Public Forums
The Public Forum is a quarterly series of educational sessions designed for the general public. This evening program is offered free of charge and covers topics that include: the basic science; religious and ethical perspectives; public policy issues; the economics of stem cell science; and, discussions of the overall field. Topics are generated based on input from attendees. The program is typically held on the Harvard campus.
Stem Cell Public Forum: Policy and Funding Considerations for Stem Cell Research
May 20, 2008
In August, 2001, George Bush banned the use of federal funding for any embryonic stem cell research using stem cell lines created from that point forward. Since then, individual philanthropists, foundations, and state governments have struggled to fill the funding and regulatory void created by this unprecedented Presidential action.
With all the remaining candidates in this year’s Presidential race on-record advocating NIH support for this promising research, what is the likelihood of a radical shift in the funding landscape? What are the options for a coordinated policy and funding approach between the states and federal government?
The video of this event runs 1 hour and 32 minutes.
Stem Cell Public Forum: Stem Cells and Key Diseases
March 11, 2008
Advances in stem cell research have the potential to create life-saving treatments for debilitating diseases and injuries, many of which have been virtually impossible to treat with existing therapeutics. Researchers in diabetes, cardiovascular, nervous system and blood diseases are looking at options that involve stimulating existing stem cell populations, transplanting stem cells and coaxing targeted stem cells using chemical compounds. Which methods demonstrate promise and what are the key questions being addressed in the lab?
The panel featured five scientists who discussed the state of experiments being done in the laboratory to identify areas of progress and potential.
The video of this event runs 1 hour and 37 minutes.
Stem Cell Public Forum: Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering
December 6, 2007
Tissue engineering has the potential to transform how we think about treating injury and disease. Imagine being able to grow replacement organs for patients in the laboratory from stem cells, creating a virtually unlimited supply for transplantation, or injecting stem cells to repair a heart damaged by heart attacks. Imagine being able to repair life-threatening birth defects while still in the womb.
The panel featured four scientists whose research is actively pursuing these goals, who discussed the opportunity, progress, and challenges currently facing the field of tissue engineering.
The video of this event runs 1 hour and 17 minutes.
Stem Cell Century: A Book Discussion
November 28, 2007
Partnering with Harvard Law School's Petrie-Flom Center for Health Law Policy, Biotechnology and Bioethics, HSCI co-sponsored a November, 2007 book discussion on Stem Cell Century: Law and Policy for a Breakthrough Technology. Moderated by Brock Reeve, HSCI Executive Director, the event featured remarks by the book's author, Russell Korobkin, Professor of Law at UCLA and Visiting Professor at Harvard Law School. Discussants included HSCI's Kevin Eggan; Frances Kamm, Professor of Philosophy at Harvard and Littauer Professor of Philosophy and Public Policy at the Kennedy School of Government, and; Pamela Samuelson, Professor of Law and Information at UC Berkeley and Visiting Professor of Law at Harvard Law School. C-Span BookTV covered the session for national broadcast.
The video of this event runs 1 hour and 41 minutes.
Stem Cell Public Forum: Stem Cells and the Media
October 18, 2007
Almost all news about science and medicine reaches the public through the filter of the media. So how well does the media - in its myriad forms - explain the stem cell story, a thick stew of important basic scientific studies, often outlandish claims, contentious politics, and fervently-held religious beliefs?
The panel featured four journalists intimately familiar with the stem cell story, who discussed the challenges and difficulties of covering this, the most important life-sciences story of the decade.
The video of this event runs 1 hour and 44 minutes.
Stem Cell Public Forum: Stem Cell Science 101
June 26, 2007
What is a stem cell? What makes it so special? Does it really matter whether we use adult or embryonic stem cells? What is SCNT? What is the difference between a blastocyst and an embryo? What promise does stem cell research hold for curing disease? Are you intrigued by what you've heard about stem cell science, but find you need to know more?
The panel featured three of HSCI's leading researchers for an evening of discovery. Drs. Cowan, Daley and Wagers presented the science in easily understood terms and provided the clinical perspective to help illustrate how this science is affecting the outlook for disease treatment. Ample time will be devoted to questions from the audience.
The video of this event runs 1 hour and 50 minutes.
Religious Perspectives on Stem Cell Research
March 14, 2007
Representatives of three of the world's major religions tangled over the beginnings of human life, the disposal of surplus embryos from in vitro fertilization clinics, and the conduct of embryonic stem cell research at an HSCI public event at Harvard Divinity School.
The panel featured Eric Cohen, director of the Bioethics and American Democracy Program at the Ethics and Public Policy Center in Washington, D.C., who presented the Jewish point of view; Omar Sultan Haque, a Muslim theologian at Harvard Medical School; John Davis, a Presbyterian minister and professor of systematic theology and Christian ethics at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary; and Llewellyn Smith of the Andover/Newton Theological School and a minister with the United Church of Christ.
The video of this event runs 1 hour and 50 minutes.
Moderated book discussion
December 11, 2006
The authors of three recent books on the current state of stem cell research participated in a lively moderated discussion at HSCI's first event for members of the public in December at Radcliffe Institute For Advanced Study.
The panel, moderated by Willy Lensch, PhD, of HSCI and Children's Hospital Boston, featured Michael Bellomo, author of The Stem Cell Divide; Eve Herold, author of Stem Cell Wars; and Christopher Thomas Scott, author of Stem Cell Now.
The video of this event runs 1 hour and 33 minutes.