Policy entrepreneurs and controversial science: governing human embryonic stem cell research

Abstract

Policy entrepreneurs are political actors who seek policy changes that shift the status quo in given areas of public policy. This contribution examines the actions of policy entrepreneurs who have sought government funding and favourable regulation to advance human embryonic stem cell research. Those policy entrepreneurs have faced significant opposition owing to the morality issues at stake. Placing the actions of those policy entrepreneurs in a broader context makes two contributions. First, it explores how policy entrepreneurs pursue their goals in the face of intense morality politics. Second, it illustrates how the work of policy entrepreneurs can be both supported and inhibited by ideas, institutions and interest-group politics.

Keywords:

• Advocacy coalitions
• governance
• human embryonic stem cells
• morality policies
• policy entrepreneurs
• regulation

Notes

Author's calculations using population data from the CIA's World Factbook (2012) and the OECD's (2010) databases on science and technology indicators.

I am grateful to Baroness Deech for verifying this interpretation of her activities at the HFEA.