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Stem Cells: Science, Ethics, and Politics in Dialogue

Few advances in science have generated as much controversy as have recent discoveries in the study of human embryonic stem cells. The potential of these cells to replace dead or damaged cells in any tissue of the body may herald the advent of a new field of medicine that can deliver cures for diseases now thought to be incurable. These remarkable cells, therefore, have captured the imaginations of scientists and clinicians alike and given a new sense of hope to patients.

The controversy lies in the technique required to harvest these cells: destruction of the human embryo, whether obtained from in vitro fertilization or cloning. And because the crux of the controversy depends not on a scientific definition of human life but on personal definition, which in many cases derives from religious faith and personal belief systems, the debate cannot easily be settled. Indeed, the controversy is worldwide and each nation has entered into its own internal deliberation on the subject. In the United States, the Congress has been discussing the subject for several years with no legislation forthcoming. On a federal level, only rules that establish the use of federal funds for work with human embryonic stem cells have been established, and these only by Presidential Initiative. On a State level, the rules vary widely. For example, in California, such research is allowed but reproductive cloning is not; in other states, all human embryonic stem cell research is banned.

This symposium - Stem Cells: Science, Ethics, and Politics in Dialogue - will give a broad overview of the essential aspects of this controversial new field and will encourage dialogue between the audience and the speakers. The symposium will conclude with a panel discussion including all speakers and the general audience.

For further information, please contact: Barbara Abell at babell@uci.edu or Kristen Monroe at: krmonroe@uci.edu