2024.09.21

【Jan. 11, 2025】Hiroshima University Kiteminsai-Lab（on site venue）（Hybrid）　ELSI Workshop  “Considering Hereditary Tumors and PGT-M Together with Those Involved”

In this workshop, we will examine the challenges and benefits of the current PGT-M (preimplantation genetic testing for monogenic diseases) application system in Japan from the perspective of individuals affected by hereditary cancer. As we enter the era of personalized medicine, it is anticipated that more individuals with hereditary cancer will take an interest in PGT-M in the near future. To address this, the workshop aims to bridge informational gaps and ensure that these individuals have access to appropriate knowledge. Additionally, we will provide a platform for affected individuals to lead discussions on the current state of affairs. The workshop will feature presentations by four experts on hereditary tumors and PGT-M, followed by active discussions with participants. A representative from a patient advocacy group will share insights into the current situation, including insurance coverage for genetic testing, and discuss the anticipated increase in PGT-M-related inquiries within their organizations, along with strategies and future prospects for addressing these issues.　A medical professional will provide an overview of the techniques involved in preimplantation genetic testing (PGT-A, PGT-SR, and PGT-M), focusing on their safety, patient burden, and historical background. An individual who has undergone the PGT-M application process through the Japan Society of Obstetrics...

2024.09.19

【Nov. 11-12, 2024】National University of Singapore（Hybrid）　International Symposium on Bioethics 2024 “Ethical, Legal, and Social issues of Human Brain Organoid Research and Application”

Here is the link to the details: https://medicine.nus.edu.sg/cbme/ethical-legal-and-social-issues-of-human-brain-organoid-research-and-application/

2024.09.17

【Oct. 10, 2024】Phoenix International Center MIRAI CREA, Hiroshima University（Hybrid）　ELSI seminar ”Scientific Communication for Correctly Understanding Food Risks”

Speaker：Takeshi Yamasaki, Chairman, NPO Science of Food Safety and Security Many consumers have suffered health problems as a result of inadvertently consuming red yeast rice supplements that were promoted with claims such as “Lowers blood cholesterol with natural health foods.” On the other hand, despite appropriate risk assessment and risk management being conducted, genetically modified and genome-edited foods tend to be avoided by consumers due to concerns like “Will they cause unforeseen diseases in the future?” or “Are they dangerous because they are subject to legal regulation?” These phenomena are due to consumer risk perception bias, but at the same time, there is a need for attention to ethical, legal, and social issues (ELSI) on a societal level, as well as the practice of responsible research and innovation (RRI). In this lecture, in addition to discussing science communication methods to correct consumer risk perception bias, I would like to engage with you on how research and innovation should fulfill social responsibility.

2024.09.16

【Sep. 26, 2024 Online-only event】Second Seminar of 2024 in Advanced Science Seminar Series of Hiroshima University Wise Program　“Generation of Human Disease Model Mice Using the i-GONAD Method and Analysis of Their Pathogenesis”

Speaker：Kazushi Aoto, Associate Professor（Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University） Using the i-GONAD method, a simple approach for generating mutant mice by combining CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing and electroporation, we have produced numerous human disease model mice and rats and conducted pathogenesis analyses. In this seminar, we will focus on the creation and pathogenesis analysis of a model mouse for epileptic encephalopathy. Additionally, we will also introduce attempts at gene therapy using genome editing with the generated model mice.

2024.07.25

【Jul. 25, 2024 Online-only event】First Seminar of 2024 in Advanced Science Seminar Series of Hiroshima University Wise Program　”Current methods for genome editing in chloroplasts and mitochondria and their applications”.

Speaker：Shinichi Arimura, Professor（Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo） Genomic information in organisms is also present, albeit in small amounts, within chloroplasts and mitochondria. These organellar genomes, which code for crucial information related to photosynthesis, respiration, mitochondrial diseases, and crop production, could not be modified until recently. However, breakthroughs have occurred with genome editing technologies, leading to rapid advancements in both basic and applied research. The current state of the technology and examples/potential uses were introduced.

