CEU Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2010
| Author | Tóth, Borbála |
|---|---|
| Title | Politics of Biotechnology in Hungary - Between Regulation and the Market |
| Summary | Based on Cass R. Sunstein’s argument, this thesis seeks to answer the question whether the state should play a more active role in the Hungarian cord blood banking market by establishing a publicly owned cord blood bank. According to Sunstein, if citizens have all available information and opportunities in the current situation, they are not constrained in their decision-making. The thesis overviews briefly the history, background and medical debates of cord blood banking in general. It depicts the regulation of harvesting, processing, storing and transplanting cord blood stem cells in Hungary. Additionally, the thesis presents the operating cord blood banks of Hungary, takes a look at the ethical concerns raised in the literature, and examines whether they are valid in Hungary. In order to broaden the picture on the Hungarian cord blood banking market, it relies on a series of qualitative interviews and the content analysis of relevant legal documents. The thesis finds that generally the beneficence of private cord blood banking is highly debated. The technical standards are regulated in Hungary, but a regulation niche can still be found in the current policy. Even though citizens can access all information, not all of them have the opportunity to access and use the services of cord blood banks. This thesis argues for state intervention in the Hungarian cord blood banking market according to Cass R. Sunstein. Citizens are biased in their decision-making because the opportunity is lacking. The principle of equality of opportunity is harmed as some citizens cannot enjoy the blessings that cord blood stem cells offer. |
| Supervisor | Judit Sandor |
| Department | Political Science MA |
| Full text | https://www.etd.ceu.edu/2010/toth_borbala.pdf |
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