Grant: CIHR Café Scientifique Program

Stem cells have been hailed as the Holy Grail of modern medicine. Are they really? There is no doubt that stem cells can do remarkable things, but is there a limit to what they can achieve? Can we make body parts bigger, stronger and last longer thanks to regenerative medicine (RM) - RM harnesses the power of stem cells, biomaterials and molecules to repair, regenerate or replace diseased cells, tissues and organs - and should this be a goal? In this Cafe Scientifique, experts will discuss regulatory and ethical issues around creating super athletes, super soldiers and super heroes through stem cell- and biomaterials-based medical enhancements to our bodies.