Stem Cell Science and Its Public: The Case of Singapore

Abstract

In this paper, we attempt to elucidate a "public" that has emerged in response to the work of the Bioethics Advisory Committee (BAC)-an expert body appointed by the Singapore Government-that culminated in the publication of two reports relating to stem cell science and technology. We follow Annelise Riles in explicating a recursive form from which both the "public" and stem cell science and technology draw reference in their co-production. In this regard, we borrow Sheila Jasanoff's terminology of "civic epistemology" in explicating this form, with focus on the practices institutionalised in the BAC and the ways in which knowledge claims are presented, tested and put to use in the public domain. We further attempt to provide an analysis of particular ethical constructs (such as "embryo" and "egg") that have emerged. In so doing, we illustrate the development and refinement of a "civic epistemology" since 2001 whilst setting out the current ethical landscape in Singapore.