Grant: CIHR Café Scientifique Program

The objective of the Café will be to make the latest Canadian research on stem cells and their impact on patients, the medical community and society accessible to the general public, encouraging Canadians from all sectors of society to engage CIHR health researchers, and contribute their views on current research and future directions on this topic. Stem cell research and its treatments is a growing interest for all Canadians, due to increase in stem cell use for various cures, treatments and research. Current demographic trends indicate an increase in the significance of stem cell usage in treatments for chronic diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. A large portion of the Canadian population is facing retirement age and many of these individuals are curious about the ethical and long-term health implications of these treatments and research. The difference between embryonic and stem cells will be illustrated by our panel of experts which include moderator Dr. Clem Persaud, and CIHR health experts Dr. Renata E. Axler and Dr. Bhaskar Chanda (University of Toronto). Each of these experts will provide Café attendees with an overview of current stem cell treatments and practices, what are the needs of Canadian patients today and how we can best address these needs appropriately in the future. One of the main ways in which the proposed Café Scientifique will meet CIHR objectives is that the event will focus on a health topic that is pertinent to every Canadian, as every treatment may be of benefit to each individual. The Café addresses these concerns by answering how will the research is performed, what impact it has made and what are the ethical implications and differences between embryonic and adult stem cells. Hence, the quality and validity of research presented by these Café experts, all active in this field, is invaluable through its impact on the health and lives of health care providers, users and all who attend.