Center for Clinical Bioethics

Naoko Kakee

Section: Visiting Scholar Program

Naoko Kakee, visiting scholar from Tokyo, Japan will be at the Center November 2009-February 2010. Ms. Kakee received her Bachelor of Human Sciences and her Master of Arts in Bioethics from Waseda University, Tokyo, Japan.

Research Interest: Clinical Bioethics in Pediatrics, Clinical Ethics Consultation, Informed Consent and Assent.

Summary of Research Project:
Title: Propose of clinical ethics consideration system fit in Japan

Background and Aim
The aim of the study is to propose proper clinical ethics consideration system fit in Japan, The interest for clinical bioehtics is now growing in Japan. I am working in National Center for Child Health and Development, which is the biggist children's hospital in Japan, directly sponsored by Japanese government. I am often involved in ethical problems related by advanced medicine like gene and cell therapy, prenatal diagnosis, liver transplantation with living donor, and so on. Lack of consulation system in clinical ethics often makes the problem more serious.

Method:
First, I will investigate clinical ethics consultation system at Georgetown University Medical Center. Then compare the system with Japanese present situation, and isolate problems in Japan.

Expected results:
I will make clear several problems specific in Japan, I will try to find the resolution, and finally propose clinical ethics consideration system appropriately fit in Japanese culture and society.