2024.05.27

【May 27 and 29, 2024】Phoenix International Center MIRAI CREA, Hiroshima University （29th：Online）　ELSI Study Group “Ethics of Hereditary Tumors and PGT-M”

Speaker：Tsutomu Sawai Specially Recognized Professor（Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Hiroshima University）Rie Iizuka, Specially Appointed Assistant Professor（Center for Collaborative Sciences,　 Headquarters for Co-creative Future Sciences） Preimplantation genetic testing for monogenic/single gene defects (PGT-M) targeting hereditary diseases aims to prevent the birth of children with severe genetic disorders, benefiting patients suffering from illnesses and their families. However, this technology also enables the avoidance of children with undesirable traits as perceived by parents, raising significant ethical concerns in bioethics regarding the selection of life. Currently, it is governed solely by regulations from the Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology (JSOG) without public oversight, limited to members of the academic community, and lacks legal basis. This paper discusses the ethical issues arising from this current situation.

2024.05.13

【May 13, 2024】Phoenix International Center MIRAI CREA, Hiroshima University（Hybrid）　ELSI Lecture “ELSI in Bioethics”

Chiar：Tsutomu Sawai Specially Recognized Professor（Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Hiroshima University） Speaker：Carl B Becker Professor by Special Appointment（Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University） 　 Renowned Professor Carl Becker, specializing in fields such as terminal care, bioethics, thanatology, and religious ethics, will deliver a lecture on the emerging topic of ELSI (Ethical, Legal, and Social Implications) that has garnered attention both domestically and internationally.　

2024.03.13

【Mar. 13, 2024】Phoenix International Center MIRAI CREA, Hiroshima University（Hybrid）　Research wellside talk #8（Special edition）” Building the Brain, Thinking About the Brain”

Chiar：Tsutomu Sawai, Associate Professor（Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Hiroshima University） Speaker：Jun Takahashi, Professor, Director (Center for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University)Takuya Shinkawa, Lecturer（Graduate School of Humanities, Kobe University）Masanori Kataoka, Researcher（Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Hiroshima University） Researchers who examine the rapidly developing field of brain organoid research from philosophical and ethical perspectives discussed the future of brain organoid research from various viewpoints.

2024.03.04

【Mar. 4-5, 2024 TKP Garden City PREMIUM Hiroshima Ekimae　ELSI Hiroshima Workshop 2024

Speaker：Koji Ota, Associate Professor（Faculty of Humanities, Niigata University）Shiho Hamada, Fellow（Research Institute of Science and Technology for Society）Kei-ichirou Yamamoto, Director（Center for Clinical Science, National Center for Global Health and Medicin）Takashi Hiksa, Associate professor（School of Management & Information Sciences, Tama University）Masashi Tachikawa, Professor（School of Informatics Department of Human and Social Informatics, Nagoya University）Shinichi Kobayashi, Director, Professor by Special Appointment（Center for Collaborative Sciences, Headquarters for Co-creative Future Sciences, Hiroshima University） In recent years, ELSI/RRI research has been promoted at various universities, but there are only a few researchers in this field. To foster the next generation of researchers and build research networks, a workshop was held for young researchers, including students.

2024.03.01

【Mar. 1, 2024】Innovation Plaza, Hiroshima University（Hybrid）　Hiroshima Bio DX Forum “Presentations on research, practice, and ELSI related to genome editing and synthetic biology”

Speaker：Takashi Yamamoto, Director, Professor（Genome Editing Innovation Center, Hiroshima University）Yoshiharu Ichiki, Director（Bio industry Department,  Kurume Research Park）Makiko Matsuo, Project Associate Professor（Graduate School of Public Policy, Tokyo University） Discussant：Takahiro Nakamura, Professor（Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, Kyushu University） Tsutomu Sawai, Associate Professor（Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Hiroshima University） An introduction to the rapidly advancing genome editing technology and its application to manufacturing, as well as the cutting-edge science of synthetic biology, which involves artificially constructing biological functions and systems, was presented. The issues these technologies face now and in the future were discussed from the perspectives of ELSI and RRI.