Science communication in regenerative medicine: Implications for the role of academic society and science policy

Ryuma Shineha; Yusuke Inoue; Tsunakuni Ikka; Atsuo Kishimoto; Yoshimi Yashiro

doi:10.1016/j.reth.2017.11.001

Science communication in regenerative medicine: Implications for the role of academic society and science policy

Regen Ther. 2017 Dec 6:7:89-97. doi: 10.1016/j.reth.2017.11.001. eCollection 2017 Dec.

Authors

Ryuma Shineha¹, Yusuke Inoue², Tsunakuni Ikka³, Atsuo Kishimoto⁴, Yoshimi Yashiro⁵

Affiliations

¹ Seijo University, Seijo 6-1-20, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 157-8511, Japan.
² University of Tokyo, 4-6-1, Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-0071, Japan.
³ National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, 4-2-2, Ogawa-Higashi, Kodaira, Tokyo 187-8551, Japan.
⁴ Osaka University, Yamadaoka 1-1, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan.
⁵ Kyoto University, Shogoin Kawaharacho 53, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan.

Abstract

It is essential to understand the hurdles, motivation, and other issues affecting scientists' active participation in science communication to bridge the gap between science and society. This study analyzed 1115 responses of Japanese scientists regarding their attitudes toward science communication through a questionnaire focusing on the field of stem cell and regenerative medicine. As a result, we found that scientists face systemic issues such as lack of funding, time, opportunities, and evaluation systems for science communication. At the same time, there is a disparity of attitudes toward media discourse between scientists and the public.

Keywords: RM, regenerative medicine; RRI; RRI, Responsible Research and Innovation; Regenerative medicine; SCR, stem cell science; Science and technology policy; Science communication; Stem cell research; iPS, induced pluripotent stem.