How Controversy and Socioeconomic Factors Influence Stem Cell Research
Adult stem cells dominate worldwide stem cell clinical trials. We investigated factors that may explain levels of stem cell research across different countries. Stem cell trials from clinicaltrials.gov were counted and categorized based on the country, the type of stem cell used, and whether that type is ethically controversial. The trial data were compared with characteristics of the countries such as population and GDP. We looked at the general ethical position of the countries by ranking their favorability toward abortion via their legislation. We found GDP…