Tom Fudge: Stem cells provide some of the greatest hope for curing some of the most devastating diseases. But the promise of stem cells comes with a couple of reservations. First, dramatic cures for diseases like Alzheimer’s and Lou Gehrig's disease are still a long way off. Also, the most promising kind of stem cells -- embryonic cells -- are subject to a tremendous amount of ethical controversy. President Bush placed serious restrictions on funding of embryonic stem cell research in 2001. Bipartisan support for more funding in Congress has, so far, failed to overcome the president's veto power.
This afternoon, San Diego’s Salk Institute will host a stem cell ethics conference. Joining me to talk about ethics, and stem cells in general, are Larry Goldstein and Laurie Zoloth.
The conference, which is free and open to the public, is sponsored by the Center for Ethics in Science and Technology and the San Diego Research Ethics Consortium. Space is limited and registration is required. Visit
http://ethicscenter.net
for more details.
Guests
- Dr. Larry Goldstein, professor in the Department of Cellular & Molecular Medicine at the UCSD School of Medicine and director of the UCSD Stem Cell Program.
- Dr. Laurie Zoloth, director of Center for Bioethics, Science and Society and professor of Medical Humanities & Bioethics and Religion at Northwestern University.
End Music: What Does Your Soul Look Like? (Part 2) by DJ Shadow, from the album Preemptive Strike (1997)
