Stem Cell Research Symposium Aims to Inform
Stem cells are getting attention from researchers and policy makers. Photo courtesy Texans for Stem Cell ResearchAudio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
By Reshma Kirpalani for KUT News and Reporting Texas.com
Months after Gov. Rick Perry underwent a back operation involving adult stem cells, Texans for Stem Cell Research hosted a daylong symposium in Austin today.
One of the goals of the non profit’s second annual gathering on the UT campus is to educate the general public about stem cell research and therapy. Mario Salinas, director of Texans for Stem Cell Research, told KUT News there’s still a lot of misunderstanding and even stigma surrounding stem cells.
“We do this for free to try to get as many people in here as we can so that they get a better understanding of stem-cell research and it won’t be such a negative stigma attached to it because of all of the politicizing,” Salinas said. “The more people understand, the better they know, they’ll realize that it’s about saving lives. It’s not about any questions about when life begins.”
The group says that opening up research in Texas could have economic benefits for the state, bringing in new biotechnology companies.
In June, the state passed a health care bill that allowed the creation of a state adult stem cell bank. And weeks after the governor’s surgery, the Texas Medical Board formed an advisory committee to work on rules about stem cell research and usage.
The medical board published its proposed rules today on the Texas Register website. The public has 30 days to comment on them before the board’s November meeting.
