Stem Cell Events of the Genetics Policy Institute

The Genetics Policy Institute has partnered with leading academic institutions to create the most influential and important gatherings in the field by bringing together leaders in research, business, advocacy, finance, law and ethics to chart the future of regenerative medicine.

On September 22nd and 23rd of 2008 the World Stem Cell Summit, produced by the Genetics Policy Institute and hosted by WiCell Research Institute and the University of Wisconsin-Madison Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Center gathered 900 stem cell stakeholders, including researchers, industry leaders, policy makers, regulators, patient advocates, legal experts, investors and philanthropists to illuminate the critical issues and together chart the future of regenerative medicine.

"The Stem Cell Summit" co-sponsored with the Harvard Stem Cell Institute and Burrill Life Sciences Media Group at the Hynes Convention Center, Boston, Massachusetts. Featured speakers included Rudolf Jaenisch, John Gearhart, Doug Melton, David Scadden, Brooke Ellison, Michael J. Fox and other leaders from the stem cell community.

"Stem Cell Town Hall Meeting with Governor Jennifer Granholm" at the University of Michigan-Dearborn.

"Stem Cell Policy & Advocacy Summit II: Empowering the Pro-Cures Coalition" co-sponsored with the Center for Biomedical Ethics, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California. Featured speakers included Nobel Laureate Paul Berg, Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle, Bob Klein, Congressman Sherrod Brown, Lawrence S. B. Goldstein and Evan Snyder.

"Stem Cell Policy & Advocacy Summit: Sustaining the Mandate for Cures" in partnership with Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas. GPI's first stem cell summit brought together stakeholders from around the world. This conference formally launched the "Pro-Cures Movement." Featured speakers included Dr. Michael DeBakey, Laurie Zoloff, R. Alta Charo and Wise Young. This summit also inaugurated the Genetics Policy Institute's annual advocacy awards dinner.

"Patients Press Conference for the United Nations" at UN headquarters, New York, co-sponsored by the Coalition for Advancement of Medical Research. This media event presented global patient's perspectives in defense of somatic cell nuclear transfer. Featured was a special video message to the United Nations by patient advocate Christopher Reeve. The video was produced by the Genetics Policy Institute.

"Stem Cell Awareness Day with Janet Reno" at the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami.

"First International Stem Cell Action Conference" at the University of California, Berkeley, co-organized with the Stem Cell Action Network. This event was the first national grassroots conference for stem cell advocacy. Featured speakers included Irv Weissman, Thomas Okarma and Bob Klein.

"Human Cloning Issues in all its aspects for the United Nations" at UN headquarters, New York. This premier conference played a pivotal role in educating the UN on the difference between unethical reproductive cloning and stem cell research. Featured speakers included Rudolf Jaenish, Ian Wilmut, Doug Melton, Alan Trounson, Gerald Schatten, John Gearhart and Lawrence S.B. Goldstein.