Free Newcastle event to help public understand stem cells

May 21, 2008

Scientists from the Centre for Life are planning to explain the complex and emotive field of stem cell research during a day of free* activities in Newcastle’s Times Square this Saturday, 24 May.

Over the last year, the Centre for Life, in partnership with NESCI (North-east England Stem Cell Institute), has been running regular public events to help explain the science behind stem cells to the general public. The events, held in city and town centres and, most recently, at The House of Commons (12 May) prior to the second reading of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill, have given the public the chance to meet stem cell scientists and representatives from charities dealing with diseases such as Parkinson’s Disease and Multiple Sclerosis with the aim of offering a balanced, informed view of this complex subject.

Linda Conlon, Chief Executive of the Centre for Life says: “There is a significant level of public concern about this area of research and there have been some highly emotive and misleading messages, which quite understandably, have frightened people.

“Our public events help to separate fact from fiction and provide information in an accessible and palatable way, using simple interactives to explain the science in a straightforward manner.”

Saturday’s event is aimed at people of all ages and will offer a variety of hands-on activities including an opportunity to talk to NESCI scientists from Durham and Newcastle Universities and Newcastle NHS Hospitals about their research. Among the activities involved will be a stem cell development display, microscopes to allow people to see different tissue types relevant to stem cell research and a hands-on exhibit exploring the different types of stem cell and the potential they offer in terms of developing treatments for some diseases. Members of the public can also have their say on ethical issues and the use of stem cells in research.

Events such as the Stem Cells Day are an important part of the science communication work undertaken by the Centre for Life. The Centre’s work in this area was last week praised in a parliamentary debate on science centres by the Liberal Democrat science spokesman, Dr. Evan Harris MP.

He said: “……The value of the work done by science centres was brought home to me when the Newcastle Centre for Life kindly sent a team of science explainers to the House of Commons ….to enable members of the public and Members of Parliament to learn more about the exact nature of stem cells and hybrid embryo research.

He added that the Centre for Life, “..takes the information out in a mobile way….such displays help people to make sense of science, which is sometimes misrepresented in the media.”

The Stem Cell Day will take place in the Geodesic Dome outside the Centre for Life in Times Square, Newcastle between 10am and 4pm on Saturday 24 May.

*Entrance to the Centre for Life is not included in this event and the usual admission charges will apply.
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Media Contact: Ian Simmons, Science Communications Director, Centre for Life. Tel: 0191 2438250 Mobile: 07919281335

Notes to editors:
North-East England Stem Cell Institute (NESCI) draws together Durham and Newcastle Universities, the Newcastle-upon-Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and other partners in a unique interdisciplinary collaboration to convert stem cell research and technologies into cost-effective, ethically-robust 21st century health solutions to ameliorate degenerative diseases, the effects of ageing and serious injury. The Institute has received substantial funding and other support from the Regional Development Agency, One NorthEast and is partly based at the International Centre for Life in Newcastle.
Embryonic stem cells are found in embryos and can self-renew. They can be made to turn into most cell types found in the body. If scientists could control and culture them in laboratory conditions, they could in theory be used to repair tissues damaged by diseases and disorders such as diabetes, heart problems, liver disease and strokes.