UC Irvine

Despite the increasing visibility of the LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and other expansive genders or sexual orientations) community, LGBTQ+ persons continue to face significant barriers, discrimination, and stigmatization in the health care space. The unique challenges faced by LGBTQ+ persons in healthcare led bioethicists to develop queer bioethics. This approach to ethical reflection suggests that we should develop understanding of biomedical and biological topics related to LGBTQ+ persons and that we should examine topics not traditionally associated with LGBTQ+ persons through a queer lens. Here, we argue that queer bioethics provides valuable new perspectives for improving stem cell science. We examine specific issues that should be examined using a queer bioethical framework for the benefit of all persons and the overall advancement of stem cell science. We specifically address strategies for stem cell donation recruitment, creation of more comprehensive stem cell models for precision medicine, and the promotion of more inclusive practices for LGBTQ+ persons in the stem cell science workforce. We contend that these important and timely topics provide suitable starting points for applying a queer bioethical perspective to stem cell research and regenerative medicine. Furthermore, we underscore the importance of addressing these topics in the current political climate.