Policy Interoperability in Stem Cell Research: Demystifying Harmonization

• Published in: Stem cell reviews Vol. 5; no. 2; pp. 108 - 115
• Main Author: Isasi, Rosario M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Humana Press Inc 01-06-2009
• Subjects: Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biomedical Engineering and Bioengineering; Cell Biology; Embryo Research - ethics; Embryo Research - legislation & jurisprudence; Humans; Hypothesis and Commentary; International Cooperation - legislation & jurisprudence; Life Sciences; Public Policy; Regenerative Medicine/Tissue Engineering; Stem Cell Transplantation - ethics; Stem Cell Transplantation - legislation & jurisprudence; Stem Cells; Systems Integration; Policy; Ethics; Policy convergence; Stem cell banks; Law reform; Transfer hESC lines; Legislation; Stem cells; Stem cell tourism; Cross-border research; Harmonization; International research
• ISSN: 1550-8943; 1558-6804; 2629-3277
• DOI: 10.1007/s12015-009-9067-z

Scientific developments in the field of stem cell research continue to emerge at incredible speed and so too has the contentious debate surrounding their broad implications. Though economic, socio-ethical and legal concerns remain, at both national and international forums; we are witnessing a departure from an “embryo-centric” approach, to one that is focused on the globalization of research and to the ensuing need for policy interoperability. The common response to the challenges associated with the meaning, scope, and ethical significance of variance in national policies, is a call for the creation of uniform legal and ethical standards. However, this call towards policy convergence on the fundamental ethical and governance principles underpinning policies choices has led to confusion and to the mystification of the notion of harmonization. In this article we aim demystify the notion of policy harmonization in the context of stem cell research. We will do so by surveying the diverse elements to be harmonized. We will then present the problems of policy interoperability in the context of the globalization of SC research, in order to propose that the goal of harmonization in this field lies in the identification of prospective strategies to foster seamless cross-jurisdictional collaboration. Finally, policy interoperability will be analyzed through the lens of a range of policy approaches addressing the cross-jurisdictional transfer of hESC lines with the aim of demonstrating that the apparent ethical-political-legal divide in some contexts largely vanishes once we grasp the notion of harmonization and identify points of convergence.