1 Shaping Social Opinions of Stem Cell Research in Taiwan Prof. Tsai, Duujian 2007, Asian Bioethics Conference, Bangkok, Thailand

2 The significance of Stem Cell Research Bring out new viewpoints on disease therapy, diagnosis and prevention. Relate to ELSI controversy, such as embryo living rights, social ethics and humanitarian values. Consider the perception and acceptability of the public on SCR and its applications. Merge the public consensus into the fundamental ethical and legal governance framework.

3 The Process of Our Questionnaire Design I)Literature Review: ELSI viewpoints and legislation of stem cell research in many leading countries. Social opinion survey in Taiwan. II) Consensus Meeting III) The Test of Reliability and Validity

4 Taiwan Genomic Survey by Academia Sinica Population ：≧ 18 y/o people in Taiwan Sampling ： Random sampling by telephone number. Method ： based on telephone survey; interview and focus group are in supplementary. Survey Interval ： 1-3 times annually since Main Topics ： Genomic Medicine and Agricultural Biotechnology.

5 Taiwan Genomic Survey by Academia Sinica Limitations: Samplings of the survey toward all population. Various concepts related to genome and biotechnology are covered in each single survey.

6 Taiwan Genomic Survey Have you ever heard “ Stem Cell ” ? Frequency % Never % I've heard, but not understood % I've heard, and somewhat understood % I've heard, and highly understood252.30% Total % Source: Academia Sinica(2004) Taiwan Genomic Survey. Available online at

7 Taiwan Genomic Survey Have you ever heard "Stem Cell"? Never I've heard, but not understood I've heard, and somewhat understoo d I've heard, and highly understoo d Total Education Level Junior High School and under 12.90%12.80%6.30%0.50%32.60% 40%39%19%1%100% Senior High School and Junior College 1.50%16.80%15.30%1.00%34.60% 4%49%44%3%100% Undergraduate and Above 1.10%10.80%18.10%2.80%32.80% 3%33%55%8%100% Unanswered 0.10% Source: Academia Sinica(2004) Taiwan Genomic Survey. Available online at

8 Taiwan Genomic Survey Technically speaking, do you think scientists can make the following by using "Human Stem Cells" ? Have you ever heard "Stem Cell"? Heard, but not understoodHeard, and understood Cultivate Human Spinal Marrow Yes 68.00%87.90% No 7.10%4.30% Unknown 24.90%7.80% Cultivate Human Livers Yes 36.70%49.80% No 26.20%27.60% Unknown 37.20%22.60% Cultivate Ornamental Plants Yes 23.70%22.60% No 40.60%54.10% Unknown 35.70%23. 3% Cultivate Pig's Hearts Yes 29.30%28.00% No 34.00%49.00% Unknown 36.70%23.00% Source: Academia Sinica(2004) Taiwan Genomic Survey. Available online at

9 Taiwan Genomic Survey Do you Agree or Disagree following statement? Agree Disagre e No Comme nt No Respon se Total It's immoral to use biotechnology in human cloning Frequency %45.00%34.00%11.10%9.80%100% It's unmoral to use biotechnology in human organ cloning Frequency %32.80%49.40%7.80%9.90%100% Source: Academia Sinica(2004) Taiwan Genomic Survey. Available online at

10 Limitation in Taiwan Genomic Survey Samplings of the survey toward all population. Therefore, － The specialty of SCR itself is ignored. － The more understanding on SCR, the better public attitude is shaped. － The public’s limited understanding on the multiple applications of stem cell. Selective Sampling

11 The Target Population in Our Research Religions: Christian, Catholic, Buddhist, Taoism and Islam. Academic Experience ： professionals in philosophy, medicine, psychology, public health, sociology, etc. Medical Personnel ： physicians, nurses, social workers. Medical Resource Users ： organ donators/recipients, infertility patients, and rare disease patients. Legal & Professional ： lawyers, staff at legal films. Civil Service ： governmental officers. Student ： college and university students General Public ： persons who have been interested and involved in biotechnology.

