The Role of Interest Groups on Stem Cell Research, Essay Example

Stem cell research was first recognized in 1998 by the scientific researcher, Dr. James A. Thomson of University of Wisconsin, Madison and has become a leading controversial issue in politics. Thomson’s stem cell research was proposed in order to design new types of treatments for diseases. (AAAS) Stem cell therapy is a treatment that transplants stem cells into organs and cells of patients in order to improve the function of diseased tissue. (Swan, 2) The reason that stem cell research is controversial is that the stem cells are derived from human embryos. Dr. James Thomason found in his research that stem cells could change into any type of human cell, whether blood or tissue. (AAAS) The ethical issue that arises is that stem cell research requires the destruction of human embryos. This issue led to a debate in regard to the methods for research and the method for the creation of embryos for research. (Ruiz-Canela, SR-25). In addition, Congress immediately placed a ban on the breakthrough scientific research making it ineligible for any type of funding through the National Institute of Health (NIH). (AAAS) Thomason continued his research through private funding and in 1999, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) concluded that scientists could in fact use public funds for research on stem cells gathered that the derivation of the cells (the destruction of the embryo) was used from private funds.

One reason for the approval of stem cell research was through the activity of interest groups. “Interest groups are associations or organizations of individuals who share a common interest and assert their collective strength in the political process to protect — and in some cases, expand — that interest (Ragone)”. These groups form in order to engage in the political agenda, change the policy debate and reinforce an avocation. There are tactics and strategies that interest groups use in order to become successful in their interest, such as lobbying the government, engaging in election activities, educating various publics and mobilizing various publics. (Democracy in America) For instance, the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) is an example of an interest group that has been lobbying for stem cell research. In November 2004, California voters passed Proposition 71, which endorsed $3 billion in taxpayer-supported bonds to stem cell research. In return, these types of groups are beneficial to politicians because political candidates receive endorsements if they are on board with the lobby cause. (Dryer 312) For instance, the campaign for Proposition 71, which distributed money to support stem cell research, brought support from many politicians and organizations who opposed George Bush’s restraints on stem cell funding. The lobbying from CIRM and other organizations led to the proposition passing by 59 to 41%. (Center for Genetics and Society 7)

Some interest groups that are formed through non-profit organizations or educational institutions do not finance or support political candidates. Unlike other interest groups, these types of groups use their reputation and “name” in order to influence decision making on a particular issue. (Dryer 312) The Yale Stem Cell Interest Group (YSCIG) is an example of an interest group formed at an educational institution. The YSCIG focuses on applying stem cells for use in biology, medicine and non-scientific implications. This group is run directly by Yale students and supervised by the Yale faculty stem cell researchers. Since Yale is a prestigious institution it has great potential in its lobbying for stem cell. (YSCIG)

Interest groups also engage in election activities. Interest groups can influence elections in order to facilitate the people who support the issues in which they are concerned with. Interest groups do this by giving money to candidates, endorsing candidates or their campaign issues, and conducting grassroots activities, such as get-out-the-vote drive. (Democracy in America) The interest groups make agreements with supporters of the campaign in order to help drive the campaign and get the voters. In the case of Proposition 71, CIRM was required to pursue financial returns to the state. “Both the affordability and accessibility of any successfully developed treatments, and the prospect of the state receiving a share of any profits, depend of the intellectual property (IP) agreements that the CIRM makes with the researchers and institutions that will receive its grants (Center for Genetics and Society 8)”.

Interest groups also educate their members, potential interest group members, the public, and government officials about their particular issue. For instance, the Genetic Interest Group (GIG) is an interest group that supports the supply of new stem cell lines and believes that the lines should continue to be considered a national strategic issue. The GIG promotes stem cell research to remain a high priority for funding organizations. The group does this by communicating with both patients and the public on the current issues surrounding stem cell research. As far as educating the public goes, the politics involved with Congress are up against a diversity of different interest groups, for and against stem cell research. In addition, the scientific researchers become less influential in educating the public because some interest groups base their arguments and debates on morality. Morality usually beats the rational debates. The morality debates also receive media attention and capture the focus of the general public. Stem cell research is one of the controversial issues in which some stem cell research interest groups would base their arguments on morality; however, ultimately, congress and the white house are the final decision makers on the policies. (Nisbet et al., 37) For instance, women’s health and public interest groups are against stem cell research. They believe it is morally wrong to subject young women to undergo invasive egg extraction surgeries in order to use eggs to create stem cells. In addition, these groups argue that it is ethically wrong to offer a woman thousands of dollars for their eggs, while downplaying all the risks that are involved in the procedure. (Darnovsky)

