A large group of developing countries did relatively well during the Great Recession, thanks to the broader room for countercyclical macroeconomic policies, and the world economy will continue to be more dependent on the developing world than any we have known in history.
In this article, the authors compare two different approaches to establishing stem cell policy: a defined policy (U.K.) and a changing policy (U.S.). The U.K. has a clear and precise policy, agreed upon and supported by lawmakers, scientists and the public. By contrast, U.S. federal policy is continuously being updated based on balancing political ideologies and advances in science, and it only regulates federal funding. By investigating these contrasting policy approaches, the authors hope to demonstrate the impact of policy on stem cell research and public opinion.
Kirstin Matthews, fellow in science and technology, answers questions regarding the biology, practical uses and ethical dilemmas surrounding stem cells.
This study assesses the state of stem cell research in the Greater Middle East, reports on the policy and ethical considerations facing the region, and determines the impact of international research collaborations in this area.
Jesse M. Flynn, Kirstin R.W. MatthewsMarch 3, 2010
In March 2009, the James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy and the Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development co-hosted a workshop in Doha, Qatar, on stem cell research, policies, and regulations. The event highlighted current stem cell science, as well as stem cell policies and ethics. The discussion focused on policies around the globe and the religious views of embryonic stem cell research from the Christian, Jewish, and Muslim perspectives. The workshop was organized so that outcomes from the event could be relevant to the development of Qatar"s up-and-coming stem cell research. Based on the presentation from the event, the advisory panel for the Baker Institute International Stem Cell Policy Program made a series of recommendations for the new stem cell initiative in Qatar, including the suggestion for outreach to the Qatari community.