Ethical Issues in Emerging Technologies to Extend the Viability of Biological Materials Across Time and Space.James F. Childress,Evelyn Brister,Paul B. Thompson,Susan M. Wolf,Shawneequa L. Callier,Alexander M. Capron,Timothy L. Pruett &Nikolas Zuchowicz -2024 -Journal of Law, Medicine and Ethics 52 (3):570-584.detailsThis article presents a framework of ethical analysis for anticipatory evaluation of advanced biopreservation technologies and employs the framework illustratively in three domains. The framework features four clusters of general ethical considerations: (1) Producing Benefits, Minimizing Harms, Balancing Benefits, Risk, and Costs; (2) Justice, Fairness, Equity; (3) Respect for Autonomy; and (4) Transparency, Trustworthiness, and Public Trust.
The Need for Early Engagement with Interested Groups on Advanced Biopreservation.Insoo Hyun,John Bischof,Shawneequa L. Callier,Alexander M. Capron,Michele Bratcher Goodwin,Ishan Goswami,Rosario Isasi,Andrew D. Maynard,Timothy L. Pruett,Korkut Uygun &Susan M. Wolf -2024 -Journal of Law, Medicine and Ethics 52 (3):585-594.detailsResearch on advanced biopreservation — technologies that include, for example, partial freezing, supercooling, and vitrification with nanoparticle infusion and laser rewarming — is proceeding at a rapid pace, potentially affecting many areas of medicine and the life sciences, food, agriculture, and environmental conservation. Given the breadth and depth of its medical, scientific, and corresponding social impacts, advanced biopreservation is poised to emerge as a disruptive technology with real benefits, but also ethical challenges and risks. Early engagement with potentially affected groups (...) can help navigate possible societal barriers to adoption of this new technology and help ensure that emerging capabilities align with the needs, desires, and expectations of a broad range of interested parties. (shrink)
The Big Chill: Opportunities for, and Challenges to, Advanced Biopreservation of Organs for Transplantation.Alexander M. Capron,Timothy L. Pruett &James F. Childress -2024 -Journal of Law, Medicine and Ethics 52 (3):595-610.detailsThe application of advanced biopreservation to organs donated for transplantation may make possible their indefinite storage and thereby improve the utility and equity they provide to patients. The technology is still at a preclinical stage, with many difficult, scientific issues that remain to be answered. At the moment, however, the actual capabilities of the technology are too indefinite to begin formulating the statutes, regulations, and ethical guidance that will be needed to obtain the benefits expected from its use.
Anticipating Biopreservation Technologies that Pause Biological Time: Building Governance & Coordination Across Applications.Susan M. Wolf,Timothy L. Pruett,Claire Colby McVan,Evelyn Brister,Shawneequa L. Callier,Alexander M. Capron,James F. Childress,Michele Bratcher Goodwin,Insoo Hyun,Rosario Isasi,Andrew D. Maynard,Kenneth A. Oye,Paul B. Thompson &Terrence R. Tiersch -2024 -Journal of Law, Medicine and Ethics 52 (3):534-552.detailsAdvanced biopreservation technologies using subzero approaches such as supercooling, partial freezing, and vitrification with reanimating techniques including nanoparticle infusion and laser rewarming are rapidly emerging as technologies with potential to radically disrupt biomedicine, research, aquaculture, and conservation. These technologies could pause biological time and facilitate large-scale banking of biomedical products including organs, tissues, and cell therapies.