Scientists Edited Human Embryos in the Lab, and It Was a Disaster
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 uncontrollable “mosaic” results have been seen in previous studies. Human DNA is extremely complicated, and the CRISPR tool is a …
The Appalling Price of Unborn Babies’ Body Parts
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 while still alive to obtain their organs and tissue. This tissue was then used by the FDA to create …
UNMC update PLUS Drugs to Treat COVID-19
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 addition to the critical care “Biocontainment Unit”) holds room for 20 patients who are among the first to be included …
COVID-19 Vaccine Update
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 donated blood as their vaccine substrate. Using cells from aborted fetuses is unethical because it denies the value of human …
UN official Criticizes ‘Liberal Eugenics’ based on Disabilities
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, deserves respect and dignity at each developmental stage.
Sunday, April 26, 2020
by Michael Cook | 18 Apr 2020
A United Nations official …
Embryo Research to Reduce Need for In Vitro Fertilization Raises Ethical Concerns
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 babies without having to pay for expensive IVF therapy. Instead of creating the embryos outside the womb …
Ethical Issues Surrounding Egg Donation in Genome Editing Research
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 their eggs/DNA as commodities.
by Patrick Foong | 11 Jan 2020
Like any novel technology, there are …
For a Change of Heart, Would-be Egg Donors Face Threats and Bills
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 concerned for her well-being, but only interested in exploiting her. Read her story below, along with other women …
He Jiankui faces three years in prison for CRISPR babies
MIT Technology Review
The Chinese scientist and two associates were sentenced after a secret trial.
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 world last year with his claim to have created genetically modified humans, twins referred to as Lulu and Nana.
In
Principles of Biomedical Ethics: Marking Its Fortieth Anniversary
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 called Principlism. This new approach was widely accepted in the medical community due to its ease of practical application in …