Conclusion: Society and Trust

While participants may be ambivalent about actively entering into the debate of whether and how to progress human embryo research, there is no doubt that all of them agreed that it is a complex subject of considerable importance, and that it is profoundly important for New Zealand to determine the best way of handling the science.

The cost-benefit analysis that people could see at the heart of the debate is about nothing less than the nature of the society itself.

For instance, among the costs of progressing the science, participants perceived:

• Commercial greed dominating common sense.
• The progression of science without regard for social benefit.
• The prioritisation of individual choice.
• An increase of materialistic values.
• Humankind rising above its station (‘playing God’).

And among the benefits, participants perceived:

• Possible cures for many diseases.
• The extension of mortality.
• The possibility of saving loved ones.

As a result, participants paradoxically neither wanted to be consulted nor to be left out of the consultation. That is, while they wish to have their opinions known and respected, there was also a clear sense that they expected strong representation by experts in many areas: from the biological sciences to social justice to spiritual guidance.

No single body was deemed capable of integrating this many experts. Of those discussed:

Scientists:

Are seen to be too guided by professional ambition to be trusted with more than an accurate account of what is possible and what their intentions are.

Business:

Is seen as having a role in supporting science, but cannot be trusted to work in the interests of anyone other than shareholders.

Government:

Is seen by many as an indispensable watchdog, rule maker and enforcer, but (a) politicians are also seen as professionally opportunistic (especially due to the mud slinging among politicians taking place at the time of fieldwork) and (b) were seen by some to have a bad track record in managing science in the past, as in the case of the development of nuclear weaponry, which was regarded as a state government requirement, more than a scientific interest.

Church:

The Church was regarded as an important representative of many opponents, although there is doubt about the extent to which religious leaders are culturally in touch with their constituents.

Ethnic groups:

Were seen within the research as having distinct, unique issues with embryo research generally, but also regarded along with church as being inadequately familiar with the science itself.

The preferred mechanism was for some form of round table, with weak agreement that it should be convened at ‘arms’ length’ by central Government.

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