معرفی
Megumu Yokono is an Associate Professor at Waseda University's School of Social Sciences, specializing in medical law and bioethics. With a Master of Laws from Waseda University, she has held her current position since 2011 and previously served as an Assistant Professor at the same institution. She has extensive experience in national and international committees related to genomic medicine, ethics, and law, including multiple roles with the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, and various professional societies. Her work bridges legal frameworks with ethical considerations in emerging medical technologies.
- 2000.04-2005.03: Waseda University Graduate School of Law (Master of Laws)
- 1997.04-2000.03: Waseda University Graduate School of Law
- 1993.04-1997.03: Waseda University School of Law
Megumu Yokono's research focuses on the intersection of law, ethics, and medicine, with particular emphasis on Medical Law, Bioethics, Pediatric Ethics, and ELSI (Ethical, Legal and Social Issues). Her work examines how legal frameworks can address challenges in genomic medicine, patient privacy, and informed consent. She investigates issues surrounding genetic discrimination, particularly in life insurance contexts, and explores the ethical implications of whole-genome analysis. Her research also covers data ethics in medical research, patient and public involvement in genomic studies, and the legal aspects of reproductive technologies. Yokono's scholarship demonstrates how comparative legal analysis can inform Japanese policy development in rapidly evolving medical fields.
Yokono's recent publications reveal a consistent focus on the evolving legal and ethical landscape of genomic medicine in Japan. Her work examines the implementation of the Genomic Medicine Promotion Act, privacy protections for medical data, and the challenges of preventing genetic discrimination. She has documented the development of Japanese genome research regulations over two decades, highlighting key lessons for future policy. Her scholarship increasingly addresses practical implementation issues, including patient and public involvement in national genomic projects, ethical review processes, and the specific challenges of applying genomic medicine across the lifespan from prenatal to pediatric care. Her work consistently bridges theoretical ethical frameworks with practical regulatory solutions.
- No specific awards mentioned in the provided information
While specific students aren't listed, Professor Yokono has served as a mentor through various research projects and committees. She leads multiple significant research initiatives, including "Research into ethical, legal, and social issues related to whole-genome analysis of humans" (2021) and "Building Legal Policy to Close ELSI Lag for Fair Use of Gene Information" (2022-2026). Her grant portfolio includes projects funded by the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED), Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS), and the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. These projects focus on developing ethical frameworks for genomic medicine, addressing genetic discrimination, and creating sustainable governance models for medical data usage. She has also contributed to international research collaborations, particularly with Oxford University where she served as an academic visitor.
Professor Yokono is affiliated with multiple research entities at Waseda University, including the Center for Data Science and Center for Higher Education Studies. She serves as a Concurrent Researcher at both centers, indicating her interdisciplinary approach. She is also connected to the Global Education Center at Waseda. Her committee work shows strong connections with national research infrastructure, particularly through her involvement with the National Center for Child Health and Development Research Ethics Committee and various AMED (Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development) initiatives. Her leadership in developing the Certified Research Ethics Professionals system demonstrates her role in building research ethics capacity across Japan.
