Release Of The Stem Cell Charter

Main Category: Stem Cell Research
Also Included In: IT / Internet / E-mail;  Public Health
Article Date: 22 Sep 2009 - 3:00 PDT

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The Canadian Stem Cell Foundation is proud to announce the release of the Stem Cell Charter and the world premiere of "Rock Star Scientists."

The work being done each day in stem cell research labs is critically important to the future of humanity. Science is moving closer to groundbreaking treatments and cures for debilitating and often fatal diseases such as MS, muscular dystrophy, blindness, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, arthritis, diabetes, spinal cord injuries and liver disease.

"We all have a vested interest in finding cures and moving them to the clinic," says Canadian Stem Cell Foundation President and CEO, James Price. "This is why we created the Stem Cell Charter. It's something that everyone, whether they are doctors, scientists, policy makers or the general public, can get behind. It unifies us in support of this vital area of research."

The Stem Cell Charter (stemcellcharter.org) is a collective call to action in support of stem cell research. It is a web-based, interactive document that affirms the importance of stem cell science to all humanity, and articulates five principles as to how it should be advanced: responsible science, protection of citizens, intellectual freedom, transparency and integrity. The Charter is the basis for building a grassroots community of stem cell supporters.

"This is the first international charter to advance stem cell science, and the World Stem Cell Summit is the perfect venue to release it," says Price. "The Summit brings together scientists, business people, policy makers, patient advocates and members of the public who believe in the importance of stem cell science. Like the Summit, the Charter aims to unite this diverse community and empower them to speak out on behalf of stem cell research."

Renowned bioethicist Bartha Maria Knoppers is the lead author of the Charter, which was written in collaboration with a working group of scientists, patients, ethicists and laypeople. "There's so much potential contained within this area of science," she says. "Research is progressing rapidly. As a community, we needed a framework - accessible to anyone - to move the field forward responsibly."

Several international organizations are founding organizational signatories to the Charter, including the Stem Cell Network, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and Genetics Policy Institute. "The support from the scientific community has been overwhelming," says Michael Rudnicki, Scientific Director of the Stem Cell Network. "Scientists are excited to be part of this initiative and to have a forum to share their work with the public." A number of scientists involved with the Network are founding scientific signatories to the Charter, and also appear in "Rock Star Scientists."

"Rock Star Scientists" is a video showcasing internationally renowned scientists asking the world one question: Why aren't we doing more to support stem cell research? From Janet Rossant, who created a mouse from a single cell, to Sam Weiss, who discovered neural stem cells, and Andras Nagy, who recently discovered a new way to reprogram stem cells; these 11 scientists are leaders in the field.

Source:
Aneka Rao
Canadian Stem Cell Foundation

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