimoto Y, Tanaka K. A model of donors’ decision-making in adult-to-adult living donor liver transplantation in Japan: having no choice. Liver Transplantation 2006;12:768–774.
  45. Fujita M, Slingsby BT, Akabayashi A: Three patterns of voluntary consent in the case of adult-to-adult living related liver transplantation in Japan. Transplantation Proceedings 2004:36;1425–1428.
  46. Akabayashi A, Fujita M, Slingsby BT: The first donor death of living related liver transplantation in Japan. Transplantation 2004;77:634.
  47. Akabayashi A, Nishimori M, Fujita M, Slingsby BT: Living related liver transplantation: A Japanese experience and development of a checklist for donors’ informed consent. Gut 2003;52:152.