Talk of the Town

The Science, Ethics and Politics of Stem Cell Research

Thu. Jan. 23, 7-9:30 pm

With: Dr. Patricia Baird

Recent advances in stem cell research are raising hopes for miraculous treatments but are also prompting fears of genetic engineering for profit rather than social benefit. This discussion presents the current state of scientific research, the possibilities for future medical breakthroughs and explores the crucial question of what our ethical guidelines should be and how we can most effectively put them in place.

The discussion will take place at UBC's Robson Square campus. Attendance is free of charge, but please register by phoning 604.822.1700.

Biography

Patricia Baird was trained as a pediatrician, and then specialized in medical genetics. She was Head of the Department of Medical Genetics at UBC for over a decade, being extensively involved in developing services in BC for families with genetic diseases. Her own research has been in two phases: the first focusing on the distribution and natural history of birth defects and genetic diseases using a population based registry, the second on the societal, ethical and policy implications of genetic and reproductive technologies.

She has been a member of numerous national and international bodies, among them the National Advisory Board on Science and Technology chaired by the Prime Minister; the Medical Research Council of Canada (and its Standing Committee on Ethics in Experimentation); and International Ethics Committees. Several years ago she was appointed by the Prime Minister to head the Royal Commission on New Reproductive Technologies, which was asked to make policy recommendations to the Canadian Government. She has served as an Advisor to the World Health Organization in recent years and since the mid 1980's has been associated with the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research, where she currently chairs the Advisory Committee for the Population Health and Human Development Programs.

She has received three honorary degrees, the Order of British Columbia, and is an Officer of the Order of Canada. She is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada. She holds the position of "University Distinguished Professor" at the University of British Columbia.

Selected Bibliography

Baird, P.A. Should human cloning be permitted? Annals RCPSC. 33(4):235-237, June 2000.

Baird, P.A. Will genetics be used wisely? Canadian Journal of Policy Research, ISUMA. 2(1):94-101, 2001.

Baird, P.A. Current challenges to appropriate clinical use of new genetic knowledge in different countries. Community Genetics. 4(1):12-17, 2001.

Baird, P.A. The human genome project, genetics, and health. Community Genetics. 4:77-88, 2001.

Links & Readings

www.stemcellnetwork.ca

The Stem Cell Network is a bold new venture for Canada that brings together more than 50 leading scientists, clinicians, engineers, and ethicists, with the mandate to investigate the immense therapeutic potential of stem cells for the treatment of diseases currently incurable by conventional approaches.

www.genetics-and-society.org

The Center for Genetics and Society is a nonprofit information and public affairs organization working to encourage responsible uses and effective societal governance of the new human genetic and reproductive technologies. We work with a growing network of scientists, health professionals, civil society leaders, and others.

www.chac.ca/position/stem_cell/index_stemcell.html

The Catholic Health Association of Canada is a national Christian community committed to health care in the tradition of the Catholic Church. Our mission is to witness to the healing ministry and abiding presence of Jesus. Our concern is for health in all its aspects: physical, emotional, spiritual, and social.

www.cihr-irsc.gc.ca/publications/ethics/index_e.shtml

The Canadian Institute for Health Research has issued guidelines that will apply to researchers who are conducting research on human pluripotent stem cells and who want to received funding from CIHR.

http://www.parl.gc.ca/37/2/parlbus/chambus/house/bills/government/C-13/C-13_1/C-13TOCE.html

Bill C-13: Assisted Human Reproduction Act is the Bill now before Parliament that contains proposed regulations governing stem cell research.

http://www.genomebc.ca/

Genome B.C. is committed to providing leadership and investment to build and sustain an internationally competitive genomic R & D capability that supports economic and social development in B.C.

The Human Embryonic Stem Cell Debate

Edited by Suzanne Holland, Karen Lebacqz and Laurie Zoloth, published by MIT Press, 2002.