< Back to front page Text size – +

Harvard stem cell researcher: Time to 'stop the silliness'

E-mail | Print | Comments () Posted by Elizabeth Cooney February 2, 2009 06:55 AM

Facebook
E-mail

Harvard scientist Douglas Melton, featured in a Time magazine cover story on stem cell research, hopes a new president means an end to the Bush-era ban on embryonic stem cell research.

"We can stop the silliness," he says in the story.

Melton's personal connection to finding a cure for diseases through stem cells began at home: His two children have type 1 diabetes, as told in this Globe profile. Since his son was diagnosed 17 years ago, he has been part of promising advances in the field. While cautious, the Time story says, he is also confident.

'"Everything we learned about stem cells tells us this was a really powerful approach," Melton says. "It would be a great shame if we let it wither and just go away."

Facebook
E-mail

« Back to front page

About white coat notes

White Coat Notes covers the latest from the health care industry, hospitals, doctors offices, labs, insurers, and the corridors of government. Chelsea Conaboy previously covered health care for The Philadelphia Inquirer. Write her at cconaboy@boston.com. Follow her on Twitter: @cconaboy.

Daily Dose | More Health&Wellness

health answers

Long-term health consequences to being born prematurely? It's estimated that each year nearly 500,000 babies in the United States are born prematurely, or before 37 weeks of pregnancy. Submit question | More answers