Resource allocation and commercialization stem cell

There are many patients, scientists, politicians and even bioethicists who have paid tribute to stem cell therapy and its hypes and hopes (Murdoch, et al.,  2010), despite debates on safety and efficacy. Commodification of human  embryos is a concern expressed by many ethicists. There may be loss of equity in access to stem cell benefits, as many people would not be able to pay the high cost of this new treatment.

Resource allocation and distributive justice are related important issues. Limited resources

of health care systems raise questions about research priorities in many societies. Stem cell research is expensive, and its outcome may not be useful for many  patients or healthy people.  Thus,  it  could  be  argued  that  money  can  be  more  effectively  spent  for  more important health care plans which cover a vast range of diseases and large numbers of the general population.

However, many argue that banning stem cell research by governments would not stop such research in the private sector. Private research can raise concerns about commercialization of stem cell research,

which may result in unfair distribution of benefits within society (Balint,

2001). So, some conclude that federal funding and support of research on embryonic stem cells is the only approach that may guarantee the fair distribution of benefits (Balint, 2001). Moreover, such policy can provide the way for more strict observance of ethical standards by researchers.

Private  sectors  usually  tend  to  allocate  their  resources  to  fields  with  high  potential  of financial gain. However, priority of resource allocation in the public budget by governments depends  on  some  other  factors,  including:  public  health  needs,  scientific  value  of  the proposal, potential for advances in a  particular area, distribution across diverse research areas, and national training  and infrastructure needs (Dresser, 2010). Funding stem cell research is not  considered a research priority in some countries, due to other health care needs and limitations of health budget. Many underdeveloped or developing countries are obligated to devote research funds to common disorders with high rates of mortality and morbidity.

Stem cell tourism and fear of negative health consequences due to lack of enough oversight are  other  concerns  which  have  attracted  special  attention  among  ethicists  and  medical practitioners. Such matters deserve separate discussion elsewhere, particularly as they are not unique to stem cells.