Talking About Stem Cells

Research Centre for the Social Sciences

The University of Edinburgh

http://www.talkingstemcells.ed.ac.uk

This three year study funded by the ESRC & BBSRC explores the scope for public engagement in stem cell research. It has two parallel aims: firstly, to explore the social, cultural and ethical issues generated by stem cell research; and secondly, to assess a range of public engagement techniques.

These techniques will include focus groups, education packs for schools and public meetings, along with innovative approaches such as citizens' panels and other dialogic opportunities.

Positive efforts will be made to engage the full spectrum of Scottish society, including hard-to-reach groups, potential users of therapies and other groups of publics as well as scientists working in the field of stem cell research.

It is intended that this project will explore diverse issues relating to stem cell research and provide an empirically-based analysis of public engagement practices. It will draw on theories and concepts developed within the sociology of scientific knowledge and public understanding of science research.

The specific objectives are:

• To examine how diverse groups of publics and scientists view a range of issues surrounding developments in SCR

• To 'situate' people's views in terms of their social identities and locations, and salient wider themes in contemporary culture

• To initiate a range of methods for promoting and researching public engagement in SCR, using the same social groups

• To analyse these efforts for insights into the social processes involved, and to explore practical ways of extending public participation in decision making about SCR.

We are exploring several clusters of social and ethical issues: including: the sources of stem cells; the use of animals in SCR; 'reproductive' versus therapeutic cloning; commercialisation and implications for healthcare.