Vatican in joint stem cell research project

The Pontifical Council for Culture and the international biopharmaceutical company NeoStem Inc. have announced a joint initiative between their charitable organisations to expand research and raise awareness of adult stem cell therapies.

NeoStem's Stem for Life Foundation, formed to create awareness about the promise of adult stem cells to treat disease, and the Pontifical Council's STOQ Foundation (Science Theology and the Ontological Quest), will work to advance research on adult stem cells, to explore their clinical applicability in the field of regenerative medicine, and the cultural relevance of such research especially with its impact on theological and ethical issues.

A joint statement released by the Vatican says: "As part of the collaboration, NeoStem and the pontifical council will make efforts to develop educational programs, publications and academic courses with an interdisciplinary approach for theological and philosophical faculties, including those of bioethics, around the world. One of the initiatives will be a three-day international conference at the Vatican on adult stem cell research, including VSEL technology (which uses very small embryonic-like stem cells) that will focus on medical research presentations and theological and philosophical considerations and implications of scientific achievements".

Source: VIS