Interest groups mobilize the public to influence policy making. In order to do this, they use people that are motivated to speak and represent their group and to act on behalf of their issues and causes. This includes grassroot activities, such as writing letter, phone calling and contacting policy makers. (Democracy in America). For instance, interest groups look to patients that are in need or have undergone stem cell therapy. On June 23, 2004, “142 patient groups, universities and scientific societies sent a letter to the White House requesting for the President to expand the policy, which severely curtails embryonic stem cell research and hinders potential treatments and cures (Conquer Chiari).” In addition, they use the media to influence people to side with their feeling on the stated issue. “Not only do the media influence the attention of competing political actors and the public but the media also powerfully shape how policy issues related to science and technology controversy are defined, symbolized, and ultimately resolved (Nisbet et al., 38)”.

The stem cell research issue has become a huge controversial issue that has prompted several interest groups that advocate for the continued research as well as for the termination of the research for several different reasons, both scientific and ethical. (Oakley 2) Stem cells have been used as a tool for potential medical use. However, medically useful these cells are, it has brought great political and moral controversy to the public eye. (Department of Health and Human Services) Numerous interest groups have been formed in order to advocate for the right to research stem cells and for the termination of the right to research the cells. Whichever side, the interest groups strategies and tactics are the same in order to have their voice heard. These strategies such as lobbying, engaging in election activities, and educating and mobilizing the public have proven successful for the most part for stem cell research interest groups.

Works Cited

AAAS. “AAAS Policy Brief: Stem Cell Research”. Web. August 2011. December 7 2011 <http://www.aaas.org/spp/cstc/briefs/stemcells/>.

California Stem Cell Report. “Stem Cell Agency’s now ranked No. 1 in California. November 2, 2001”. Web. November 2 2001. December 7 2011. <http://californiastemcellreport.blogspot.com/2011/11/stem-cell-agencys-lobbyist-now-ranked.html >

Conquer Chiari. “Patient Groups Lobby for Expanded Stem Cell Research…” Web. December 7. 2011. < http://www.conquerchiari.org/subs%20only/Volume%202/Issue%202(7-8)/Patient%20Groups%20Lobby%20(7&8).asp >

Darnovsky, Marcy. “Women’s health and public interest groups warn against putting women’s health at risk in new kind of research cloning.” Web. October 5. 2011. Genetics and Society. December 7. 2011< http://www.geneticsandsociety.org/article.php?id=5877 >

Department of Health and Human Services. “Plan for Implementation of Executive Order 13435: Expanding Approved Stem Cell Lines in Ethically Responsible Ways”. Print. September 18, 2007. 25pp

Dryer, Trevor D. “Gaining Access: A State Lobbying Case Study”. Journal of Law & Politics. Print. Vol.XXIII:281-327.

Genetic Alliance UK. Web. December 7. 2011. http://www.geneticalliance.org.uk/docs/MRCConsultatononsupplyofHumanEmbryonicStemCells_021007.pdf

Nisbet, M.C., Brossard, D. and Kroepsch, A. “Stem Cell Controversy in an Age of Press/Politics.” Press/Politics 8(2):36-7036-70. Print.

Oakley, J. “Democracy, embryonic stem cell research, and the Roman Catholic church”. 2002. J Med Ethics. 28:228. Print.

Ragone, Nick. “What are Interest Groups?” NetPlaces. Web. December 7. 2011. http://www.netplaces.com/american-government/interest-groups/what-are-interest-groups.htm

Ruiz-Canela, Miguel. “Embryonic stem cell research: the relevance of ethics in the progress of Science”. 2002. Med Sci Monit. 8(5): SR21-26. Print.

Swan, Melanie. “Steady Advance of Stem Cell Therapies”. Web. December 7. 2011. http://melanieswan.com/documents/WSCS_2011.pdf.

Yale School of Medicine. Yale Stem Cell Interest Group. Web. December 7. 2011. http://stemcell.yale.edu/about/interest.aspx