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Stem cell politics, ethics and medical progress

Nature Medicine volume 5, pages 1339–1341 (1999)Cite this article

Abstract

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.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Health Law Department, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, 02118, Massachusetts, USA

    George J. Annas

  2. Center for Bioethics, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, 19104, Pennsylvania, USA

    Arthur Caplan

  3. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, 60612, Illinois, USA

    Sherman Elias

Authors
  1. George J. Annas
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  2. Arthur Caplan
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  3. Sherman Elias
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Annas, G., Caplan, A. & Elias, S. Stem cell politics, ethics and medical progress. Nat Med 5, 1339–1341 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1038/70900

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