I (Dr O) just finished reading a powerful new book, Stem Cell Century: Law and Policy for a Breakthrough Technology by Russell Korobkin and Stephen R. Munzer, professors at UCLA School of Law. People in the medical field often assume that science marches forward, while they tend to forget (and even sometimes disregard) the societal concerns and objections to new technologies and scientific ideas. Never before in the history of modern medicine has a new discipline generated so much controversy and opposition, as well as hope and promise, as the newly emerging field of stem cell biology. Consequently, the law and policy making will play as much role for the future of this field as the science itself, including its bench and clinical research.
Messrs. Korobkin and Munzer subdivided the book into 10 easy to read chapters. The biology principles are explained clearly at the beginning of the book. What follows then is a thoughtful analysis of the issues--legal, societal, ethical, etc.--and how to present them to the public and defend them in the courts. Authors discuss a wide range of issues in stem cell biology--stem cells, cloning, IVF, embryos creation, and more--and the surrounding legal arguments, anything from constitutional concerns, to patent law, to rights of patients to receive treatments, even if these therapies are controversial and not proven. The legal and policy issues, precedents and a wide range of controversies are laid out in the book in a plain manner, so anyone outside of the legal profession would understand.
I throughly enjoyed the book. The authors not only formulated the game plan on how to pursue and to defend the future of stem cell biology, but they have also presented an illuminating account of the beauty of thought that underlies the legal profession itself.
Must read: Stem Cell Century: Law and Policy for a Breakthrough Technology by Russell Korobkin and Stephen R. Munzer; Yale University Press (November 28, 2007)
