Student Science Court:
The Future of Stem Cell Research

1. Program Overview
2. Participants List
3. Symposium Schedule
4. Readings
5. Ballot & Voting Results
6. Real Video of the Conference
7. Other Stem Cell Websites

Program Overview

Should scientists be allowed to develop immortalized human stem cell lines from frozen embryos and aborted fetuses for use in creating powerful new medical therapies? Should the NIH and other federal research agencies fund aspects of this research? On Saturday January 29th, 2000, following a daylong symposium on the science, law and ethics of stem cell research, these questions will be put to a vote before a representative body of Dartmouth undergraduates, medical, and graduate students. Sponsors of this special Student Science Court include Dartmouth's Ethics Institute and the College's new program in human biology, Humanitates Vitae. The symposium will be held in Dartmouth's Cook auditorium and will be open to students and the public. The morning session will focus on the science of stem cell research. Many researchers believe that cell replacement therapies based on this research hold out promise for the treatment or cure of many diseases like cancer, diabetes, Parkinson's disease and other serious neurological disorders. Some scientists question, however, whether it will ever be necessary to use stem cells derived from embryos or fetuses. An afternoon session will focus on the ethics and law of stem cell research. A panel of speakers on all sides of the issues will present their views. A final plenary session will allow the audience and students to put questions to the day's roster of speakers. At the end of the session the Dartmouth students present will vote on a series of pro and con questions regarding stem cell research.

NIH is soliciting comments about the draft guidelines for Stem Cell Research funding.

To submit comments to NIH e-mail them at stemcell@mail.nih.gov

The event is sponsored by Dartmouth's Ethics Institute, the new human biology program Humanitates Vitae, the Nelson A. Rockefeller Center for the Social Sciences, the Provost Office, Tuck School of Business, Dartmouth Medical School, Thayer School of Engineering, the Office of Graduate Studies, WDCR Radio, the Department of Biological Sciences, and the Sociology Department.