Tuesday, March 14, 2006

Warnings about Overhyping Stem Cell Science

The following is coming live from The Stem Cell Meeting today in San Francisco, sponsored by Burrill and Co.

California stem cell chairman Robert Klein is heading a panel called "Stem Cell Politics: Global Strategies for Supporting Research." Michael Werner of The Werner Group has just told the audience that no state in this country is "talking about the kind of money" that is likely to be available in California. The best prospects for significant stem cell research funding are in New Jersey, Maryland and Illinois. Angela McNab, chief executive of the Human Fertilization and Embryology Authority in the UK, warned that the audience that they cannot take public confidence in stem cell research for granted. She said excessive enthusiasm can lead to overhyping benefits and the speed with which they will be produced. She warned that when results are not forthcoming, opponents "will use the hype to discredit the science."

We will have more on the conference later today.

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