Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
to how best to support the future of the industry. These
recommendations included building collaborations between public
and private industry, the establishment of the UK Stem Cell Bank,
enhancing existing infrastructure, implementing appropriate
regulatory frameworks, improving the availability of funding,
coordinating research projects across all the Research Councils and
building better communication about stem cell research with the
British public. The UK Stem Cell Network was also formed as a
result of the recommendations made in the Pattison Report.
In Canada, the specific components of the NIS approach to
managing the stem cell sciences have mainly focused on the establishment
of the Stem Cell Network. This Network represents a consortium of
individual scientists and social scientists, universities, public interest
organizations and funding bodies. In effect, the Stem Cell Network is
a one-stop shop for everything to do with stem cells, including training
opportunities for junior researchers, administering funding for senior
researchers, conducting research into social issues and ethics, public
advocacy on behalf of the broader community, and feeding back into
policy development for stronger outcomes for the future of stem cell
research in Canada (
http://www.stemcellnetwork.ca
).
In China, management of stem cell innovation occurs via a number
of channels. First, the central government is a major supporter of
basic research programmes and administers most of the programmes
that provide financial support (Salter et al., 2006). Second, new
biotechnology research centres were established to concentrate
resources in particular areas (Salter et al., 2006). Third, the research
and development workforce in China is among the largest in the
world (Salter et al., 2006). Fourth, pursuing development in health
biotechnologies and the stem cell sciences more specifically is a
stated policy goal (Salter et al., 2006).
In India in 2005 the government announced a joint departmental
'Stem Cell Initiative', with a National Task Force on Stem Cell
Development charged with implementing this plan (Salter et al.,
2007). Although research outputs have remained static for some
time, and retaining highly skilled personnel is difficult, India has a
rapidly developing biotechnology sector (Salter et al., 2007). One
estimate suggests that the biotechnology industry in India is growing
