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Somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT). SCNT involves the removal of the chromosomes (constituted as the meiotic spindle complex) from an oocyte, followed by the transfer and fusion of a donor somatic cell nucleus to the enucleated oocyte. The manipulated oocyte is then artificially activated which
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One of the most exciting areas of medical research involves the use of stem cells for the treatment of patients with a variety of diseases and for tissue repair. Although stem cell research is accelerating rapidly in many countries, it has in the past been limited in South Africa (SA); very little has been done in this country to explore the great...
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... procedure of SCNT can be described as the removal of the chromosomes (constituted as the meiotic spindle complex) from an oocyte, followed by the transfer and fusion of a donor somatic cell nucleus to the enucleated oocyte. The manipulated oocyte is then artificially activated which should induce subsequent development of the embryo (Fig. 4). should induce subsequent development of the ...
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... • The nucleus which contains the organism's genetic material (DNA) of a somatic cell is removed • The nucleus from the somatic cell is then inserted into the cytoplasm of an enucleated egg cell • The egg which contains the nucleus stimulated with electric shocks to encourage miotic division • After many miotic divisions, the cell forms a blastocyst, which divides further until it eventually forms an embryo [6] (Image: Michael S. Pepper, C Gouveia) [26] SCNT is used by scientific researchers around the world for stem cell research. They aim to obtain stem cells from the donor organism (the cloned embryo), so they can be used in regenerative medicine [6]. ...
... In the United Kingdom (UK), human SCNT research is legal and in 2001 was included in the Human Fertilization and Embryology Act 1990 [141]. However, before performing SCNT, it is necessary to obtain permission from the Human Fertilization and Embryology Authority [142]. In the US, SCNT research is also legal but is not allowed to be funded by the national government because of the Dickey-Wicker Amendment bill passed in 1995 [32]. ...
Somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) has been an area of interest in the field of stem cell research and regenerative medicine for the past 20 years. The main biological goal of SCNT is to reverse the differentiated state of a somatic cell, for the purpose of creating blastocysts from which embryonic stem cells (ESCs) can be derived for therapeutic cloning, or for the purpose of reproductive cloning. However, the consensus is that the low efficiency in creating normal viable offspring in animals by SCNT (1–5%) and the high number of abnormalities seen in these cloned animals is due to epigenetic reprogramming failure. In this review we provide an overview of the current literature on SCNT, focusing on protocol development, which includes early SCNT protocol deficiencies and optimizations along with donor cell type and cell cycle synchrony; epigenetic reprogramming in SCNT; current protocol optimizations such as nuclear reprogramming strategies that can be applied to improve epigenetic reprogramming by SCNT; applications of SCNT; the ethical and legal implications of SCNT in humans; and specific lessons learned for establishing an optimized SCNT protocol using a mouse model.
... Organ allocation in general [24][25][26], organs for disabled people [27,28], dead donor rules [29], financial compensation for donating organs [30,31], and the ethics of living donors [32] are some other issues discussed around ODOT. As to SRTD linked to ODOT, ethical and other issues are highlighted for xenotransplantation [4,[33][34][35], stem cells [36][37][38][39], 3-D printing [40], and cloning of organs [41,42] for example. Hansson coined the term implant ethics defining it as Bthe study of ethical aspects of the lasting introduction of technological devices into the human body^ [21]. ...
