Commentary / World | API Geo-economic Briefing Jul 3, 2020
Internet holds the key to the post-coronavirus era
by Jun Murai
Ability to put innovation into practice determines recovery of virus-hit economy
Business / Tech Mar 27, 2019
Google launches global council to advise on AI and tech ethics
Alphabet Inc.'s Google said on Tuesday it was launching a global advisory council to consider ethical issues around artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies. The council, which is slated to publish a report at the end of 2019, includes technology experts, digital ethicists, and people ...
Commentary / World Jan 22, 2019
Competitive culture brings out the worst in scientists
by Faye Flam
A Chinese researcher wanted to be a pioneer so badly that he ignored ethical boundaries; others think a Nobel is a license to rant
Asia Pacific / Science & Health Dec 10, 2018
China gene-editing scientist's project rejected for WHO database
The global medical community is distancing itself further from the researcher whose controversial gene-editing work has been condemned by scientists and the Chinese government. A Chinese branch of the World Health Organization has withdrawn an application to register He Jiankui's project in its clinical database. ...
World / Science & Health Dec 4, 2018
WHO plans team to consider standards for 'uncharted water' gene editing
The World Health Organisation (WHO) said on Monday that gene editing "may have unintended consequences" and that it was setting up a team of experts to study the ethical, social and safety dimensions and set guidelines. "Gene editing may have unintended consequences, this is uncharted ...
Commentary / World Dec 1, 2018
Gene editing: Repeating nature's experiment
by Faye Flam
A mutation sometime in the last 3,000 years already gave some Europeans the immunity that a scientist claims to have recreated in an embryo.
Asia Pacific Nov 28, 2018
Chinese scientist reveals second gene-altered pregnancy under way
The Chinese researcher who claims to have created the world's first genetically-altered babies revealed a possible second pregnancy had resulted from his project, highlighting the dilemmas facing China's leaders as they attempt to control a nascent industry racing to dominate genomics research globally. He Jiankui ...
Business / Tech Nov 28, 2018
China's opening of human gene engineering 'Pandora's box' seen as symptom of unbridled tech quest
A Chinese researcher's claim that he successfully modified the genes of human embryos may force the country to make a stark choice about the future of its burgeoning biotechnology industry — one with significant implications for an emerging technology arms race with the West. He ...
National Mar 29, 2018
Kyoto University says no to military-related research despite spike in Defense Ministry funding
by Eric Johnston
In fiscal 2017, the Defense Ministry allotted ¥11 billion for military technology-related research, an 18-fold increase over the previous fiscal year.
Business Mar 27, 2018
White House investigating loans to Jared Kushner's business: official
The White House is investigating whether two loans totaling more than $500 million to the family real estate business of U.S. President Donald Trump's son-in-law and senior adviser Jared Kushner violated any criminal laws or regulations, according to the U.S. Office of Government Ethics. Democratic ...
National / Media | BIG IN JAPAN Aug 12, 2017
The role of rules in a 'moral education'
by Michael Hoffman
Human beings are born amoral. Infants know no rules, and obey none. They learn a few at home, then go to school and learn more. Everyone agrees rules are necessary. On what the rules should be there is less agreement; less still on ...
National Apr 23, 2017
Story of Fukushima evacuee rice balls saving snow-stranded driver to appear in ethics textbook
A heartwarming story about Fukushima evacuees giving out rice balls to drivers stranded by heavy snow three years ago and helping one who fell ill will appear in an ethics textbook for elementary school pupils, according to a Tokyo publisher. The evacuees from the village ...