Abstract

Background: The aim of this paper is to justify whether and to what extent access to expensive, technically demanding stem cell research or therapy could be possible for the poor population in terms of equity and social justice in Bangladesh. Methods: A total number of 51 articles were scrutinized based on specific themes, following searches in PubMed, Hinari, Web of science, Web of Knowledge and Google Scholar databases, between September 2011 and May 2012. Moreover, different guidelines were taken into consideration. Results: Stem cell research is in its primary experimentation level and the results are still to achieve. Religious barriers and moral judgments, economic constraint and social justice are key issues in stem cell research in Bangladesh. Bangladesh lacks minimal health care service, pure water supply and sanitation for its population with a struggling health budget and the agendum of stem cell research is absent there. Based on equity and justice, it is still questionable whether to go for stem cell research/therapy, where its impact in public health setting is very low let alone allocate public funding or even to allow private investment/collaborative research on stem cell. Conclusion: For a resource poor health care setting in Bangladesh, involvement of public funding in stem cell research should be made in research support when this research is only reasonably related to the promotion and protection of public health. Besides, a concrete guideline needs to be formulated to monitor and prevent commercialization and exploitation, addressing religious and cultural values.