Stem cell politics, ethics and medical progress.
Tremendous controversy has surrounded efforts to undertake research on totipotent human stem cells. To date public policy in the United States has attempted to skirt the ethical and social questions raised by this research. Annas et al. argue that research using human embryos as a source of totipotent stem cells can secure broad public support if there is an open and public discussion about the ethical justification for undertaking such research and the assurance of adequate federal regulation and oversight.
Annas
G J
GJ
Health Law Department, Boston University School of Public Health Boston, Massachusetts 02118, USA.
Caplan
A
A
Elias
S
S
D037881:Aborted Fetus; D026683:Advisory Committees; D000818:Animals; D019976:Cloning, Organism; D033041:Embryo Research; D004992:Ethics, Medical; D035082:Federal Government; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000166:cytology; D033161:Government Regulation; D006801:Humans; D028681:Moral Obligations; D009316:National Institutes of Health (U.S.); D053652:Nuclear Transfer Techniques; D011247:Pregnancy; D011640:Public Policy; D012107:Research Design; D035845:Research Embryo Creation; D012109:Research Support as Topic; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013234:Stem Cells; D014481:United States