How physicians and scientists can respond responsibly and effectively to religiously based opposition to human embryonic stem cell research

Received 19 May 2007; received in revised form 22 October 2007; accepted 22 October 2007. published online 07 January 2008.

Physicians and scientists should respond to bioethical and public policy controversies about human embryonic stem cell research by insisting that public policy meet the requirements of fairness. Doing so denies religiously based objections their current “trumping” power and supports public funding and regulation of human embryonic stem cell research.

Key Words: Human embryonic stem cell research, ethics, fairness, public policy

a Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, New York

b Center for Medical Ethics and Health Policy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas

Reprint requests: Laurence B. McCullough, Ph.D., Center for Medical Ethics and Health Policy, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, Texas 77030 (FAX: 713-798-5678).

PII: S0015-0282(07)03927-1

doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2007.10.044

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