Stem cell therapy represents a paradigm shift in medicine by working on rebuilding the body at the cellular level, as opposed to existing symptom treatments. Today, it is possible to reprogram a skin cell into an induced pluripotent stem cell (iPS), which can then mature into other cells. Stem cell research has therefore created great hopes for new treatments of incurable diseases, but few stem cell therapies have been tested and translated into actual treatments. At the same time, there are ethical and patient-related issues associated with the treatment method, and there is a lack of studies that illuminate these issues.
This project is an ethnographic Ph.D. study of patient experiences in connection with a series of new clinical stem cell trials. The project is carried out as part of the flagship center STEMBRACE, which is an interdisciplinary research group consisting of researchers affiliated with Odense University Hospital and the University of Southern Denmark. The STEMBRACE group examines stem cell treatment from different angles, involving anthropologists, philosophers, geneticists, and health economists.
Purpose
The project examines the considerations and hopes that different patient groups have when deciding to participate in stem cell trial, as well as how they understand and experience the process along the way. This knowledge aims to provide insight into patient-related issues and questions related to stem cell therapy as a treatment method and to form the basis for better patient support and counseling in connection with the development of new stem cell therapy.
Method
The project is based on a qualitative field study with participant observation at clinics undertaking stem cell trials, as well as an interview study, which through in-depth interviews follows a number of patients throughout the treatment process.
Project period
01.06.2024 – 31.05.2027
Collaboration and funding
The project is part of the OUH/糖果派对 flagship centre STEMBRACE