Studies of public views on stem cell research have traditionally focused on human embryonic stem cells. With more recent scientific
research on developing other stem cell sources, a series of focus group studies was undertaken with Canadian adults to examine
their views on different stem cell sources (adult, umbilical cord blood, human embryonic stem cells, somatic cell nuclear
transfer or SCNT, and interspecies nuclear transfer, or iSCNT). Views on three different policy models—a permissive, middle-of-the-road
and restrictive policy approach—were also explored. Participants were recruited from several different social groups including
patients, young adults, seniors, members of two ethnic communities, and a mixed group of adults. Participants were generally
supportive of the use of adult stem cell sources. While there was also majority support for the use of hESC and SCNT, this
was conditional on strict regulatory oversight. There was also majority support for a permissive policy which allows research
on hESC and SCNT. General themes that cut across different groups included the potential cost of new technologies to the health
care system, issues around who would gain access to these technologies, and trust in the scientific establishment and regulatory
systems. A diversity of viewpoints was found as participants justified their positions on stem cell sources and policy approaches,
showing more complexity and nuance than has been generally portrayed.
Keywords Stem cell research - Public perceptions - Focus groups - Stem cell policies - Human embryonic stem cell attitudes - Therapeutic cloning attitudes
The authors acknowledge support for this study from the project “Towards the clinic: ethical, legal, and social issues relevant
to emerging stem cell therapies” funded by the Stem Cell Network of Canada.