Hi all,

This is a must see, people. It is a fine educational tool and debate. Please
spread the word to your region.

Please check your local PBS listings for the repeat of this very fine debate
on stem cells among the medical/research community, politicians--Spector and
Brownbach--, and Christopher Reeve.  I list later, the schedule for KQED--May
7, MON, at noon.

This last Fri night I witnessed on the Charlie Rose show the very best
reporting and debate on stem cells I've seen or heard of yet: The medical
guest list consisted of, Gerald Fischback, former director of NINDS who has
helped PD so enormously, rallied for embryonic stem cells, two other doctors,
a plastic surgeon  is studying stem cells derived from fat, another
researcher who is studying adult stem cells for replacing blocked coronary
vascular system in heart attack patients; All agreed that ALL avenues should
be allowed to go forward! Political guests were:  Arlen Spector, Chair of the
subcommittee on appropriations for Labor, Health and Human Services, and
Educ, and Senator Brownbach (R-Kansas), who derailed this issue last year,
along with Sen. Trent Lott, and with Spector's compliance.  After the debate,
Christopher Reeve gave a very knowledgeable, responsible, and educational
assessment of the facts and the situation.  A lot of misconceptions were
clarified:

The NY Times article calling Dr. Curt Freed's study with fetal tissue
transplants disastrous, was defended by Fischbach, et al.;

The ongoing confusion, deliberate and otherwise, between fetal tissue and
stem cells was discussed;

The difference between adult stem cells and embryonic.  What is already
known, and what is still a research issue on this topic, and

Spector and Brownbach are predicting/promising a real fight, although that
didn't quite come across to me. (A part of me hopes that Brownbach intends to
cave, and is saying all this to save face.  Last year, Spector caved, this
year Brownbach?  Is the deal done?)

Please find it and watch, and let me know what you're take is.

Thanks--Charlotte
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KQED--San Francisco
MON, MAY 07   NOON
Charlie Rose [#15] Friday Night Air / Monday Noon Repeat Air
Broadcast journalist Charlie Rose engages America's best thinkers, writers,
politicians, athletes, entertainers, business leaders and scientists in
one-on-one interviews and roundtable discussions. Charlie Rose reserves the
right to change his program right up to taping each night, so we're never
sure who the guests are. Our best guess is available on the "Who was that
guest?" page in the Viewer Services Area.
Length: 0:56:47 CC ST