Tsutomu Sawai, a researcher at the Center for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University, conducted an awareness survey of the general public and researchers in Japan.Even those who said they would allow research on human-animal chimeric embryos infused with human cells into animal embryos were found to be of great concern about the inclusion of human cells in the animal brain and gametes.
The survey was conducted between February and April 2016, and responses were obtained from 2 ordinary citizens and 4 researchers.As a result, 520% of the general public and 105% of researchers answered that they would allow the production of human-animal chimeric embryos.In addition, 80.1% of the general public and 92.4% of researchers answered that they would allow the production of human-animal chimeras.
Traditionally, ethical issues have been discussed regarding human-animal chimeras.When human cells are included in the animal brain, cognitive function equivalent to that of humans may occur, and when human cells are included in the animal germ cell lineage, human-animal hybrids and animal-to-human Is the problem that may be born.
Therefore, in the survey, we asked about the resistance of animals to the inclusion of human cells in six organs, tissues, and cells: brain, liver, sperm / egg, skin, blood, and heart.As a result, it was found that the general public and researchers are particularly concerned about the inclusion of human cells in the brain, sperm and eggs.
In addition, we asked each organ how much (0-100%) human cells are allowed to be contained.As a result, 0% of the general public and 48.5% of researchers answered that human cells are not allowed to contribute to the brain at all (45.7%), and it is completely acceptable for human cells to contribute to germ cells. 0% of the general public and 52.1% of researchers answered that they would not be (74.3%).
Based on the results of this survey, it is necessary to consider measures to avoid problems related to humanization of the brain and gametes in human-animal chimera research.
