Adult stem cell research, faith and reason

What are the implications of adult stem cell research on the future of mankind? What are its benefits and what challenges does it pose? Why still today, despite the advances that have been made in this field of medical research, is there still a certain reluctance to pursue adult stem cell research over embryonic research? And above all, why is the Vatican funding stem cell research?

These are just some of the questions that Tracey McClure put to NeoStem CEO Dr. Robin Smith and Fr. Tomaz Trafny of the Vatican’s Council for Culture, the unlikely couple behind a ground breaking initiative that sees the Vatican’s first-ever contractual collaboration with an outside commercial venture to advance stem cell research – adult stem cell research

The mission of the partnership between NeoStem and the Pontifical Council for Culture is “to foster the highest levels of scientific research on Adult Stem Cells and to explore the cultural, ethical and human implications of their use” and in order to do so, an International Conference will take place at the Vatican November 2011 on Adult Stem Cells: Science and the Future of Man and Culture.

Launching the project Thursday at the Vatican Press Office, Dr. Smith told journalists “We believe Adult Stem Cells will be the answer to so many debilitating problems impacting people of all ages, all over the world, in all walks of life”. She also emphasised that “we do not have to destroy human life to improve and extend human life for those who are struggling with debilitating diseases”.

Speaking to Tracey McClure Dr Smith explained the reasons behind NeoStem’s partnership with the Vatican: “So many people follow the Catholic Church and it’s important to educate, so if we could use their voice and together have people understand what an adult stem cell is - people don’t understand what the difference is between an adult or embryonic stem cell or even if its okay - so it’s a question of understanding and we couldn’t have a better partner than the Church to foster this understanding and get the message of the possibilities of this research across to many, many people and have an impact that we alone as a small company couldn’t have on our own”.

“Considering the potential implication of scientific investigation, medical applicability and the cultural impact of research on adult stem cells, we view the collaboration with NeoStem as a critical effort,” added Fr. Trafny. “Through educational initiatives and sponsorship of scientific research programs involving cutting edge adult stem cell science which does not hurt human life, we come one step closer to a breakthrough that can relieve needless human suffering”.

Listen to Tracey McClure’s full interview with Dr. Robin Smith and Fr. Tomaz Trafny: