FEATURE ARTICLE
An American scientist in Tehran
Rudolf Raff
The Royan conferences on reproductive biology are hosted by the Royan Institute in Tehran, one of the premier research institutions in the Muslim world. The word royan means embryo in Farsi, and the institute has a strong emphasis on human embryonic stem cells and reproductive biomedicine. The Iranian government is enthusiastic about supporting stem-cell science. Researchers must obey some ethical rules: human reproductive cloning is not allowed, and Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the country's spiritual leader and highest authority, has warned researchers to be careful that making parts of human beings does not lead to the production of a human being. Within those guidelines, scientists in this field are well supported by the religious government. When the Royan Institute moved to a new building this year, Khamenei visited to express his support. The new building is very modern and the institute attracts the best students.
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