Everyone has heard of stem cells and the biomedical revolution they herald, but what are these cells, and what should we make of them? Does China have a different ethical framework for valuing unborn life? Western politicians have warned against the growing reliance on China for embryonic and fetal stem cell research. In truth, what scientists mean by 'stem cells' is changing so fast that even they have trouble keeping up. Margaret Sleeboom-Faulkner explores the complex nature of stem cell research in China.

Margaret Sleeboom-Faulkner is Reader in Anthropology at the University of Sussex. Her work focuses on processes of nation-state building in China and Japan and on biotechnology and society in Asia. She is the author of various books on East Asia, editor of collected volumes on biotechnology in Asia, including 'Frameworks of Choice: Predictive and genetic testing in Asia' and 'Human Genetic Biobanks in Asia: Politics of trust and scientific advancement'.

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Dr Margaret Sleeboom-Faulkner at the University of Sussex