Dr. Jack Kessler, director of the Neuroscience Institute of Northwestern’s Feinberg School of Medicine, is one of the leading stem cell researchers in the country.
“This becomes an obsession,” Kessler said with blazing enthusiasm. “This becomes the driving force of life. It’s a very personal issue now.”
Mention stem cell research and most people will have a strong reaction. Some oppose it. Many do not understand it. Others see it as an amazing source of revolutionary medical advancement. Many research scientists and teachers at Northwestern fall into the third group. They have seen the potential of stem cells in treating diseases and conditions such as Parkinson’s, juvenile diabetes, spinal cord injuries, and cancer.
Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that can both renew or replicate themselves and differentiate into other specialized cells. In other words, stem cells can divide indefinitely to provide as much tissue as needed for therapy, and they can be coaxed to develop into virtually any type of body cell.
The Chicago Symposium was a one-day regional forum designed to: 1) Examine the major issues related to teaching controversial science, and stem cell biology in particular, and begin a discussion among all participants to identify resources and methods for developing and implementing curriculum in schools and public education forums, e.g., museums; 2) Learn about the current state of stem cell research and its potential applications; and 3) Gain an understanding about the ethical and societal considerations related to stem cell research and an understanding of where controversy emanates.
