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Is tissue engineering a new paradigm in medicine? Consequences for the ethical evaluation of tissue engineering research

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Abstract

Ex-vivo tissue engineering is a quickly developing medical technology aiming to regenerate tissue through the introduction of an ex-vivo created tissue construct instead of restoring the damaged tissue to some level of functionality. Tissue engineering is considered by some as a new medical paradigm. We analyse this claim and identify tissue engineering’s fundamental characteristics, focusing on the aim of the intervention and on the complexity and continuity of the process. We inquire how these features have an impact not only on the scientific research itself but also on the ethical evaluation of this research. We suggest that viewing tissue engineering as a new medical paradigm allows us to develop a wider perspective for successful investigation instead of focusing on isolated steps of the tissue engineering process in an anecdotal way, which may lead to an inadequate ethical evaluation. We argue that the concept of tissue engineering as a paradigm may benefit the way we address the ethical challenges presented by tissue engineering.

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Acknowledgements

The research for this contribution was supported by the STEPS-project, funded by the European Commission, FP6-50046.

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  1. Centre for Biomedical Ethics and Law, KU Leuven, Kapucijnenvoer 35/3, Box 7001, 3000, Leuven, Belgium

    Leen Trommelmans & Kris Dierickx

  2. Faculty of Theology, KU Leuven, Sint-Michielsstr 6, 3000, Leuven, Belgium

    Joseph Selling

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  1. Leen Trommelmans
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Trommelmans, L., Selling, J. & Dierickx, K. Is tissue engineering a new paradigm in medicine? Consequences for the ethical evaluation of tissue engineering research. Med Health Care and Philos 12, 459–467 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11019-009-9192-0

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