CALL FOR STEM CELL LEGISLATION

Highlights from the Irish Stem Cell Foundation's first public engagement at the Davenport Hotel, Dublin on Saturday 30th January 2010.

ISCF Directors Dr Stephen Sullivan, Dr Orla Hardiman and Patient Advocate Martin Codyre call on the Irish Government to legislate for stem cell treatment, research and education in Ireland. The current void of legislation puts Irish patients at unnecessary risk and expense, deters investment and expertise coming to Ireland, allows the general public to be easily confused about stem cells, and impairs Ireland’s capacity to do internationally competitive R&D in a growing number of areas.

Dr. Gavin Davey, neuroscientist at Trinity College Dublin, talks about his pioneering research which uses reprogrammed stem cells (so called iPS cells) to make neurons and study Parkinson's disease: