UW Law School Professors Pilar Ossorio and Alta Charo were invited speakers at a symposium linking stem cell research and public policy on Friday, March 2, 2007. Both Charo and Ossorio are prominent authorities in the field of bioethics.
The symposium, "The Potential of Stem Cells: Public Policy Issues Beyond the Microscope," was co-sponsored by the Robert M. La Follette School of Public Affairs and the WiCell Research Institute.
WiCell Director Carl Gulbrandsen, a 1981 graduate of the UW Law School, opened the symposium with a brief history of stem cell research at UW-Madison, and provided an overview of current patenting, licensing and regulatory issues.
"The pioneering efforts of researchers at the University of Wisconsin have resulted in fascinating discoveries and advancements in human embryonic stem cell research over the last decade," Gulbrandsen has stated. "Understanding the legal, regulatory and legislative environment within which we work is key to our future progress."
Ossorio and Charo spoke about bioethics, regulation and state policies related to stem cell research.
"This collaboration with WiCell will advance the public policy debate on stem-cell research," says Barbara (Bobbi) Wolfe, director of the La Follette School. "Stem cell research continues to be a prominent issue on the federal, state and local policy agendas. The questions that will be addressed are also important for many other scientific advances and will guide the role of universities for decades to come."
As a supporting organization of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the WiCell Research Institute is dedicated to expanding the frontiers of science and medicine by unlocking the potential of stem cells. WiCell conducts research, supports research at UW-Madison, hosts the National Stem Cell Bank, provides training for scientists, and offers educational outreach programs for K-12 students and the community.
To see the full program of speakers, see http://www.lafollette.wisc.edu/publicservice/stemcell.html .
Submitted by on March 6, 2007
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