ClinhiPS
A scientific, ethical and comparative legal analysis of clinical implementation of human induced pluripotent stem cells in Germany and Austria (ClinhiPS) – SP2: Ethical Analysis
Human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) are generated by reprogramming adult somatic cells. HiPSCs in turn are capable of differentiating into diverse somatic cells. In significant contrast to embryonic stem cells (hESCs), hiPSCs seem to be generated in a less morally tainted way and may therefore comprise the potential to escape the ethical dilemma of consumptive embryo research without losing any medical value. Due to fast paced progress in biomedical research, a therapeutic application might be possible in the near future.
The subproject aims at a thorough analysis of the ethical problems associated with the clinical implementation of human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC) therapies. We will provide an assessment of the relevant ethical aspects of clinical research on and – if feasible – application of hiPSC therapies by drawing upon the ethical debate in Germany and Austria as compared to the Anglo-Saxon countries. In particular, we will review the relevant philosophical debate on totipotency/potentiality and its impact on the conception of a clinical implementation of hiPSCs. Moreover, we will provide an analysis of relevant stakeholders and ethical tools necessary for regulatory oversight to safeguard patients’ and public interest in medically innovative patient care. Profiting from insight of the other subprojects, subproject 2 will give guidance for an ethically sensitive approach to the clinical implementation of hiPSC therapies. Results will feed into the development of ethical guidelines for research in close cooperation with the other project partners.
Publications
- Wiesemann, C (2018): Bürgerbeteiligung und die Demokratisierung der Ethik, Ethik in der Medizin, DOI: 10.1007/s00481-018-0506-8.
- Hansen, SL; Holetzek, T; Heyder, C & Wiesemann, C (2018): Stakeholder-Beteiligung in der klinischen Forschung: eine ethische Analyse, Ethik in der Medizin; DOI: 10.1007/s00481-018-0487-7.
- Gerke, S; Hansen, SL: Die klinische Anwendung von hiPS-Zellen: ein Überblick, in: S. Gerke, C. Kopetzki, J. Taupitz, C. Wiesemann & H. Zimmermann (Hg.): Die klinische Anwendung von humanen induzierten pluripotenten Stammzellen. Ein Stakeholder-Sammelband. Berlin, Heidelberg, New York: Springer, 1–18; DOI: 10.1007/978-3-662-59052-2_1.
- Hansen, SL; Heyder, C & Wiesemann, C (2020): Ethische Analyse der klinischen Forschung mit humanen induzierten pluripotenten Stammzellen, in: S. Gerke, C. Kopetzki, J. Taupitz, C. Wiesemann & H. Zimmermann (Hg.): Die klinische Anwendung von humanen induzierten pluripotenten Stammzellen. Ein Stakeholder-Sammelband. Berlin, Heidelberg, New York: Springer, 197–242; DOI: 10.1007/978-3-662-59052-2_7.
- Gerke, S; Hansen, SL; Blum, VC; Bur, S; Heyder, C; Kopetzki, C; Meiser, I; Neubauer, JC; Noe, D; Steinböck C; Wiesemann, C; Zeinhofer, C; Zimmermann H; Taupitz, J (2020): Empfehlungen des Verbunds ClinhiPS zur klinischen Anwendung von hiPS-Zellen, in: S. Gerke, C. Kopetzki, J. Taupitz, C. Wiesemann & H. Zimmermann (Hg.): Die klinische Anwendung von humanen induzierten pluripotenten Stammzellen. Ein Stakeholder-Sammelband. Berlin, Heidelberg, New York: Springer, 459–485; DOI: 10.1007/978-3-662-59052-2_11.
- Heyder, C; Hansen, SL & Wiesemann, C: Ethical aspects of translating research with human pluripotent stem cell products into clinical practice: a stakeholder approach. The New Bioethics, DOI: 10.1080/20502877.2020.1724708.
Principal Investigator
contact information
- telephone: +49 551 399006
- fax: +49 551 399554
- e-mail address: cwiesem(at)gwdg.de
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