What Is a SHEEF, and Why Should We Care?
D. Joy Riley, M.D., M.A. Executive Director
Human embryo research has long been guided by what is known as the “14-day rule.” That is, various nations have allowed research on embryos up to 14 days post fertilization. The 14-day rule was put in place ostensibly in order to avoid causing pain for the developing embryo. The primitive streak — the first visible evidence of gastrulation and the formation of differentiated tissues in the embryo — appears at about day 15 after fertilization. (See video at the bottom of this post for more information.)
When the 14-day rule was put in place, laboratories were ...read more
CRISPR — Who’s in Charge? (Part I)
D. Joy Riley, M.D., M.A. Executive Director
This is part I of our report. View part II, part III, or part IV.
The ability to edit genes using CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats) has been in the news for more than a year. A committee has been appointed to advise our government regarding the editing of genes, particularly editing the genes of the human embryo.
Who are the members of that committee? What are their views? The Tennessee Center for Bioethics & Culture has been working to gather information for you, our readers. This is part I of our report.
On 16 June 2015, ...read more
