RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences Laboratory for Biomedical Ethics and Co-design

Team Director: Muto Kaori (Ph.D.)

Japanese Page

Research Summary

The primary goal of our laboratory is to collaborate with biomedical scientists, patients, the public, and experts in ethical, legal, and social implications (ELSI) to assess the impact of biomedical sciences on our society and co-design a conducive environment for these sciences. Specifically, our focus will be on ensuring the appropriate use of human-derived materials and information in research and development. We conduct ELSI research from a wide range of perspectives, including international collaboration, redress of historical injustices, and transparent and responsible research governance. Furthermore, we will gather and disseminate knowledge related to biomedical ethics through consultation with researchers who are tackling novel issues as well as by networking with domestic and international research institutions and universities.

Main Research Fields

Humanities & Social Sciences

Related Research Fields

Medical management and medical sociology-related
Sociology-related
Sociology of science, history of science and technology-related

Keywords

Ethics for Biomedical Sciences
Co-Design
ELSI (Ethical, Legal, and Social Implications)
Patient and public involvement/engagement
Research ethics governance

Selected Publications

Papers with an asterisk(*) are based on research conducted outside of RIKEN.

1. Emily Kirby, Alexander Bernier, Roderic Guigó, Barbara Wold, Fabiana Arzuaga, Mayumi Kusunose, Ma’n Zawati , Bartha M. Knoppers.
"Data sharing ethics toolkit: The Human Cell Atlas"
Nature Communications 15, 9901, 2024. doi: 10.1038/s41467-024-54300-3
2. Hideki Yui.
"The Search for Subjects for Forced Sterilization under Article 4 of the Eugenic Protection Law—A Study of the Projects of the Public Health Center in Hokkaido in the 1950s"
Journal of Japan Association for Bioethics 34(1), 86-95, 2024 (in Japanese).
3. Momoko Sato, Kaori Muto, Yukihide Momozawa, Yann Joly
"(Not So) Lost in Translation: Considering the GA4GH Diversity in Datasets Policy in the Japanese Context"
Asian Bioethics Review 17, 59-72, 2024. doi: 10.1007/s41649-024-00305-5
4. Hideki Yui, Yoshimi Yashiro, Kaori Muto, Saori Watanabe, Yukitaka Kiya, Yusuke Inoue, Zentaro Yamagata.
"Opinions on research involving human embryo models by researchers and the general public"
Regenerative Therapy 26, 9-13, 2024. doi: 10.1016/j.reth.2024.05.001
5. Momoko Sato, Yusuke Inoue, Kaori Muto.
"Examination of the Concept of FPIC (Free, Prior, and Informed Consent) with Reference to the Draft Ethical Guidelines for Research on Ainu People"
Journal of Japan Association for Bioethics 33(1), 60-68, 2023 (in Japanese). doi: 10.20593/jabedit.33.1_61
6. *Hideki Yui, Ayako Kamisato, Kaori Muto, Yoshimi Yashiro, Saori Watanabe, Yukitaka Kiya, Kumiko Fujisawa, Yusuke Inoue, Zentaro Yamagata.
"Attitudes towards human fetal tissue research: Survey of researchers and the public in Japan"
Regenerative Therapy 24, 78-84. 2023. doi: 10.1016/j.reth.2023.05.007
7. *Kaori Muto, Akiko Nagai, Izen Ri, Kyoko Takashima, Sachie Yoshida.
"Is legislation to prevent genetic discrimination necessary in Japan? An overview of the current policies and public attitudes."
Journal of Human Genetics 68, 579-585, 2023. doi: 10.1038/s10038-023-01163-z
8. Mayumi Kusunose, Kaori Muto.
"Public attitudes toward cloud computing and willingness to share personal health records (PHRs) and genome data for health care research in Japan"
Human Genome Variation 10, 1-10. 2023. doi: 10.1038/s41439-023-00240-1
9. *Hideki Yui, Kaori Muto, Yoshimi Yashiro, Saori Watanabe, Yukitaka Kiya, Kumiko Fujisawa, Kana Harada, Yusuke Inoue, Zentaro Yamagata.
"Survey of Japanese researchers and the public regarding the culture of human embryos in vitro beyond 14 days"
Stem Cell Reports 18(4), 799-806. 2023. doi: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2023.02.005
10. *Izen Ri, Junichi Kawata, Akiko Nagai, Kaori Muto.
"Expectations, concerns, and attitudes regarding whole-genome sequencing studies: a survey of cancer patients, families, and the public in Japan"
Journal of Human Genetics 68(4), 281-285. 2022. doi: 10.1038/s10038-022-01100-6

Lab Members

Principal investigator

Muto Kaori: Team Director

Core members

Mayumi Kusunose: Senior Technical Scientist
Hideki Yui: Research Scientist
Momoko Sato: Postdoctoral Researcher
Miyoko Oki: Research Administrator

Contact Information

1-7-22 Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama City, Kanagawa
230-0045, Japan
Email: kaori.muto@riken.jp