Advancements in scientific research and technological development (SRTD) influence the practice of organ donation and organ transplantation (ODOT). Many SRTD governance discourses put forward the need for multi-stakeholder engagements. We posit that staff employed by organ procurement organizations have a stake in the discussions around SRTD applicable to ODOT because SRTD is one factor that shapes ODOT and because staff are involved in ODOT education and awareness raising while acting as a nexus between donors and the public. Therefore, we performed a content analysis of eight semi-structured in-depth interviews with staff of one Canadian organ procurement organization to ascertain the views that staff had on the use of (a) SRTD in ODOT in general; (b) specific SRTD envisioned to be used in the future in ODOT namely xenotransplantation, embryonic and non-embryonic stem cells, cloning, bionic/artificial organs, and 3-D printed organs; and (c) the emerging ability of SRTD applicable in ODOT to enhance bodily abilities beyond the normal. We found that staff had views on the topics covered in this study, and staff acknowledged that they do not possess sufficient knowledge to be able to engage meaningfully in governance discussions of the SRTD covered and to educate others on these SRTDs. We recommend implementing continuous education for the staff on SRTD envisioned to be applied in ODOT as a capacity-building measure to enable their participation in the governance discussions of these SRTDs and to enhance their ability to educate others on ODOT applicable SRTD.
... The diverse religious, ethical and moral beliefs in Africa also need to be accommodated. Despite these hurdles, implementing the legal framework for gene therapy may be informed by prior experiences of developing regulations pertaining to biotechnology and use of stem cell therapy in Africa 85 . ...
Gene therapy has made impressive recent progress and has potential for treating a wide range of diseases, many of which are important to Africa. However, as a result of lack of direct public funding and skilled personnel, direct research on gene therapy in Africa is currently limited and resources to support the endeavor are modest. A strength of the technology is that it is based on principles of rational design, and the tools of gene therapy are now highly versatile. For example gene silencing and gene editing may be used to disable viral genes for therapeutic purposes. Gene therapy may thus lead to cure from infections with HIV-1, hepatitis B virus and Ebola virus, which are of significant public health importance in Africa. Although enthusiasm for gene therapy is justified, significant challenges to implementing the technology remain. These include ensuring efficient delivery of therapeutic nucleic acids to target cells, limiting unintended effects, cost and complexity of treatment regimens. Additionally, implementation of effective legislation that will govern gene therapy research will be a challenge. Nevertheless, it is an exciting prospect that gene therapy should soon reach the mainstream of medical management. Participation of African researchers in the exciting developments is currently limited, but their involvement is important to address health problems, develop capacity and enhance economic progress of the continent.
... Somatic and germline modifications and genomic synthesis have been discussed for some time; however, the debate around human gene editing intensified in March 2015 [2,12,13] when a study was published describing the germline genetic modification of human embryos [14]. Beyond human germline editing, there are several other applications envisioned for gene editing [15][16][17]: gene editing also allows synthetic biologists to design and edit whole genomes of biological entities giving them new properties [18]; genome-scale engineering is pursued as a strategy for the design and optimization of cellular functions [19,20]. An International Summit on Human Gene Editing took place 1-3 December 2015 as a result of these discussions [21]. ...
Genetic researchers are advancing in their abilities to extract precise genetic information from biological and human entities bringing genetic research steps closer to accurately modifying genes of biological entities, including that of humans. In this analytical essay, we focus on the discussions about precision genetic intervention that have taken place since March 2015 as they pertain to disabled people. We focus on two areas; one being the role of disabled people in the recent gene editing discussions and the second being the utility of existing legal instruments. Within our first focus we address the following questions: (a) What is the visibility of disabled people in the gene-editing discussions that have taken place since March 2015? (b) What has been the impact of those discussions on disabled people? (c) Were social problems which disabled people face taken into account in those discussions; (d) How does the reality of engagement with disabled people in these discussions fit with science, technology and innovation governance discourses that ask for more stakeholder, bottom up and anticipatory involvement? Within our second focus we address the following questions: (a) What is the utility of the United Nations Convention on the Right of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD); and (b) What is the utility of existing legal instruments covering genetic interventions: for preventing negative social consequences of genetic engineering developments for disabled people. We argue that (a) the genetic engineering debates since March 2015 have portrayed disabled people dominantly through a medical lens; (b) that the governance of science, technology and innovation of genetic engineering including anticipatory governance and responsible innovation discourses has not yet engaged with the social impact of gene editing on disabled people; (c) that few scholars that focus on the social situation of disabled people are visible in the governance discussions of gene editing; and (d) that the utility of the UNCRPD and the investigated genetic-related legal instruments and international agreements to protect disabled people from negative consequences coming out of the gene editing discussions is unclear at the least.
