TRACK: Biological Frontiers TITLE: Embryonic and Adult Stem Cells: Basic Science and Public Policy DATE: Friday, February 17, 2006 TIME: 8:30 AM - 10:00 AM ORGANIZERS: Leonard Zon, Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Children's Hospital, Boston; Sean Morrison, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor   PARTICIPANTS:   * = invited, not yet confirmed. Leonard Zon (Moderator), Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Children's Hospital, Boston Leonard Zon (Speaker), Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Children's Hospital, Boston Stem Cell Technology, Public Policy, and International Issues Lawrence Goldstein (Speaker), Howard Hughes Medical Institute and University of California, San Diego Nuclear Transfer To Study Alzheimer's Disease Sean Morrison (Speaker), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor Embryonic Versus Adault Stem Cells Laurie Zoloth (Speaker), Northwestern University Ethics of Nuclear Transfer and Embryonic Stem Cells AVAILABLE ABSTRACTS: No available abstracts. SYNOPSIS: The symposium will attempt to tackle two major themes: nuclear transfer in embryonic stem cell technology for treating neurologic diseases and adult versus embryonic stem cells. It will open with a broad view of stem cell technology, particularly elucidating controversies regarding public policy and international issues. Speakers will analyze how nuclear transfer can be used for understanding basic stem cell biology and therapy, and for studying Alzheimer’s disease as well as motor neuron diseases. And, they will develop suggested public policy for nuclear transfer in treating, diagnosing, and understanding the biology of these diseases. Speakers will also discuss embryonic versus adult stem cells, particularly as their potential use for understanding the basic sciences as well as clinical applications. Discussion will address both neural stem cells and hematopoietic stem cells, and the merits of research involving both somatic and embryonic stem cell sources for these cells and tissues. The ethics of nuclear transfer and embryonic stem cells will be discussed. Topics will include how nuclear transfer guidelines from the National Academy of Sciences will be implemented and how the standards for the field can be set to alleviate the public's fears. This symposium will take basic science into the clinical realm and provide a better understanding of the bioethics associated with embryonic stem cell technology.