Policy, Equity and Priority: Ethical Issues of Stem Cell in Developing Countries

Ever-increasing advances in the field of bioethics have been encouraged by recent developments of biomedical technologies. Stem cell research and therapy are among the most promising approaches in medicine of which are raised some ethical challenges. Likewise, the therapeutic potential of stem cell-based therapies created new policy concerns for health care systems, particularly the issue of equity, priority in resource allocation and justice. There are arguments against and in favor of funding for stem cell research. Governments have also diverse policies in encouraging private sector sponsorship to support researches. Iran is one of the pioneers in the field of human embryonic stem cell research in the region. The religious decrees permitting therapeutic purposes have paved the way for wide-ranging researches. Indeed, the researchers have an obligation to observe moral values. Therefore, the national specific guideline for gamete and embryo research, compiled in 2005, is followed in this issue. In this paper, we will discuss the major ethical concerns relating to the issue of equity and justice, and will review the regulatory policies for stem cell research and therapy. On the whole, stem cell research is a global enterprise about which there is a need to think in the context of globalisation and also from the perspective of the developing countries. Stem cell based therapies are expensive and technologically demanding, the low-resource healthcare systems need to consider a specific national policy and to weigh up costs and benefits to consider making such treatments available. We must ensure that rights, values and welfare of the donor, recipient and the community are respected.