The goal of this project is to identify, evaluate and address both the near- and long-term challenges raised by IP and data/materials sharing practices in stem cell research against an analysis of science as a public good, as operationalized in an Asian context. The specific objectives are to:
1) refine the Manchester consensus recommendations for the Japanese and Chinese contexts. These recommendations should:
a. identify the challenges faced by different stakeholders in Japan and China;
b. refine the set of moral principles that should govern the work; and
c. propose a context-sensitive set of recommendations for addressing challenges faced by current stakeholders, while optimizing the just distribution of downstream benefits
2) identify those guidelines from the refined, Japan- and China- specific set that may be actionable at the institutional, regional or national level in these countries; and
3) begin conversations about operationalizing these guidelines.
The principal products of this project will be:
1) a description of Asia-specific challenges raised by current proprietary structures in stem cell research and specified governing principles;
2) a vetted and refined catalogue of practical, forward-looking recommendations (aimed at investigators, institutions, funders, governments) to address these challenges;
3) a list of those recommendations that may be practically operationalized in institutions in Japan and China; and
4) a network of scholars, industry representatives, lawyers and policy-makers willing to engage in ongoing work.
Proprietary Challenges in Stem Cell Research 