Faculty Fellow and professor Diana Bowman is one of the 31 recipients of a 2018 Andrew Carnegie Fellowship. Bowman, who was selected for the prestigious fellowship from roughly 300 finalists, proposed a study of the legal and ethical implications of a new reproductive technology called mitochondrial donation, a technology that allows for three-parent families.
“I’m still in a state of shock,” said Bowman, speaking with ASU Now. “I see this award as a team honor, not an individual honor. I’ve had some of the most amazing mentors and teachers in my career, so I really felt as much about recognition of all their work and support rather than just my own.”
Each Andrew Carnegie Fellow receives up to $200,000 to devote to their research. Mitochondrial donation is a new frontier in reproductive technology. Faulty mitochondrial DNA is passed through the female line and can result in mitochondrial disease. Mitochondrial donation allows doctors to remove the faulty DNA and replace it with healthy mitochondria from a female donor. This results in an embryo with DNA from three people.
Bowman’s study fits well with the Center’s work on emerging technology. “The fellowship is recognition of the ground-breaking legal, ethical and social analysis that Center for Law, Science & Innovation has been engaging with on emerging technologies for many years,” said Bowman. “It will also provide another opportunity for our Center scholars to engage in cutting edge research and contribute to the national conversation on an area of important medical advancement.”