TORONTO, January 24, 2002 – Stem cell research holds promise for treating a number of illnesses, including cancers, auto‑immune disorders, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, but it has also opened a pandora’s box of ethical issues, including the use of embryonic and fetal tissue and the potential for human cloning. 

Both the emerging medical benefits that can be realized from stem cell research and the accompanying moral and ethical concerns it raises will be examined during a symposium at York University, Friday, Feb. 1, 1:30 - 4:30 p.m.

The symposium will bring together some of the leading minds on the subject from the medical science, legal, patient advocacy and theology communities, to examine recent developments in stem cell research and touch upon such questions as:  

• What regulations and policies are needed to deal with human embryonic stem cell research, especially those related to emerging reproductive technologies?

• To what extent has the public debate over stem cell research become politicized?

• Do moral and ethical concerns outweigh medical benefits derived from stem cell research?

• Prof. Janet Rossant, joint head, Program in Development and Fetal Health, Mount Sinai Hospital; Department of Molecular and Medical Genetics, University of Toronto

• Prof. Liora Salter, science policy, communication law, Osgoode Hall Law School, York University

• Prof. John Dick, senior scientist, Cancer and Blood Research Program, Hospital for Sick Children; Department of Molecular and Medical Genetics, University of Toronto

• Mary Jardine, national executive director, Parkinson Society Canada

• Prof. Derek van der Kooy, Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto

• Dr. Bridget Campion, bioethics, moral theology, St. Augustine’s Seminary, University of Toronto

The symposium will be held in York University’s Bethune College Gallery (room 320), 4700 Keele St.

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For more information, contact:

Prof. Rob Kenedy Bethune College York University 416-736-2100, ext. 33940 rkenedy@yorku.ca

Ken Turriff Media Relations York University 416-736-2100, ext. 22086 kturriff@yorku.ca

YU/011/02