Stem Cell Battles: Proposition 71 And Beyond - How Ordinary People Can Fight Back Against The Crushing Burden Of Chronic Disease - With A Posthumous Foreword By Christopher Reeve - Softcover

Reed, Don C

Softcover

ISBN 10: 9814618276 ISBN 13: 9789814618274

Publisher: Wspc, 2015

Synopsis

This is a one-of-a-kind book: combining easy-to-understand science, in-the-trenches political warfare, and inspirational stories. It aims to give hope to individuals and families who suffer from chronic disease or disability; to point out how ordinary people can make an extraordinary difference in the battle to ease suffering and save lives through supporting medical research; to share in "people talk" some of the amazing progress already achieved in the new field of stem cell research; to show how even such a magnificent success as the California stem cell program is under constant attack from ideological groups; to offer medical research as a force for international cooperation; to suggest how cure research lessens the need for the mountainous costs of endless care.Unparalleled background: the author has been involved in virtually every important stem cell battle (state, national, and international) since embryonic stem cell research began. The author works closely with Robert N. Klein, sponsor of the California stem cell program, the largest source of such stem cell research funding in the world. In addition, the author is an award-winning teacher as well as writer, and seeks to entertain as well as educate. His book is not only substantive, but also fun.The book would be a treasured gift: for anyone suffering an "incurable" illness or who is a caregiver for a loved one; for a college student considering a rewarding career in biomedicine; for scientists who want to protect and enhance their research funding; and for anyone who wants to see government respond to the needs of its citizenry. Chronic disease and disability are a prison: cure is the triumphant escape -- wheelchairs should be for temporary occupancy only.

About this title

About the Author:

Don C. Reed has been called the "Grandfather of Stem Cell Research Advocacy", for his decades of commitment, beginning with his citizen sponsorship of California's Roman Reed Spinal Cord Injury Research Act of 1999, named after his paralyzed son. "Roman's Law" raised $17 million in state funding, while attracting an additional $85 million from the National Institutes of Health and other sources. Don was grassroots organizer for America's first pro- stem cell research legislation, Senate Bill 253 (Ortiz) and others.

Don Reed served on the Board of Directors for Proposition 71, the citizens' initiative which led to the $3 billion California stem cell agency, and has supported it vigorously ever since. As David Jensen of the CALIFORNIA STEM CELL REPORT remarked, "Don has probably attended more meetings of the CIRM than anyone else, including staff".

Reed has been involved with state, national, and international efforts to preserve scientific freedom: opposing the Bush Administration's attempt to ban advanced stem cell research via the United Nations; supporting the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Acts of 2003 and 2007, twice passed by Congress and the Senate, but vetoed by former President George W. Bush; supporting the successful Missouri's Stem Cell Research Amendment 2, and Michigan's Proposal 2. Don's testimony for the Kennedy Committee on stem cell research is recorded in the Congressional Record, and he took great joy in cheering for Barack Obama, as the President signed the reversal of the onerous Bush restrictions.

Author of the forthcoming book, *STEM CELL BATTLES: Proposition 71 and Beyond*, from World Scientific Publishing, Inc., Reed is a prolific writer, with roughly 200 articles published by the Huffington Post alone. He has written five books and numerous magazine articles for such publications as THE LANCET.

Reed has won numerous awards for his advocacy efforts, and has served on the Board of Americans for Cures Foundation and its predecessors since startup.

Review:

"A well-written book on a technical and challenging subject, Stem Cell Battles is a real page-turner. Don Reed writes from a layman's point of view; his credentials and advocacy experience position him to thoroughly cover his subject and present the subject of stem cell research in an interesting and entertaining way. The book is appropriate for students doing research, for any general reader, and for anyone who is or knows the one in two Americans with an incurable disease or disability. The book fills a gap in public library collections, and is useful in academic collections as well because it covers the subject very well. The author carefully and thoroughly footnotes and documents his material; the reader can see the reliability of the subject coverage, and know here to follow up as interested." -- Sandi Pantages, Fremont, California

"Impassioned advocacy for stem cell research ... recommended for anyone interested in the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine, its origins, and its accomplishments so far ..." -- Dr James Till, co-recipient with Ernest McCulloch of Lasker Award, Toronto, Canada

"It's a highly recommended pick for any involved in stem cell concerns; whether it be from a scientist's perspective, a politician's viewpoint, or from a patient seeking relief. Its focus on California achievements, in particular, lends to a discussion that juxtaposes the personal with the political in a rare, wide-ranging discussion that no health collection should be without. Add insights into how ordinary people can help and you have a key acquisition not to be missed by readers with any degree of interest or curiosity in stem cell research's promises, controversies, and very human concerns; or by acquisition librarians who will appreciate its fresh, new perspective on the subject." -- Midwest Book Review

About this edition

• Publisher: Wspc
• Publication date: 2015
• ISBN 10: 9814618276
• ISBN 13: 9789814618274
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 440