The G-STEP project is jointly funded by the Research Institute of Science and Technology for Society (RISTEX) of the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) under the title “Addressing ELSI and governance with of patient and public involvement regarding research on human stem cell derived germ cells.”

In the near future, it may become possible to create germ cells like sperm and eggs from human stem cells.
This is called in vitro gametogenesis (IVG) research.
IVG research resides in the fields of basic biology and basic medical research. Significant progress in IVG research has been made over the past decade, which has the potential to bring about various benefits to medicine, society, and future generations. At the same time, there are numerous ethical, legal, and social issues (ELSI) associated with new scientific and technological developments like IVG research that need to be addressed.

Through the involvement of patients and the public, the G-STEP project therefore aims to consider ELSI related issues within IVG research as well as the implications of IVG research itself within society.
The research team includes a diverse range of experts, including not only researchers in the ELSI field but also leaders in IVG research and reproductive medicine. The overall goal of the project is to bring together people from diverse backgrounds and experiences to think about how we may build our future together.

G-STEP stands for “Gametogenesis from STem cells and ELSI/governance by Patient and public involvement.”

※ For smart-phone users
Click on the three horizontal lines in the upper left corner of the screen to open a link for more details.
For more information about IVG research, see [About G-STEP]
For more information about Patient and Public Involvement (PPI), see [Get Involved]
For more information about the people carrying out this research, see [The Research Team]