Member Article

Centre for Life takes stem cell knowledge to Westminster

Science communicators from the Centre for Life in Newcastle have been invited to the House of Commons to explain stem cells to politicians. The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill will have its second reading in the House today, and 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, said: “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 an exhibit to let them explore the different types of stem cell and what they can do.

Linda Conlon said: “Impartial, accessible information leads to an informed debate. If we don’t provide this information, who will?”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .