September 2005

Posted September 15, 2005

Sep. 13 -- Linda Hall Library Lecture to Focus on Stem Cell Research

Kansas City, MO, Sept. 13, 2005 - Dr. Nancy Anne Wall, professor of biology at Lawrence University in Apple!on, Wis., will present a lecture titled �Stem Cells: Their Origin, Trajectory, and Obstacles� at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 22.

The lecture, part of a series sponsored by Friends of the Linda Hall Library of Science, Engineering and Technology will be in the Charles Fillmore Chapel at the Unity Temple on the Plaza, 707 W. 47th St., Kansas City, Mo. The lectures typically are at the Linda Hall Library, but are being staged at the Unity Temple during an ongoing expansion%%%%%%/renovation project at the library.

The controversial issue of stem cell research has been distorted and politicized by partisans on both sides of the issue. Hall will explore sources of stem cells and their potential uses, and attempt to present the current state of stem cell research without distortion or bias.

�There has been, even from the early days, a lot of hyperbole on both sides of the debate,� Dr. Wall said. �As an educator, I�m not interested in presenting an opinion. I want to present data and outline the potential benefits and obstacles.�

The issue�s descent into the political arena has made it difficult for the public to get accurate information on the issue, Wall said.

�The public needs to be educated; they need to understand the pros and cons,� she said. �Research cannot progress if there is not funding for it, and since a lot of funding for medical research comes from tax dollars, the public needs to have a fundamental understanding of the issue.�

One of the common misunderstandings is that stem cells are only available from aborted fetuses. There are other sources as well, though they are more limited in potential.

Wall perceives the potential of stem cell therapies as nothing short of revolutionary.

�We are talking about generating a source of cells that can be maintained indefinitely and which can potentially provide cell or tissue types to be used for transplantation, and to ameliorate or even cure diabetes, heart disease and possibly even various kinds of nervous system damage,� she said. �I see it having the potential long term to profoundly transform human medicine.�

After receiving an M.A. in biology education at the University of South Carolina, Wall earned her Ph.D. from the Department of Cell Biology at Vanderbilt University.

Linda Hall Library lectures are free and open to the public. No registration is required to attend. For more information on this or other lectures please contact Kathy Alshouse at (816) 926-8727 or visit the website, www.lindahall.org.%0