Commercialization and Stem Cell Research: A Review of Emerging Issues

Abstract

researchers are likely to continue into the foreseeable future.This article provides a brief overview of issues associated with commercialization and stem cell research. We highlight some commercialization policies in this fi eld and discuss concerns and issues that may arise in research environments facing signifi cant commercialization pressure. Commercialization is likely to be a valuable and essential tool in translating biomedical research, and stem cell research in particular, into viable clinical therapies. The benefi ts of commercialization strategies include more rapid translation of research into clinical products and greater overall investment in stem cell research [4,12]. Indeed, for many stem cell innovations, links with industry are essential for the translation and dissemination process. However, as we discuss below, there are researchers and] industry and efforts to turn university -based research into marketable products and services " [6,11].The fi eld of stem cell research in particular has been subject to signifi cant commercialization pressure. Scientists face pressure from funding agencies and the public to develop stem cell therapies that will reach the clinic within a short period [12,13,102,103]. A recent survey of stem cell researchers found that 88 % of respondents felt " moderate " or " intense " pressure to create clinical applications from their work [14]. To date, there has been only limited success in translating stem cell research into clinical therapies, but this has not dampened expectations in, or enthusiasm for, the fi eld, as the phenomenon of " stem cell tourism " attests [12,13]. The commercialization pressures facing stem cell ABSTRACT Stem cell researchers face pressure to develop therapies that will reach the clinic within a short period of time. Yet, this pressure may be unrealistic, as bringing stem cell innovations to the clinic will likely require signifi cant time and fi nancial investment. In a variety of biomedical fi elds, some evidence suggests that commercialization pressures and strategies may negatively impact research. These negative impacts may also be felt in the fi eld of stem cell research, unless the challenges and issues are addressed in the design and implementation of commercialization policies. Further inquiry into the impact of commercialization on the fi eld of stem cell research is required.

Organoids as hybrids: ethical implications for the exchange of human tissues

“…Simultaneously, financial resources coming from industry are necessary to bring novel treatments from ‘bench to bedside’, as public funding is limited 5 10. This results in an increasing pressure to commercialise stem cell technologies, that is, to turn research into marketable products or services 5. The same applies to organoid technology.…”

Overcoming barriers to facilitate the regulation of multi-centre regenerative medicine clinical trials

“…This raises considerations of justice and affordability of the treatment, as well as priority setting and the possibility for government funding, if at all [ 22 , 25 ]. Furthermore, there is the pressure placed on clinician-researchers for rapid clinical translation and continuing commercialization of the stem cell therapies under development [ 25 , 26 ], which may in turn impact integrity [ 27 ]. Indeed, the general issues faced in all clinical research such as the return of results, informed consent, and privacy are part of RMCTs as well [ 28 , 29 ].…”

Umbilical cord blood banking: from personal donation to international public registries to global bioeconomy

“…These considerations are not intended to call into question the foundation of a system based on the voluntary, unremunerated donation of UCB (namely, a gesture of altruism), but it must be recognized that even in systems founded on unpaid and voluntary donations, the transfer of cells, tissues, blood, and organs from one country or continent to another generates the movement of not inconsiderable sums of money; as a consequence, there is an inevitable “impact of commercialization” in this field. 92 …”