The production of reproductive cells, sperm and ova, from human ES cells is prohibited in Japan by guidelines concerning the use of ES cells. (See BJ July 2007 and August 2007) However, a MEXT specialist panel voiced the policy of approving of reproductive cell production in April 2006 and the conditions to be placed on such activity are still under discussion. At a meeting of this specialist panel on 07 December 2007, the handling of production of reproductive cells from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells), cells which have almost the same nature as ES cells, was discussed. The meeting included a hearing with Professor YAMANAKA Shinya of Kyoto University Institute for Frontier Medical Sciences, who has recently succeeded in producing human iPS cells from adult skin cells, and whose paper on this subject was published on 21 November 2007.

In the hearing, his second with this panel, Prof. Yamanaka stated his hope that, "The (iPS cells) currently originate from skin cells of white adults, which are on sale, but in future we want to produce them from the cells of the actual patient." Regarding the production of reproductive cells, Prof. Yamanaka stated that there was a possibility for the application of the cells in fertility treatments and that this should be carried out once the transparency of the research can be secured. In contrast, the chair of the special panel, Research Advisor of the Riken research institute TOYOSHIMA Kumao stated that, "My personal thinking is that the production of reproductive cells from iPS cells, which does not involve the use of a fertilized ovum, can be screened by the local ethics committee, and the research can be carried forward on the basis of consultation with gynecologists," showing that he consistently favours the placing of iPS cells outside the scope of state regulation. In response to this opinion, other panelists stated that, "It is necessary to be cautious about reproductive cells since they are passed down to ones descendants," and similar sentiments. The discussions are to continue.

The discussion of surrogacy has at last got under way in earnest at the Science Council of Japan's Committee on the State of Assisted Reproduction Medicine. (See BJ December 2007) At the 11th meeting of the Committee, held on 28 November 2007, the MHLW unveiled the results of its survey on repromed technology taken from 5000 members of the general public, men and women between the ages of 20 and 69, in February and March 2007. 62.2% of those surveyed responded. According to the statistical results, almost half replied that they either "want to use" surrogacy or "want to use it if spouse agrees". 54% of respondents agreed that surrogacy would be socially acceptable given certain safeguards. It is thought that these figures will have an important impact on the upcoming discussion.

Shinshu University Professor NAKAGAKI Masao has introduced a gene for making spider's web thread into silkworms, and has succeeded in producing a thread that contains 10% spider's web material. This was carried out by injecting the gene for the web thread of Nephila clavata (Japanese name 'jorohgumo', a member of the genus of golden silk orb-weaver spiders, Nephilia) into a silkworm ovum. The resulting silk has superior qualities in strength and elasticity when compared with ordinary silk. Cooperation between the university and the sock manufacturer Okamoto Corporation is aiming for commercialization of the new silk in socks and other products. (Yomiuri Shinbun 2007/12/6)