Other Online Resources
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- Annotated Bibliography
- Directories and Databases
- Disease-Specific Organizations and Advocacy Groups
- Educational Resources
- International Research
- News Sources
- Professional Associations
- Related Federal Government Sites
- Research Programs at Universities and Institutions
Annotated Bibliography
- Beyond Therapy: Biotechnology and the Pursuit of Happiness,
Report from the President's Council on Bioethics, 2003.
Can biotechnology satisfy our human desires—for better children, superior performance, ageless bodies, and happy souls? This report from the President's Council on Bioethics says these possibilities present us with profound ethical challenges and choices. Not declaring "findings," but holding an inquiry—inviting us all to think and debate—the President's Council sought the ideas of dozens of celebrated scientists, thinkers and writers, including such Council members as Francis Fukuyama, Charles Krauthammer, Michael Sandel, and James Q. Wilson, as well as witnesses Steven Pinker, Daniel Schacter, Lawrence Diller, Steven Austad, and S. Jay Olshansky. - Cellular Therapy: Potential Treatment for Heart Disease, Food and
Drug Administration (FDA), 2004.
Despite advances in treatment, ischemic heart disease and congestive heart failure are major causes of death in the United States. Cell therapies for treating these diseases are of interest to medical researchers. This resource outlines the issues surrounding clinical studies of human stem cells and the FDA's role in ensuring safe studies. - Stem Cell Therapy for Heart Patients, National Public Radio Talk of the Nation Audio, April 2004.
This one-hour audio program discusses injecting stem cells into heart patients to improve blood flow. This new treatment for heart disease uses the patient's own bone marrow to restore heart function. - Stem Cells and the Future of Regenerative Medicine, by Commission on Life Sciences, 2002.
Stem Cells and the Future of Regenerative Medicine summarizes what we know about adult and embryonic stem cells. It also provides an overview of the moral and ethical problems that arise from the use of embryonic stem cells, compares the likely impact of public and private research funding on progress in the field, and discusses approaches to appropriate research oversight. Based on the insights of leading scientists, ethicists, and other authorities, the authors make recommendations regarding the use of existing stem cell lines versus new lines in research, the important role of the federal Related Federal Government Sites in this field of research, and other fundamental issues impacting potential stem cell-based therapies. - Unlocking the Promise of Stem Cells, Harvard Stem Cell Institute, March 2004.
View an interactive videoconference in which University researchers discuss the Harvard Stem Cell Institute, created to move cutting-edge research on embryonic stem cells from the lab to the clinic.
Up to TopDirectories and Databases
- MEDLINEplus—Stem Cells/Stem Cell Transplantation A consumer health database that includes news, health resources, clinical trials, and more.
- Nature Biotechnology Directory A directory of companies engaged in biotechnology research.
- PubMed Contains references to literature from more than 4,300 life sciences journals.
- Stem Cell Database A joint project of Princeton University and the University of Pennsylvania that contains data on the molecular phenotype of hematopoietic stem cells.
Disease-Specific Organizations and Advocacy Groups
- Alliance for Aging Research This citizen advocacy organization works to improve the health and independence of Americans as they age.
- ALS Association (ALSA) Dedicated to the fight against Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease), ALSA offers this primer on stem cells.
- American Cancer Society Offers information on stem cell transplantation for children with leukemia.
- Arthritis Foundation Discusses whether a stem cell transplant cures arthritis.
- Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation Funds research on treatments for central nervous system disorders and works to improve the lives of people with disabilities through a grants program, paralysis resource center, and advocacy efforts.
- Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research Advocates the advancement of breakthrough research and technologies in regenerative medicine, including stem cell research and somatic cell nuclear transfer.
- Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Using stem cells to restore normal blood sugar, plus information on recent research and policy.
- Lymphoma Information Network A page on bone marrow and stem cell transplants.
- March of Dimes Aims to give babies a fighting chance against such threats to their health as prematurity, birth defects, and low birthweight.
- Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research Dedicated to ensuring the development of a cure for Parkinson's disease within this decade through an aggressively funded research agenda.
- National Health Council (NHC) Works to promote the health of all people by advancing the voluntary health movement.
- National Marrow Donor Program® (NMDP) Maintains an international registry of donors for all sources of blood stem cells used in transplantation: bone marrow, peripheral blood, and umbilical cord blood.
- Spinal Cord Injury Information Network Links to articles about stem cells, particularly for spinal cord injuries.
- StemCellHelp.org Works with individuals and institutions so that Congress may eventually expand stem cell research and funding. The site focuses on ALS and other degenerative neurological diseases.
- Stem Cell Research Foundation Supports innovative basic and clinical research in the emerging and critical area of stem cell therapy.
Educational Resources
- Human Embryonic Stem Cells An animated tutorial for the general public. (Requires Flash player)
- Stem Cells: Engage A high school teaching resource on stem cell research developed in Canada.
