UC Meeting Discusses Stem Cell Research

The UC Medical Center will soon enter the ongoing, sometimes passionate discussion about embryonic stem cell research. 

In 2000, researchers at the University of Minnesota made headlines when they used in vitro fertilization and pre-implantation genetic diagnosis to create a sibling who could serve as a stem cell donor to his sister suffering from Fanconi anemia. Invited speakers from the University of Minnesota will present information about this case and discuss the ethics of using embryonic stem cells, both in research and in clinical cases, during the John J. Hutton Lectureship in Ethics Wednesday, May 26 from 4-6 p.m., Kresge Auditorium. 

"Our country is increasingly diverse with a wide spectrum of opinions about what is right and what is wrong," said John J. Hutton, MD, professor of pediatrics and former dean of the UC College of Medicine.  "It is the responsibility of an academic institution to provide the members of its immediate and surrounding community with the chance to learn about and debate ethical issues posed by medical choices and practices." 

The lecture is free and open to the public.  Seating is limited and will be first come, first served. The lecture will be split into two presentations:

"Embryo Selection to 'Create a Stem Cell Donor': State of the Art," presented by John E. Wagner, MD.  Dr. Wagner is professor of pediatrics and scientific director of clinical research at the Blood Marrow Transplantation Program and Stem Cell Institute at the University of Minnesota. 

"Pre-Implantation Genetics and Ethics of Creating a Stem Cell Donor," presented by Jeffrey Kahn, PhD, MPH.  Dr. Kahn is the Maas Family Chair in Bioethics and director of the Center for Bioethics at the University of Minnesota.

The John J. Hutton Lectureship in Ethics is an endowed lectureship named in honor of the College of Medicine's former Dean John J. Hutton, MD. The lecture will be held annually, with new topics each year.