12 Limitation in Taiwan Genomic Survey Various concepts related to genome and biotechnology are covered in single survey. － Topics: Human Cloning, Stem Cell Research, Gene Testing, Biobank, Geneticly Modification Food. － Do the interviewees really understand the difference?? － It may confuse or mislead respondents because of its intricate concepts.

13 Taiwan Genomic Survey Should the survey be more specific on Stem Cell solitarily ? BiobankStem Cell Focus on Public HealthFocus on Medicine Long-term following in Epidemiology The application to Medical Technology Population’s health and well being Individual’s dignity, rights and interests

14 The Process of Our Questionnaire Design II) Consensus Meeting: 1.To collect and present the views concerning ELSI among communities, and the points they are concern about. 2.To discuss the proper ethical and legal governance framework in stem cell research. 3.To promote the communication and cooperation among communities through “empowerment” strategy.

15 Dimensions of Our Questionnaire The knowledge and perception of stem cell research and embryo identity. The definition and attitude of stem cell research under the ethical and legal governance framework. The acceptability of stem cell research and it’s applications within Taiwan culture and environment.

16 Dimensions of Our Questionnaire The diverse opinions on the conflict between purpose of medical treatment and values of living will. The applications, goals and values in stem cell research and embryo identities, according to the ethical and legal framework.

17 Questionnaire Part 1. Embryo Stem Cell Research What does embryo present in the stem cell research? How do you consider the values of embryo? what kind of development stem cell can function? （ multiple choice ） Do you know what achievement the stem cell research will conduct? (multiple) Do you agree with the sources as following for stem cell research? (multiple) Do you agree to destroy the embryo in which has been selected to produce embryo stem cell?

18 Questionnaire Part 2. Human Cell Nucleus Transplant Technology Do you support research based on human cell nucleus transplant technology? (multiple) Do you agree to use donated cells for the human cell nucleus transplant technology? Do you support the experiments on human cell nucleus transplant technology? Will you donate your own cells for experiments on human cell nucleus transplant technology? Will you donate your own ova for experiments on human cell nucleus transplant technology? Why are you willing to donate your own cells or ova for the experiment on human cell nucleus transplant technology? （ multiple ） Why are you not willing to donate your own cells or ova for the experiment on human cell nucleus transplant technology? （ multiple ）

19 Questionnaire Part 2. Human Cell Nucleus Transplant Technology Would you agree to have research personnel keep in touch with you after your cell or ovum donation? Would you like to receive research information or results after your cell or ovum donation? How do you consider the donation of cells or ova for cell nucleus transplant technology? (multiple) Do you agree that human cell nucleus transplant technology should go through the academic ethics examination? Which authority should survey over the human cell nucleus transplant research? (multiple) Which authority should take part in the human cell nucleus transplant research? (multiple) What should be the reward for your cell or ova donation? （ multiple ）

20 Questionnaire Part 3. Ethics Committee Do you think that it is necessary to establish an ethics committee to supervise the national stem cell research? What is the basic reason for you to approve an ethics committee? （ multiple ） What is the basic reason for you to against an ethics committee? （ multiple ） What is the obligation and responsibility for an ethics committee to conduct? (multiple) What qualification should be included for the personnel of an ethics committee? (multiple)

21 Conclusion/ Principle of Questionnaire It’s meaningless to ask for public opinions on an issue required conception and understanding. It’s a way to comprehend the opinions of leaders and stakeholders from selective sampling, instead of general public, initially.

22 Conclusion/ Principle of Questionnaire To incorporate correct and neutral scientific knowledge into a survey form concerning of Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (KAP), this social opinion survey will not only be a questionnaire but also an educative knowledge medium.

23 What we want to try in the future Survey on public opinions remains significant. The prerequisite on the role of the ethical governance guidance on stem cell research. Provide further public opinion surveys with information, such as the outcome of research and previous surveys concerning the opinions of community leaders.

24 Thank you for your attention Any further questions, please feel free to contact professor Tsai via