Researchers highlight “regenerative healing” as a holistic framework for future health innovations

A new paper by Professors Michael V. Sefton (University of Toronto) and Malcolm King and Alexandra King (University of Saskatchewan) introduces the term “regenerative healing” as a complementary, more holistic concept to regenerative medicine. The authors suggest the framework may better reflect Indigenous perspectives on health and wellness and support more inclusive conversations about emerging biomedical therapies. 

This was published in a recent issue of Tissue Engineering Part A. 

Regenerative medicine focuses on repairing, replacing, or regenerating tissues and organs using cell- and gene-based approaches, including 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 alongside rehabilitation, lifestyle, environment, culture, ceremony, and community relationships. 

The paper draws on discussions with First Nations and Métis Knowledge Holders during gatherings organized in advance of national “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 interconnection 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,” the authors write, may provide a more inclusive starting point for dialogue with patients, families, and communities.