Public attitudes in Japan toward the creation and use of gametes derived from human-induced pluripotent stem cells.

Tsutomu Sawai,Taichi Hatta,Misao Fujita,Kyoko Akatsuka

doi:10.2144/fsoa-2021-0066

Abstract

Aim:To ascertain to what extent the Japanese general public accept the creation and use of in vitro derived (IVD)-gametes derived from human-induced pluripotent stem cells.Materials & methods:We conducted an online survey and obtained answers from 3096 respondents.Results:78.6% of the respondents answered that they would accept the creation and use of IVD-gametes for research purposes, 51.7% answered that they would accept the creation and use of embryos with IVD-gametes for research purposes, and 25.9% answered that they would accept childbirth using embryos with IVD-gametes.Discussion:The results that approximately half of the respondents answered that they would accept the creation of embryos with IVD-gametes, which has not been allowed in the current Japanese research guidelines, is astonishing.

Highlights

Lay abstract: This paper reports the results of an online public survey about the creation and use of in vitro derived (IVD)-gametes, conducted in Japan with 3096 respondents selected from the monitor members of a survey company
Showed statistical significance in multiple regression analysis and a small effect size in a simple regression analysis (p < 0.01, R2 >0.02) (Table 2). These results revealed that the respondents with a younger age, a higher degree of interest in iPSCs, and a higher degree of understanding of the explanation for the creation and use of IVD-gametes had a higher degree of acceptance over the series of processes involved in the creation and use of IVD-gametes
Regarding the relationship between the degree of acceptance and the expectations, variables such as ‘birth of genetically related children’, ‘reduction in genetic diseases’ and ‘designer babies’ showed statistical significance in multiple regression analysis and a small effect size in a simple regression analysis (p < 0.01, R2 >0.02) (Table 3). These results revealed that the respondents with those expectations had a higher degree of acceptance over the series of processes involved in the creation and use of IVD-gametes

Summary

Objectives

To ascertain to what extent the Japanese general public accept the creation and use of in vitro derived. The aim of this study was to elucidate using a questionnaire survey what expectations and concerns the Japanese general public, who constitute the stakeholders, have with respect to the creation and use of. This study aimed to elucidate the extent to which the creation and use of IVD-gametes are considered acceptable by the general public and the expectations and concerns they may have

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion