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Stem cell research gets a big boost
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Date Posted on this Site
July 2, 2007
Publication
Globe and Mail
Publication Date
June 28, 2007
Published Content
By Elizabeth Church
The world's first facility dedicated to understanding the role played by each gene in human embryonic stem cells will be established at Hamilton's McMaster University thanks to a "courageous" gift from a local businessman.
David Braley, who is also the owner of the BC Lions, is contributing $15- million to the promising but controversial field of study as part of a $50-million donation made yesterday to the university's medical school.
The money will be used to kick-start a multiyear project that scientists are describing as a kind of lending library that will categorize the function of each gene in human embryonic stem cells.
Eventually it will be able to provide stem cells with specific genetic characteristics to researchers working on treatments for a broad range of diseases.
Mr. Braley, a McMaster graduate who has already given millions to his former school, was praised yesterday for his groundbreaking move and his willingness to support a field of research that faces some strong opposition, especially in the United States.
"This is a courageous act in the face of political naysayers," said John Kelton, dean of the university's Michael DeGroote School of Medicine. "I think it is a stake in the ground to say, let's get on with it. If governments can't get their acts together, private donors are going to step up to the plate."
Mr. Braley, who is 66, said this latest gift is part of a long-term plan to give some "surplus money" to support education and health care in the city where his business operates and he scoffed at attempts to cast him as a hero.
"I'm not courageous. This is a really great business decision," he said. "We have to look at the basic structure of human embryonic stem cells and we have to do that to fix people. If we can do that, boy, what a step forward for mankind."
Developing a better understanding of how human embryonic stem cells function could be key to finding treatments for a host of diseases. That's because these cells are present at the earliest stages after conception and have the power to multiply indefinitely and grow into all the tissue types that make up the human body.
My Response Letter
I commend businessman David Braley for his desire to help his community and those who are sick and suffering. His donations are truly admirable. But his generosity is not enough to overlook the fact that many innocent human lives will be destroyed. If we do not value life from conception to natural death, eventually we will not value any life no matter what the stage.
Jason Gennaro
Was my response published?
No