A research group led by Tsutomu Sawai, a researcher at the iPS Cell Research Institute of Kyoto University, is conducting "animal aggregate embryos (injecting human cells such as iPS cells and ES cells into animal embryos) research" using human iPS cells. We conducted an awareness survey of the general public and researchers.
"Animal collective embryo research" refers to a series of research conducted by injecting pluripotent stem cells such as human iPS cells into animal embryos that have been genetically manipulated to prevent the formation of specific organs.Through this research, it is expected that human organs will be produced in the body of animals and used for transplantation, drug discovery, elucidation of pathological conditions, etc. in the future.
Currently, in Japan, in the "Guidelines for Handling Specific Embryos", injecting human cells into animal embryos for the purpose of producing organs for transplantation to produce animal embryos is permitted only for basic research. , It is not allowed to develop the embryo for more than a certain period of time or return it to the uterus of an animal. Since the Bioethics Expert Committee (Cabinet Office, Council for Science and Technology Policy) decided to revise this guideline in 2013, the public opinion of the research has not been fully grasped.
Therefore, the research group conducted a questionnaire survey on the research, targeting the general public and researchers at the iPS Cell Research Institute.Animal collective embryo research
① Injection of human iPS cells into animal embryos
② Making animals with human organs
③ Transplantation to people who need organs
Divided into the above three stages, the research objectives of each stage are stated as "investigating the growth process and function of human ips cells", "useful for the development of drugs and treatments", "useful for people in need of transplantation", etc. I asked him at what stage he would be accepted.As a result, more than 3% of the general public (researchers are 80% or more) are involved in the production of animal embryos, and more than 90% of the general public are involved in the production of individual animal animals with human organs (researchers are 60%). % Or more) Answered that it was accepted.
The results of this survey show a higher tolerance than previous surveys in Japan, and it is clear that the majority of respondents accept more studies than are currently accepted in Japan.One of the factors that led to such survey results is thought to be that the research objectives of each research stage were specifically indicated.
