文摘
U.S. human stem cell policy making has evolved since late 1998 to become one of the most prominent public affairs controversies of the 21st century. This research is an exploration of U.S. human stem cell policy making through August 2001. It includes a historical review of U.S. embryonic and fetal human subjects research policy. The purpose of this research is to examine the most recent Bush administration position on human stem cell policy in the context of established policy. The theoretical construct of Majone's policy core, and Schon's contributions on "dynamic conservatism" and the social process of bringing policy ideas into "good currency" are utilized here.;This study involved a review of public affairs and prominent human stem cell scientific literature. Pertinent public laws, Executive Orders, Congressional bills, the reports of national commissions, and other recent non-scientific publications on stem cells were examined. A brief meeting with Dr. James A. Thomson in May 2001 also provided information.;Present U.S. human stem cell policy making has emerged from an institutional human embryonic and fetal policy core developed over decades. "Dynamic Conservatism" has been demonstrated in the suppression of vanguard policy challenges associated with embryonic bioscience. Despite the endorsement of a series of national commissions and expert panels, the more controversial aspects of embryonic research, such as the creation of embryos for research purposes, have frequently been ignored by Congress and Presidents. The social controversy associated with human stem cell policy making, as a process of social change, involves the institutional constraints imposed by not only existing legislation and policies, but conflicts in ongoing "norm-setting" and "norm-using" actions.;New variants on this enduring American controversy involving human subjects protections for developmental forms of human life will emerge. Advances in bioscience will serve as drivers to rekindle the controversy. Dynamic conservatism and incrementalism will likely continue to be demonstrated by those seeking to retain the policy core in its existing form.