Thursday, August 17, 2006
Transnationals
Appearing this week in Science is a piece entitled, ‘Integrity in International Stem Cell Research Collaborations’ which explores issues surrounding transnational research collaborations when different countries view the stem cell issue in widely varying ways. It seems one major issue was that of extraterritorial jurisdiction; or in other words, can a country control what its scientists do when they are outside their borders.
Apparently, some countries can (and do) and others do not. For example, German researchers do not seem to have the right to engage in human embryonic stem cell research, even if on British soil, whereas Italian scientists may do so, provided they are not actually in Italy.
Perhaps even more curious is the question of ethical responsibilities of scientific journals. How much information is the journal required to know in regards to the origin of these scientific materials; ie, the informed consent process in regards to donations of embryos, gametes, etc.? Further, if the research collaboration occurred outside of a scientist’s home country, can the publications resulting from that collaboration be taken into account for promotions, awards, etc.?
It would seem a bit unfair that a scientist could somehow circumvent the law by approaching international collaborators and producing research in another country. In this case, it would not seem fair to consider those publications when judging that scientist against their collaborators in their home country. But how different is this from the process of collaboration in general? If a scientist wishes to move forward in a direction that requires equipment or supplies that they cannot afford, they reach out to researchers who have those materials, often times in different departments or universities. Can we consider living in a country that permits human embryonic stem cell research to be simply having more resources?
***as a follow up, appearing today (8/18/06) in the NYTimes is an article describing how American scientists are moving to Singapore to conduct stem cell research.
Apparently, some countries can (and do) and others do not. For example, German researchers do not seem to have the right to engage in human embryonic stem cell research, even if on British soil, whereas Italian scientists may do so, provided they are not actually in Italy.
Perhaps even more curious is the question of ethical responsibilities of scientific journals. How much information is the journal required to know in regards to the origin of these scientific materials; ie, the informed consent process in regards to donations of embryos, gametes, etc.? Further, if the research collaboration occurred outside of a scientist’s home country, can the publications resulting from that collaboration be taken into account for promotions, awards, etc.?
It would seem a bit unfair that a scientist could somehow circumvent the law by approaching international collaborators and producing research in another country. In this case, it would not seem fair to consider those publications when judging that scientist against their collaborators in their home country. But how different is this from the process of collaboration in general? If a scientist wishes to move forward in a direction that requires equipment or supplies that they cannot afford, they reach out to researchers who have those materials, often times in different departments or universities. Can we consider living in a country that permits human embryonic stem cell research to be simply having more resources?
***as a follow up, appearing today (8/18/06) in the NYTimes is an article describing how American scientists are moving to Singapore to conduct stem cell research.
# posted by Sarah : 10:23 PM
