[Bioethical challenges of stem cell tourism].

Ethics and synthetic gametes.

The recent in vitro derivation of gamete-like cells from mouse embryonic stem (mES) cells is a major breakthrough and lays down several challenges, both for the further scientific investigation and for the bioethical and biolegal discourse. We refer here to these cells as gamete-like (sperm-like or oocyte-like, respectively), because at present there is still no evidence that these cells behave...

Challenges for treatment of cardiovascular diseases based on stem cells

Introduction: Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the primary cause of death worldwide, and the development of scar tissue in myocardium and also the irreversible destruction of cardiomyocytes are the main factors in their development. There are still limitations in medical treatment of CVD, despite the advances in the field of drug therapy and surgery for CVD. In recent years, research on stem c...

Embryonic stem cell-based therapeutics: balancing scientific progress and bioethics.

The breakneck speed of scientific developments in embryonic stem (ES) cell technologies is, commensurately, ushering forth new bioethical debate(s) regarding these cells. A framework of bioethical principles is presented here to guide biomedical scientists and others engaged in improving human welfare through the application of ES cell-based therapies.

Bioethical issues in autologous stem cell transplantation in children and adults with arthritis.

Ethical and Regulatory Challenges with Autologous Adult Stem Cells: A Comparative Review of International Regulations.

Cell and tissue-based products, such as autologous adult stem cells, are being prescribed by physicians across the world for diseases and illnesses that they have neither been approved for or been demonstrated as safe and effective in formal clinical trials. These doctors often form part of informal transnational networks that exploit differences and similarities in the regulatory systems acros...