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reNEW Principal Investigator Niels Geijsen and Associate Investigator Nienke de Graeff were among the researchers who discussed embryo models at the first Science Café in The Hague. Organized by the PSIDER-GREAT consortium with support from ZonMW, the event aimed to update politicians and policymakers on the latest developments in the field, helping them make well-informed decisions around the topic.
Embryo models
Stem cells and embryo models have opened unprecedented possibilities for studying human development, allowing researchers to explore early stages of life in ways that were previously impossible. At the same time, these advances and possibilities raise complex scientific, ethical and policy questions. It is therefore crucial that politicians and policymakers are well-informed, so they can make responsible decisions around their governance.
Update and discussion
The Science Café, which was moderated by PraatProducties, consisted of two parts. First Geijsen gave a short presentation on different types of embryo models, what they are (and what they are not) and what they offer for research into human development. De Graeff then dove into related ethical issues and policy matters, discussing the current and proposed regulations for embryo and embryo model research in the Netherlands and placing this into an international perspective by highlighting similarities and differences between countries.
Afterwards, they were joined by (Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands) and professor Joost Gribnau (head department Developmental Biology at Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands) for a panel discussion.
Valuable exchange
“This Science Café was really about knowledge exchange rather than a debate. The goal was to provide politicians and policy makers with up-to-date information around embryo models and offer them a platform to ask factual questions to experts in the field,” said Geijsen. “We were happy to welcome, amongst others, representatives from around 10 Dutch political parties and policy makers from several ministries who reacted positively to the initiative. The next Science Café will take place in the spring. Details will follow soon!”
