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SANTA MONICA, Calif., Dec. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- In response to recent
controversy over the validity of a paper by a renowned South Korean stem cell
scientist in the June 2005 edition of Science magazine, the following
statement was made by Susan DeLaurentis, President and CEO of the Alliance for
Stem Cell Research:
"While the allegations surrounding Dr. Hwangs research are being widely
discussed, it is imperative that critics of stem cell research do not use this
controversy as an excuse to dismiss the validity of stem cell science in
general. This would be unreasonable and extremely damaging not only to the
scientists involved, but also to the patients who stand to benefit from this
research."
"Strict guidelines have been put in place by regulatory agencies on state,
national and international levels to ensure the safety, ethics and
transparency of this vital area of research. The fact that Dr. Hwang is
suspected of violating these guidelines should not reflect on the countless
other scientists who are committed to working within them, or on the promising
research that has resulted from their efforts."
"Millions of patients and families who recognize stem cell research as a
real hope for new treatments and cures understand, as we do, that this
incident in no way diminishes that hope. Every day, legitimate progress
continues to be made in the field of regenerative medicine -- progress that
can and will cure diseases and save lives."
About Susan DeLaurentis
Susan DeLaurentis is president and CEO of the Alliance for Stem Cell
Research. She has been a strong patient advocate since 1988, when she and her
friends Elizabeth Glaser and Susie Zeegen founded the Pediatric AIDS
Foundation after Elizabeth and her two children were diagnosed with HIV/AIDS.
The Foundation is now the national leader in identifying, preventing and
conducting pediatric HIV/AIDS research.
About the Alliance for Stem Cell Research
The mission of the Alliance for Stem Cell Research is to advance the field
of stem cell research and regenerative medicine and to educate the public
about its potential and progress. To learn more, visit http://www.afscr.org.
CONTACT
Jennifer Drake
(310) 826-8090/jdrake@afscr.org
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