Several projects and research fields are expected to strongly contribute to solving therapeutic or diagnostic issues by providing new technological solutions for molecular healthcare. One example, related to diagnosis, is the innovation in the field of development of workflows, methods and devices for analysis (even multiplexed) of biomarkers (RNA and proteins in live cells) and high throughput molecular diagnostics for personalized therapy. On the other hand, novel technologies related to regenerative medicine have brought great promises for the treatment of a large number of human disease, but also relevant ethical issues that are expected to limit significantly the freedom of research in several states, several of them belonging to the European Union. This is especially related with the research on human embryonic stem cells (hESCs), which is expected to bring important novelty in developing approaches in regenerative medicine. On the other hand, the ban of patenting invention based on embryonic stem cells appears to limit this approach, since scientists working in stem cell medicine will not be able to deliver clinical benefits without the involvement of biological industry, which must have patent protection as an incentive to be involved in this research activity. Limitation of the freedom of research in this field should be considered.
Bioethics and Freedom of Scientific Research in Gene Therapy and Stem Cell Biology
GAMBARI, Roberto;FINOTTI, Alessia
2012
Abstract
Several projects and research fields are expected to strongly contribute to solving therapeutic or diagnostic issues by providing new technological solutions for molecular healthcare. One example, related to diagnosis, is the innovation in the field of development of workflows, methods and devices for analysis (even multiplexed) of biomarkers (RNA and proteins in live cells) and high throughput molecular diagnostics for personalized therapy. On the other hand, novel technologies related to regenerative medicine have brought great promises for the treatment of a large number of human disease, but also relevant ethical issues that are expected to limit significantly the freedom of research in several states, several of them belonging to the European Union. This is especially related with the research on human embryonic stem cells (hESCs), which is expected to bring important novelty in developing approaches in regenerative medicine. On the other hand, the ban of patenting invention based on embryonic stem cells appears to limit this approach, since scientists working in stem cell medicine will not be able to deliver clinical benefits without the involvement of biological industry, which must have patent protection as an incentive to be involved in this research activity. Limitation of the freedom of research in this field should be considered.I documenti in SFERA sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
