Advancing Neuroregenerative Medicine: a Call for Expanded Collaboration Between Scientists and Ethicists
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BRIEF COMMUNICATION
Advancing Neuroregenerative Medicine: a Call for Expanded Collaboration Between Scientists and Ethicists Jocelyn Grunwell & Judy Illes & Katrina Karkazis
Received: 13 June 2008 / Accepted: 9 September 2008 / Published online: 1 October 2008 # Springer Science + Business Media B.V. 2008
Abstract To date, ethics discussions about stem cell research overwhelmingly have centered on the morality and acceptability of using human embryonic stem cells. Governments in many jurisdictions have now answered these “first-level questions” and many have now begun to address ethical issues related to the donation of cells, gametes, or embryos for research. In this commentary, we move beyond these ethical concerns to discuss new themes that scientists on the forefront of NRM development anticipate, providing a preliminary framework for further discussion between scientists and ethicists. Fostering strong partnerships between neuroscientists and ethicists that operate and collaborate within this evolving J. Grunwell (*) Stanford Center for Biomedical Ethics, Stanford University School of Medicine, 701 Welch Rd., Suite 1105, Palo Alto, CA 94034, USA e-mail: [email protected] K. Karkazis Stanford Center for Biomedical Ethics, 701 Welch Rd., Suite 1105, Palo Alto, CA 94034, USA e-mail: [email protected] J. Illes National Core for Neuroethics, The University of British Columbia, 2211 Wesbrook Mall, Koerner S124, Vancouver, BC V6T 2B5, Canada e-mail: [email protected]
framework will maximize the translation of NRM discoveries on the brain into cures that are safe and address the needs of science and society. Keywords Empirical bioethics . Neuroregenerative medicine . Stem cell . Animal–human chimeras . Human neural-grafted chimeras . Informed consent . Therapeutic misconception . Therapeutic orphans . Vulnerable research subjects . Cognitive enhancement . California Institute of Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) . Proposition 71 . Scientific emigration . Brain-drain . Medical tourism . Neuroethics . Neuroscience . Batten’s disease
Introduction Over the last decade research showing neurogenesis in the adult brain has fostered hope among scientists, clinicians, and the public that replacement or repair of damaged cells in the central nervous system (CNS) using transplanted stem cells will be an important tool to restore lost or impaired function and to slow the deterioration associated with deeply debilitating diseases such as Parkinson’s Disease, Alzheimer’s Disease, and multiple sclerosis. Although scientists and others are optimistic about the possibilities of neuroregenerative medicine (NRM) to lead to novel strategies and therapies for the treatment of such neurodegenerative diseases, as well as brain injury due to stroke or trauma, answers to a host of ethical
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questions about the research and its clinical applications are still elusive. We sought to identify the key concerns of scientists working in NRM with the goal of developing a preliminary framework outlining ethical and social issues rais
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