All articles tagged with #bioethics
Novartis has reached a settlement with Henrietta Lacks' estate over the use of her HeLa cells in medical research, ending a dispute with undisclosed terms; the case highlights ongoing debates about consent and compensation tied to the iconic cell line used in biomedical advances since 1951.
Silicon Valley-backed startups are marketing embryo screening and editing services that claim to predict or enhance traits such as IQ and height for around $50,000. Backers include OpenAI’s Sam Altman, Peter Thiel and Brian Armstrong, while critics warn these efforts could create a privileged class of genetically enhanced humans and raise profound ethical and safety concerns. The piece cites experts who question the science, legal bans on human embryo editing in the US, and pioneers like He Jiankui as cautionary precedents, highlighting the tension between autonomy and potential inequality as the race to ‘accelerate evolution’ faces moral scrutiny.
A new report in Reproductive BioMedicine Online warns that reproducing in space is far from safe due to radiation, microgravity, and lunar dust, which may affect fertility, pregnancy, and offspring. It calls for a global ethical framework, better shielding, medical countermeasures, and advanced assisted reproduction tools before any long-duration missions, effectively delaying space births until safeguards are in place.
A proposed $1.6 million randomized trial funded by RFK Jr.'s HHS to study neonatal Hepatitis B vaccination in Guinea-Bissau would withhold vaccines from about 7,000 of 14,000 infants to compare outcomes; after international outrage, officials halted the study and pledged revisions, citing ethics concerns and potential non-specific harms.
As brain organoids become more complex and closer to mimicking human brain functions, leading scientists and bioethicists are calling for an international oversight body to address emerging ethical concerns, including potential consciousness, rights of cell donors, and animal welfare, amid rapid advancements and increased funding in the field.
Scientists warn that creating 'mirror life'—organisms with reversed molecular chirality—poses significant risks, including potential environmental invasion and unchecked replication, which could threaten humanity and ecosystems. Despite current safety measures, experts advocate for a global ban on such research to prevent irreversible harm.
Scientists warn that creating 'mirror life,' synthetic organisms with reversed DNA structures, could pose catastrophic risks to all life on Earth, prompting calls for a ban before such technology becomes feasible, due to potential ecological and health dangers.
Scientists warn that creating 'mirror life,' synthetic organisms with reversed DNA structures, could pose catastrophic risks to all life on Earth, prompting calls for a ban before the technology becomes feasible, due to potential ecological and health dangers.
Scientists warn that the development of 'mirror life,' synthetic organisms with reversed DNA structures, could pose catastrophic risks to all life on Earth, prompting calls for a ban before the technology becomes feasible, due to potential ecological and health dangers.
The Vatican appointed Msgr. Renzo Pegoraro as the new president of the Pontifical Academy for Life, succeeding Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia. Pegoraro, a respected bioethicist with a background in medicine and theology, has expressed views that suggest a potential shift in Church teachings on issues like contraception and assisted suicide, sparking mixed reactions among Catholic scholars and officials. The academy has historically been involved in debates over bioethical issues and Church doctrine, with recent controversies under Paglia's leadership.
The article discusses the ethical and scientific challenges of xenotransplantation, the process of transplanting animal organs into humans, highlighted by the case of a genetically engineered pig heart transplanted into a human. While this could potentially address the organ shortage crisis, significant hurdles remain, including organ rejection, ethical concerns about animal welfare, and the risk of zoonotic diseases. Bioethicist L. Syd Johnson emphasizes the need for informed consent and questions the prioritization of xenotransplantation over other medical advancements that could prevent organ failure.
Surgeon Christoph Haller and his team are developing an artificial womb to help extremely premature babies survive and avoid complications, using a pig fetus as a test subject. The technology aims to allow fetuses to mature more physiologically and could be a game changer in treating extreme prematurity. While generating excitement, the prospect of an artificial womb raises ethical concerns and questions about safety, candidacy, and moral status. The FDA is discussing the latest scientific efforts and ethical issues surrounding artificial wombs, while researchers are optimistic about the potential to save babies but acknowledge the need for careful regulation and consideration of potential misuse.
The Vatican's Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith has released a new document titled "Dignitas Infinita," which lists various grave violations of human dignity, including abortion, euthanasia, war, poverty, human trafficking, and digital violence. The document emphasizes the inalienable dignity of every human person and condemns practices such as surrogacy and gender theory. It also addresses issues like discrimination, sexual abuse, and the marginalization of differently-abled persons, urging respect for human dignity in all circumstances.
Chinese scientist He Jiankui, who was jailed for creating the world's first genome-edited babies, has resumed research on human embryo genome editing for treating genetic diseases while claiming to adhere to international rules. He aims to use discarded human embryos and comply with both domestic and international regulations, denying any current intent to produce more genome-edited babies. He emphasized the safety and health of the three genome-edited children, while expressing regret for the haste of his previous research. Genome editing is a technique involving precise modifications to genes, and various countries restrict the use of edited human embryos for creating babies.
Debate continues over the criteria for declaring brain death, as some argue that the current law, which requires "irreversible cessation of all functions of the entire brain," does not align with medical practice. While some advocate for revising the law to account for ongoing brain functions, others emphasize the importance of maintaining the current standards to ensure organ donation eligibility. The controversy has led to a pause in the process of rewriting the Uniform Determination of Death Act, with concerns about potential lack of conformity and the impact on organ donations.