The Impact of Commercialisation on Public Perceptions of Stem Cell Research: Exploring Differences Across the Use of Induced Pluripotent Cells, Human and Animal Embryos

Stem cells for spine surgery

“…Embryonic stem cells, pluripotent cells derived from the inner cell mass of an embryo, have been considered as a treatment option for SCI [84] . Although these cells can divide infinitely and have greater differentiation potential than adult stem cells, their use is highly controversial [85][86][87][88][89] . A Chinese surgeon who claimed to have cured SCI in hundreds of patients without complications by injecting them with olfactory ensheathing cells isolated from aborted fetuses was received with great skepticism and sparked fierce debates about the ethicality of such research [90][91][92][93] .…”

Effect of Education Level and Religion on Attitude to Stem Cells in Malaysia

“…Therefore, those who probably disagree with the application may argue that human embryos should be accorded equal moral status to fully developed humans, and subsequently exhibit higher level of moral concern and less favored with the application (Hudson et al 2005; American Academy of Pediatrics 2012). The survey in 2013 revealed that the Australian public were significantly more likely to support research using iPSCs (derived from hASCs) than hESCs, suggesting that the source of stem cells is important in terms of the level of public support and trust (Critchley et al 2013). …”

“…Previously, Australian and European studies have suggested that the attitude towards stem cell research is negatively correlated with low level of awareness (engagement) and high level of religiosity (Gaskell et al 2010;Critchley et al 2013). The Australian public were found to be more likely to support research using iPSCs than hESCs, suggesting that the public is not entirely comfortable with the use of embryonic material (Critchley et al 2013).…”

“…Previously, Australian and European studies have suggested that the attitude towards stem cell research is negatively correlated with low level of awareness (engagement) and high level of religiosity (Gaskell et al 2010;Critchley et al 2013). The Australian public were found to be more likely to support research using iPSCs than hESCs, suggesting that the public is not entirely comfortable with the use of embryonic material (Critchley et al 2013). Meanwhile, the Eurobarometer conducted in 2010 revealed that those who say they are a member of one of Europe's major religious denominations are less less supportive of hESC research, and more likely to support governance based on ethics rather than science (Gaskell et al 2010).…”

A Primer on Ethics Education for Stem Cell and Biomedical Scientists

“…Stem cell researchers should learn what a translational and commercialization ethos in science means in terms of changes in funding policies [115][116][117], increase in university-driven patents and licenses [118,119], and the potential pressure to translate and commercialize results [120,121]. The commercialization ethos has called into question a range of ethical and integrity issues including minimizing data sharing and increase in competition and secrecy [121][122][123][124], potential bias of research and ghost authorship [125,126], and the potential to adversely impact public participation in research [127]. Topics surrounding hype, commercialization, stem cell tourism, and effective communication are intimately intertwined and represent some of the current tangible ethics issues that would be of direct interest and practical significance to stem cell scientists.…”