Centre for Life invited to Westminster to make sense of stem cells.
Science communicators from the Centre for Life in Newcastle have been invited to the House of Commons next week to explain stem cells to politicians. On Monday May 12th, the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill will have its second reading in the House. The Centre for Life has been asked to deliver an event for MPs to coincide with the reading, to help explain this complex area of research.
Linda Conlon, chief executive of the Centre for Life says: “Our science communication team has already delivered stem cell events in city and town centres to help the public understand the basic science behind stem cell research and its potential applications. We are now taking these to Westminster to give MPs the opportunity to bring themselves up to speed on the basic science behind the research.
“There is a significant level of concern about this area of research and there have been some highly emotive and misleading messages, which, quite understandably, have frightened people.
“We are able to separate fact from fiction and can provide information in an accessible and palatable way, using simple interactive methods to illustrate the basic science.”
Among the activities the Centre for Life will be taking to the House of Commons are a stem cell development timeline, microscopes to allow people to see different tissue types relevant to stem cell research and a hands-on exhibit to let them explore the different types of stem cell and what they can do. There will also be an interactive exhibit on stem cell science from the Centre’s permanent exhibition and examples of educational materials used by Life when working with schools and young people.
Individuals and organisations that support the bill, including patient groups and scientists, will be outside The Commons at lunchtime on Monday. At the same time, a prayer vigil will be held by opponents of the Bill.
Later in the week, Linda Conlon will make a second visit to Westminster to attend a parliamentary debate on the subject of science centres. The event on May 15th is a follow up to the enquiry and report into science centres which was published in January.
Linda Conlon says: “It’s timely that a discussion on the role of science centres should be taking place in the same week as the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill reading. The ability to provide up-to-date, reliable information on difficult or controversial science topics is an increasing requirement from the public, media and politicians.
“Impartial, accessible information leads to an informed debate. If we don’t provide this information, who will?”
