Stem cell issues discussed at symposium
By Erin Meyers, posted 3/27/06

Scientists involved in the stem cell debate met March 8 and 9 for “A Symposium on the Social, Ethical, Cultural, Legal and Economic Implications,” associated with stem cell research, in an attempt to clear up possible misconceptions and provide more detailed information. 

The keynote speaker was Linda F. Hogle, director of the Robert and Jean Holtz Center for Science and Technology Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. An anthropologist of science, technology and medicine, Hogle is a key source of the ethical, cultural and legal issues found with stem cell research. 

In an introduction by Peter Hall, professor emeritus in the department of sociology at MU, he acknowledged the amount of power and experience Hogle has acquired in her field of research.

“She has received substantial funding, considered astronomical in my opinion,” Hall said.

The majority of Hogle’s presentation focused on the difficulties found in advancing research with the complications of ethics, policies and finances. According to Hogle, the status of stem cell research has been prevented from advancement because of a lack of correct information.

“We seem to be making our decisions on old assumptions and old models that don’t work anymore,” Hogle said.

Hogle said many people have false ideas about stem cells' curative abilities against diseases such as Alzheimer's, for example.

Yet Hogle said that without federal funding for research, sharing information with the public is difficult. Research is mostly limited to private funding, which in itself can be detrimental to field advancement.

“People are really clamping down and not sharing data,” Hogle said.

Hogle also credits some of the stagnant research to the dated policies and technologies many government agencies use. According to Hogle, the FDA is currently in “utter chaos and disarray.” 

Despite obsolete policies, Hogle said she is aware that for many people, the debate is reduced to an ethical dispute.  Hogle said many people lump all stem cells together, without the proper information regarding the different types of stem cells. Hogle said the government is hesitant to grant federal money towards research that is controversial, yet the lack of research is what creates the ignorance of stem cells by the majority of the population. 

“We need better collective thinking,” Hogle said.

One attendee, Shelly Fravala, senior advertising student at MU, said she was interested in hearing a clarified version of the subject of stem cells.

“I wanted to get it straight from the medical profession. I wanted to see straight from the source,” Fravala said.   

In response to the complicated issue and lack of information, Hogle proposes that government officials, particularly those part of science committees, take part in a class every five years to educate them on the new scientific advancements. 

In addition, Hogle would like to see cross training among ethicists, policy makers and scientists, in an attempt to share each opinion in the process of making such difficult decisions, as is found in stem cell research.

“We need to start asking what kind of future do we see with the use of stem cells,” Hogle said.   

> Back to Corner Post Home