Introduction
Stem cell research has brought remarkable potential in cell growth in early life and growth. Stem cell offers the potential of addressing certain problems that humans face. The understanding of basic mechanisms of stem cell research aids human development and differentiation. Such an approach is vital in the treatment of diseases such as diabetes, spinal cord injury and other terminal illnesses (Lo and Parham, 2009). The stem cells research has generated many ethical research issues. Ethical debates on stem cell research continue to dominate the political scene.
One of the major issues relating to informed consent touches on the issue of obtaining consent. According to Caulfield, Ogbogu and Isasi (2007), embryos need to be donated by individual who no longer need them for reproductive purposes. As such, researchers or hospitals need to ensure that all ethical requirements are met prior to obtaining the embryonic cells for research. Furthermore, the treating physician needs not to be involved in the stem cell research protocol (Caulfield, Ogbogu and Isasi, 2007). If the treating physician is caught up in the stem cell research, he or she may put unwarranted pressure on the patients to donate their embryos. Additionally, individuals or patients heavily reliant on their physician may be too willing to accept anything their physician tells them. Physicians need to provide patients with all the necessary information and allow them to make decisions by themselves without any external influences.
Problems may also arise from issues regarding withdraw of consent. According to Hyun (2013), the nature and limits of withdrawal of potential donors can cause significant challenges. For instance, if a donor wishes to withdraw at a very later stage what are the approaches that have to be taken into account? Furthermore, the question of how the research will be conducted can be influenced by the donor. Certain policies may limit the right to withdrawal from clinical trials to certain specific times especially nearing the stem cell creation. In cases where the research participants are allowed to withdraw from the research after the stem cell has been created, there could be profound problems for the researchers. Most of the researchers at this stage normally have committed their time and labor in the production of the stem cell lines hence may view the withdrawal of consent as a setback. Research participants can pull out at any time without facing any repercussions since the consent is not a legally binding contract. In stem cell research, the stem cell created can be viewed as an extension of the donor’s health record and rightly so has the right to retain control over it. Thus, the extent of consent withdrawal remains a contentious issue for both the donor and the researcher. As such, such situations require the consideration of reality to avoid adverse impacts.
It is the obligation of the hospital organization to ensure that there is a balance with the consent of the donor and the researchers. The organization has a duty to ensure that donors are not coerced to make decisions relating to consent. Especially when dealing reproductive material, the hospital needs to take into consideration the emotional and moral significance of the donor’s reproductive materials to ensure that issues do not escalate.
References
Caulfield, T., Ogbogu, U., & Isasi, R. M. (2007, June 5). Informed consent in embryonic stem cell research: Are we following basic principles? CMAJ: Canadian Medical Association Journal Supplement. pp. 1722-1725.
Hyun, I. (2013). Bioethics and the future of stem cell research.
Lo, B., & Parham, L. (2009). Ethical Issues in Stem Cell Research. Endocrine Review, 30(3), 204-213.
