Deliberating or dithering? Ireland and human embryonic stem cell research

Area of Science:

• Bioethics
• Public Policy
• Stem Cell Research

Background:

• Pluralist democracies face inevitable moral disagreements on public policy.
• Deliberative democracy offers a procedural approach to resolving societal moral conflicts.
• Ireland currently lacks a legislative framework for human embryonic stem cell (hESC) research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose the establishment of a procedural regulatory framework for hESC research in Ireland.
• To examine regulatory models from other European democracies for application in Ireland.
• To adapt a three-tier procedural regulation model used in the UK and Germany for Irish hESC research.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of deliberative democracy principles.
• Comparative study of regulatory frameworks in European democracies, specifically the UK and Germany.
• Evaluation of a three-tier procedural model for regulating hESC research.

Main Results:

• The UK and Germany have utilized a three-tier procedural model to regulate hESC research effectively.
• This model provides a pathway to achieve regulatory certainty in a complex ethical area.
• Application of this model can inform the development of Irish regulations for hESC research.

Conclusions:

• Ireland should establish a procedural framework for hESC research regulation.
• A European-style, three-tier model offers a viable approach for Irish policymakers.
• Implementing such a framework will facilitate ethical and regulated hESC research in Ireland.