Japan Significantly Relaxes Its Human-Animal Chimeric Embryo Research Regulations

On March 1, 2019, Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) deregulated human-animal chimeric embryo (HACE) research for the production of human organs in animals. The MEXT’s newly released guidelines effectively approved the production of human-animal chimeras, or chimeric individuals ( Ministry of Education CultureSportsScience and Technology (MEXT), 2019 Ministry of Education Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT)Guidelines for the Handling of Specified Embryos. http://www.lifescience.mext.go.jp/files/pdf/n2163_03.pdf Date: 2019 Google Scholar ). Despite the very recent nature of these developments, research groups are already beginning to move forward. Most notably, Hiromitsu Nakauchi’s laboratory is preparing a new proposal for HACE research in Japan ( Jiji Press, 2019 Jiji PressJapanese team plans to grow human pancreases in pigs. https://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=eco&k=2019030101178 Date: 2019 Google Scholar )