- Stem Cells in the Spotlight The Eccles Institute of Human Genetics at the University of Utah presents this outreach education program for high school and undergraduate students and teachers.
International Research
- Canadian Institutes of Health Research Links to stem cell research guidelines and the Stem Cell Oversight Committee. CIHR is seeking applications for its Regenerative Medicine and Nanomedicine: Innovative Approaches in Health Research—Team Grant Program and High-Risk Seed Grants; Letters of Intent are due October 1, 2004, with full applications by November 1, 2004.
- Centre for Stem Cell Biology (UK) Part of the University of Sheffield.
- EuroStemCell Eleven academic institutes and enterprises from eight European countries compare stem cell information and evaluate their therapeutic potential.
- Genome Institute of Singapore Information on its stem cell biology research.
- The Goldyne Savad Institute of Gene Therapy (Hadassah University Hospital, Israel) Information on the Institute's Research Group on human embryonic stem cells.
- Health Insite (Australia) List of stem cell resources.
- Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research in China A September 2002 Report from the U.S. Embassy, Beijing.
- Institute for Stem Cell Research (UK) Includes links to its research groups and collaborative initiatives.
- Institute of Human Genetics at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne Outlines their current research projects.
- The International Stem Cell Forum (ISCF) Encourages international collaboration and funding support for stem cell research.
- Kyoto University (Japan) Home page for the University's Stem Cell Research Center
- RIKEN Center for Developmental Biology (Japan) Home page for the Center's Laboratory for Stem Cell Biology
- Scottish Stem Cell Network A multidisciplinary forum of scientists and clinicians advancing stem cell biology into identifiable health benefits.
- Stem Cells: Therapies for the Future? (EU) News and information about this 2001 European Union conference.
- Tekes—National Technology Agency of Finland List of Tekes-sponsored biotechnology research projects.
- UK Medical Research Council Information on the MRC's stem cell initiative; also includes a page on international stem cell collaborations.
News Sources
- Biotechnology Industry Organization Up-to-date news on stem cells, cloning, and regenerative medicine.
- EurekAlert! A science news site provided by the American Association for the Advancement of Sciences.
- Nature: Focus on Stem Cells A selection of articles and features on stem cells, including the specially commissioned Stem Cells Insight.
- NewScientist: Cloning and Stem Cells A monthly update on cloning and stem cell technology.
- PBS: Miracle Cell This episode of the series Innovation explores the use of stem cells for regenerative therapies. (Originally aired April 13, 2004)
- Scientific American Provides news coverage on stem cell research. See The Stem Cell Challenge, a feature article from the June 2004 issue.
- SciTech Daily Review Offers a range of news articles, features, and commentaries about science and technology topics.
- Stem Cell Research News An online newsletter that features stories about stem cells of all types.
- Stem Cells The International Journal of Cell Differentiation and Proliferation.
- Time: The Stem Cell Debate Stories and resource links on stem cell news.
- The Washington Post: Stem Cell Research A collection of articles related to current stem cell research.
Professional Associations
- American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) The AAAS policy brief on stem cell research.
- American Medical Association (AMA) Provides information on the basics of stem cell research and highlights relevant policy developments.
- American Society for Cell Biology (ASCB) Facilitates the exchange of scientific knowledge about cell biology by disseminating research and training students and young investigators.
- American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) FAQs about cloning, stem cell research, and ASRM's position on the issues.
- Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) Discussion of stem cell research.
- Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB) Seeks to help biomedical and life scientists improve people's health, well-being, and productivity.
- The International Cord Blood Society (ICBS) Dedicated to the advancement of stem cell research with an emphasis on umbilical cord blood stem cells.
- International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) Works to exchange information on stem cells, encourage research involving stem cells, and educate the public in all areas of stem cell research and application.
- National Academy of Sciences (NAS) Provides a report entitled Stem Cells and the Future of Regenerative Medicine and information on stem cell issues.
Related Federal Government Sites
- FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research Determines whether stem cells are safe to use in clinical trials.
- NIH Bioethics Resources on the Web Contains a broad collage of annotated web links that provide background information and various positions on issues in bioethics.
- The President's Council on Bioethics Advises the President on ethical issues related to advances in biomedical science and technology, including stem cells.
Research Programs at Universities and Institutions
- Sloan-Kettering Institute Part of the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, the world's oldest and largest private institution devoted to patient care, education, and research into cancer.
- Stanford University School of Medicine/Institute for Cancer/Stem Cell Biology and Medicine Explains Stanford's involvement and perspective on stem cell issues, with links to related sites.
- University of California, San Francisco/Developmental and Stem Cell Biology Program Highlights of UCSF human embryonic stem cell research.
- University of Minnesota: Stem Cell Institute Works to enhance understanding of stem cells' potential to improve human and animal health.
- University of Wisconsin/Embryonic Stem Cell Research Scientists at UW-Madison were the first to successfully isolate and culture human embryonic stem cells.