Biotechnology has become a revolutionary tool for wildlife conservation, offering novel approaches to counter the unprecedented challenges facing biodiversity today. This paper examines the application of biotechnology, specifically genetic engineering, cloning, and ecosystem restoration, to conserve endangered species and restore degraded ecosystems. Biotechnology, through genetic engineering, enables researchers to transfer disease resistance and reproductive enhancement into vulnerable species, allowing them to survive against global threats such as chytridiomycosis in amphibians. Additionally, it addresses inbreeding and genetic bottlenecks by reintroducing genetic diversity through gene editing and transgenic methods. Cloning, primarily through the use of SCNT, holds promise for the revival of extinct species and the preservation of genetic information. A prime example of the latter is the case of the Pyrenean ibex, which, despite its short-lived success, highlighted the promise that such technology holds and the ethical questions it raises. In addition to species-specific approaches, biotechnology plays a crucial role in restoring the ecosystem. Through genetic modification, stress-resistant plant varieties and beneficial microbial inoculants are engineered to restore degraded habitats, enhance soil fertility, and enable plants to withstand environmental stressors such as drought and salinity. These efforts support the recovery of degraded native ecosystems that have been impacted by urban development, deforestation, and global warming. While acknowledging the limitations and ethical issues, the article emphasises the importance that biotechnology plays as a complement rather than a replacement for conventional methods. Ultimately, by harnessing the power of science, conservation specialists can more effectively counteract biodiversity loss, making ecosystems healthier and the future more sustainable for wildlife.
Die reg-en-letterkunde-vakterrein, in Suid-Afrika nog in ’n ontwikkelende fase, is ’n interdissiplinêre studieveld wat onder andere gemoeid is met die vertolking van regsaspekte in fiksie. Lesers word in staat gestel om krities te besin oor die rol en funksie van die reg in ’n breër konteks, asook om komplekse maatskaplike en regskwessies soos wetteloosheid, diskriminasie en ongeregtigheid binne ’n bepaalde konteks te evalueer. Die sentrale tema in Zelda Bezuidenhout se 2021-roman Die waarde van stil bure is ongeoorloofde stamselnavorsing en ’n stamselbehandeling, wat die konteks stel en die leser uitdaag om self krities te besin oor die etiese, regs- en morele geldigheid van die betrokke karakters se optrede. Stamselnavorsing is ’n nuwe en onverkende onderwerp in die Afrikaanse letterkunde. Fiksie is by uitstek geskik om sosiale bewusmaking van dié onderwerp te bevorder, wat uiteindelik sosiale belangstelling en betrokkenheid by die regulering van nuwe biomediese tegnologie, soos stamselnavorsing en -terapie, genoomnavorsing en genoomkartering, kan motiveer. Aan die hand van die gebeure wat sentreer rondom drie dogters – ’n wit tweeling en hul swart huiswerker se dogter – verken die roman die wetlikheid en etiese regverdigbaarheid van ongeoorloofde stamselnavorsing en -oorplanting, en belig vlugtig ook die onderliggende sosiale milieu van apartheid wat oor die jare heen die dogters se gedrag gevorm het. Die jukstaposisie van apartheid as ’n misdaad teen die mensdom (gemagtig en geïnstitusionaliseer deur wetgewing en godsdiens) en die onwettigheid, dóg morele regverdigbaarheid, van die stamselnavorsing in die roman laat die leser met ’n kragtige boodskap dat dít wat reg en verkeerd is, nie altyd ooglopend ’n duidelike binêre keuse is nie. Net soos alles op die oppervlak goed en gelukkig gelyk het in die “Liquorice Allsorts-gesinnetjie”, was die realiteit die teenoorgestelde.
