Cardiff University | Prifysgol Caerdydd ORCA
Online Research @ Cardiff 
WelshClear Cookie - decide language by browser settings

Local biologicals and the politics of standardization: Making ethical pluripotent stem cells in the United Kingdom and Japan

Mikami, Koichi and Stephens, Neil 2016. Local biologicals and the politics of standardization: Making ethical pluripotent stem cells in the United Kingdom and Japan. BioSocieties 11 (2) , pp. 220-239. 10.1057/biosoc.2015.35

[thumbnail of art%3A10.1057%2Fbiosoc.2015.35.pdf] PDF - Published Version
Available under License Creative Commons Attribution.

Download (252kB)

Abstract

In 2003, the United Kingdom and Japan had adopted relatively similar approaches to human embryonic stem cells science. The decade since has witnessed significant divergence in their national policies as differing responses to ethical questions about research use of human embryos emerged. The United Kingdom pursued a vision of ‘institutionally accredited stem cells’ by reconfiguring the role of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority and establishing the UK Stem Cell Bank. In contrast, Japan followed a vision of ‘technically advanced stem cells’ by developing induced pluripotent stem cells and supporting its research programs enthusiastically. Our research – drawing upon extensive fieldwork in both countries – demonstrates the socio-technical arrangements developed to instantiate these visions and articulates their divergence while at the same time revealing their connectedness. This relationship becomes progressively evident as the two visions face each other in the politics of standardization in global stem cell science. Drawing on Franklin’s concept of local/global biological, we discuss the connectedness of the two local arrangements. In so doing, we explicate the future challenges for both countries as they need to demonstrate the significance of their visions in this global enterprise, while the success of one would likely undermine the significance of the other.

Item Type: Article
Date Type: Publication
Status: Published
Schools: Social Sciences (Includes Criminology and Education)
Subjects: B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BJ Ethics
Q Science > QH Natural history > QH426 Genetics
Uncontrolled Keywords: stem cell science; pluripotent stem cells; ethics; standards; regulation; local biologicals
Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan
ISSN: 1745-8552
Funders: ESRC
Date of First Compliant Deposit: 30 March 2016
Last Modified: 02 Jun 2023 01:24
URI: https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/77841

Citation Data

Cited 5 times in Scopus. View in Scopus. Powered By Scopus® Data

Actions (repository staff only)

Edit Item Edit Item

Downloads

Downloads per month over past year

View more statistics