Taken from U of T Engineering News:
Framework may better reflect Indigenous perspectives on health and wellness, and support more inclusive conversations about emerging biomedical therapies
A paper by Professors Michael Sefton (BME, ChemE) and Malcolm King and Alexandra King from the University of Saskatchewan, introduces the term regenerative healing as a complementary, more holistic concept to regenerative medicine. Published in Tissue Engineering Part A, the authors suggest the framework may better reflect Indigenous views on health and wellness, and encourage more inclusive conversations about emerging biomedical therapies.
Regenerative medicine focuses on repairing, replacing or regenerating tissues and organs using cell- and gene-based approaches. Tactics include technologies such as cell therapies, tissue engineering, and gene editing.
In contrast, regenerative healing broadens the lens beyond biomedical intervention to consider physical, mental, emotional, social and spiritual dimensions of well-being. It encompasses medical treatments but does so alongside rehabilitation, lifestyle, culture and community relationships.
The paper draws on discussions with First Nations and Métis Knowledge Holders held during gatherings in advance of the 7 Directions Summits on regenerative medicine and organ donation. Participants emphasized the importance of community-driven decision-making, the need to include diverse Indigenous voices and the connection between individual consent and community values. They also raised questions about spirituality in relation to new medical technologies and highlighted the role of ceremony in healing processes.
The authors note that early engagement with communities and people with lived experience remains limited in preclinical research. They argue that integrating Indigenous ways of knowing — such as Two-Eyed Seeing, which combines strengths of Indigenous and Western knowledge systems — can help guide equitable development, access and evaluation of regenerative therapies. They also call for attention to affordability, ethics and social impacts as technologies advance.
The paper concludes that building trust in health research will require ongoing public engagement and openness to broader definitions of healing. Framing discussions in terms of regenerative healing, may provide a more inclusive starting point for dialogue with patients, families and communities.