June 14, 2024
Japan Society for Reproductive Medicine
Norihiro Sugino, 17th Chairperson of the Executive Board
I am deeply honored to have been appointed as Chairman of the Executive Board of Japan Society of Reproductive Medicine, a society with a long history and tradition. I am also keenly aware of the heavy responsibilities that come with this role. Under the guiding principle of the society, "The Japan Society of Reproductive Medicine aims to develop reproductive medicine in Japan by demonstrating wisdom and good sense, fostering medical professionals who will lead society, and providing safe, reliable, and high-quality medical care to the public," I am determined to dedicate myself wholeheartedly to the development of our society. I humbly ask for your support.
In recent years, scientific and technological advancements have been remarkable. Since the year before last, generative AI has garnered attention, quickly spreading across the world due to its high functionality and simplicity. However, various issues such as copyright, misinformation, and accuracy have emerged, sparking debates on how it should be used. With technological progress comes the inevitable emergence of potential problems. In reproductive medicine, various issues are also being discussed, such as preimplantation genetic testing (PGT-A/SR, PGT-M), egg freezing without medical indication, and the provision of eggs and sperm. These are not difficult to achieve with modern medical technology. However, due to complex associated issues and ongoing debates, the benefits are limited to a few. Meanwhile, there are calls for respecting women's reproductive rights and their right to self-determination. Ethics vary among individuals and evolve over time. As technology continues to advance, it is essential to address the accompanying issues effectively and quickly apply the advanced technologies so that patients can widely benefit from them. Those of us involved in reproductive medicine understand the profound wishes of patients desiring children. Facing these distressed patients, reproductive healthcare providers also experience anguish. I intend to listen attentively to the voices of members actively engaged in clinical reproductive medicine. Recognizing the high societal interest in the form of reproductive medicine our society leads, I aim to respond swiftly to what patients, members, and society truly need.
The application of insurance to reproductive medicine, which began in 2022, is the first step towards enabling patients to widely benefit from advanced reproductive medicine. I will continue to strive so that patients can receive these benefits. As an academic organization, our mission is to scientifically evaluate the accuracy, validity, and safety of reproductive medical technologies and present them to society. The importance of providing high-quality medical care and contributing to society is a shared understanding with the Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Going forward, while closely collaborating with the Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology, I hope that the Japan Society of Reproductive Medicine will demonstrate leadership and deliver advanced reproductive medicine to patients.
The official journal of our society, "Reproductive Medicine and Biology" (RMB), has shown a promising start, achieving its first impact factor of 3.239 in 2020, followed by 4.009 in 2021, and 3.4 in 2022. Moving forward, we aim to establish RMB as a prominent journal in Asia, on par with America's "Fertility & Sterility" and Europe's "Human Reproduction." While it is crucial to promote the presence of RMB globally, I also seek the continued support of our members.
On the homepage of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Yamaguchi University School of Medicine, where I work, my greeting states, "As an obstetrician-gynecologist and a professor at the medical school, I am committed to dedicating my life to the happiness of women through clinical practice, research, and education." This sentiment remains unchanged. Furthermore, through activities within our society, I wish to devote my life to the happiness of patients. I am determined to dedicate my utmost efforts to making the Japan Society of Reproductive Medicine a vibrant and attractive society. I earnestly ask for the support of all our members.