Stepping Into and Out of the Void: Funding Dynamics of Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research in California, Sweden, and South Korea

Abstract

Nonprofit organizations and philanthropists stepped into a funding void caused by controversies over public funding of human embryonic stem cell (hESC) research. Based on interviews of 83 representatives of 53 funders, we examine the motivations and accountability structures of public agencies, corporations, fundraising dependent nonprofit organizations and philanthropic organizations that funded hESC research in three jurisdictions: California, Sweden, and South Korea. While non-traditional forms of funding are essential in the early stages of research advancement, they are unreliable for the long timeframes necessary to advance cell therapies. Such funding sources may enter the field based on high expectations, but may exit just as rapidly based on disappointing rates of progress.

Rationalizing Science: A Comparative Study of Public, Industry, and Nonprofit Research Funders

“…They have also attracted a lot of negative attention, as their existence is based on the destruction of a potential life, thus activating all the classical anti-abortion arguments of the pro-life movement (Gottweis et al 2009 ). The empirical setting of human embryonic stem cell research funding is suitable for studying NPF, as legislative limitations on public research funding have increased the role of NPF in this research area (Weinryb and Bubela 2016 ). In the United States (US), federal funding was severely restricted under George W. Bush, and also the European Union (EU) has implemented severe restrictions as to the use of federal means for some parts of the research.…”