NCER Comments: The Francis Crick Institute used the tool CRISPR to edit genes in human embryos, leading to disastrous results. Over 50% of the edited embryos had countless unintended edits to their genomes which would lead to birth defects and disease, precisely what this research is attempting to prevent. This is not news, as these […]

NCER Comments: Between 2012 and 2018, the FDA paid just under $100,000 for “fresh and never frozen” aborted fetal tissue from Planned Parenthood to be used in research. Currently, federal law still allows for the sale (without profit) of aborted fetal parts. The term “fresh” refers to the fact that when possible, aborted fetuses are dissected […]

NCER Comments: As part of an NIH randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial, UNMC is currently studying the effects of the antiviral drug Remdesivir on COVID-19 patients. Outcomes seen as quickly as within 15 days are being monitored by a national independent safety board, and the unofficial results are positive so far. The UNMC “Quarantine Unit” (in […]

NCER Comments: Several COVID-19 vaccines are currently in development and being tested on a small number of humans. Janssen Pharmaceutical (Johnson & Johnson), Moderna and the University of Pittsburgh have chosen to use fetal cell lines obtained from abortions to create their vaccines, while Sanofi-Pasteur and Inovio are utilizing ethical sources such as insects and […]

NCER Comments: A UN official is drawing attention to the dangers of prenatal testing, selective abortion and IVF pre-implantation genetic screening because these procedures are precursors to euthanizing fetuses and newborns with disabilities. This practice vigorously promotes social discrimination of the disabled and consumer-driven eugenics. Every human being, no matter the imperfections, deserve...

NCER Comments: In Mexico, women were paid to be artificially inseminated and then donate the resulting embryos for research. The women had to receive powerful hormone therapy, which carries considerable health risks, both immediate and long term. The goal of the study was to find a procedure that allowed parents with genetic abnormalities to give birth to healthy […]

NCER Comments Are women who receive payment to donate their eggs able to fully understand the health risks (possibly cancer or  death) entailed so as to give informed consent? Additionally, does this practice violate the ethical principle of Justice by taking advantage of vulnerable poor women? NCER believes this policy is unethical because it debases women and treats […]

NCER Comments There is very little legal oversight in the marketplace of selling human eggs, and women who initially agree to donate but then change their minds are often harassed and threatened by fertility clinics. Julie Johnson was one such case, and she changed her mind about donating her eggs when she realized the clinic was not […]

MIT Technology Review The Chinese scientist and two associates were sentenced after a secret trial. by Antonio Regalado Dec 30, 2019   The Chinese scientist who created the world’s first gene-edited children has been sentenced to three years in prison by a Chinese court. He Jiankui, a biophysicist trained at Rice University and Stanford, shocked the […]

NCER Notes: Forty years ago, Bioethics was born out of the collaboration between Beauchamp and Childress, two ethicists with very different moral approaches- one based on obligation and duty, the other on the goodness of outcomes. They were able to merge the best elements of prominent philosophical theories on morality to create a new approach […]