AUTHOR: Elizabeth Clayton, Joseph Eliahoo, Vassilios Papalois
KEYWORDS: Stem cells, embryonic, ethics, survey
ABSTRACT: Embryonic Stem Cell Research (ESCR) has the potential to determine the cause of cancers and chronic diseases and therefore produce treatments and possible cures.
There are however complex ethical issues associated with ESCR, which require worldwide debate and thorough exploration.
We aimed to survey the views of clinicians and research scientists with regard to ESCR. The study was based on a structured questionnaire. Participants were recruited from the West London Renal and Transplant Centre and its affiliated
departments at the Hammersmith Hospital, London.
There was clear evidence that the participants were fully in agreement that ESCR has great potential (88%) (p<0.0001) and are keen for it to be regulated by a statutory body. Only 15% felt that ESCR is ethically unacceptable under any
circumstances. Of the participants, 76% agreed that ESCR is ethically acceptable in the early stages of embryo development.
Participants were highly likely to offer established treatment that came from ESCR to a patient (83%), accept this treatment themselves (87%), and accept this treatment for their loved ones (89%) (p<0.0001). Most would participate in an ESCR study as a researcher, but a significantly smaller number would be equally agreeable to be a research patient in an ESCR study.
A clear majority of the participants were in favour of structured, well-regulated ESCR.
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