Breakthrough: On Scientific Progress and Politics

The latest news from the stem cell world is quite promising. Setting aside the hype and politics, normal science (where allowed by law) has been proceeding along a trajectory intended to develop cellular treatments for disease. The latest report in Science details remarkable progress in methods for developing cell therapies that treat disease without causing immune rejection. While some critics have already disparaged the report as "only a mouse study," this latest work represents another important step in the field.

If you haven't noticed, regular reports from the stem cell field describe advances on a regular basis. These reports are not part of some hype campaign conjured up by the biotechnology industry or Pharma to bump up share values. Rather many recent breakthrough studies are emerging from academic and non-profit research laboratories in California, Massachusetts and Connecticut, coincidence? These states have invested in stem cell research and development, and they are beginning to realize the fruits of their labor.

The model is quite clear. You want breakthroughs on the frontiers of science? Then provide long-term support for the experiments, human capital (particularly young scientists) and facilities vital to any sustainable research enterprise. Public science works.

Critics may continue to split hairs over the significance of any particular report, but the collective rate of progress has been remarkable. Imagine if we had the same commitment to research on alternative sources of energy.

Oh, on the political front, Nebraska just passed a law to restrict stem cell research in the state. Science and politics are proceeding as normal!

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