Published by Australian Academy of Science
Useful sites | Stem cells – gateway to 21st century medicine

Stem cells (Biotechnology Australia)

Explains what stem cells are and how they might be used. Also gives some examples of stem cell research.
http://www.biotechnology.gov.au/index.cfm?event=object.showContent&objectID=D3308184-BCD6-81AC-116581F40B213F3C

Stem cells in the spotlight (Genetic Science Learning Center, USA)

A clearly presented coverage of stem cells. 'What is a stem cell?' uses a humorous animation to introduce stem cells. Other topics include 'What are some different types of stem cells?'; 'Stem cell therapies: What is the recipe for success?' and 'Creating stem cells for research'.
http://gslc.genetics.utah.edu/units/stemcells/

The Why File's guide to stem cells (The Why Files, USA)

A chatty coverage of stem cells. Includes 'Meet the stem cells' and 'Treating Parkinson's?'.
http://whyfiles.org/127stem_cell/index.html

National Institutes of Health, USA

• NIH backgrounder on stem cells
  Briefly answers a series of questions such as 'What are stem cells?' and 'What classes of stem cells are there?'.
  http://www.nih.gov/news/pr/mar2003/stemcellbackgrounder.htm

• Stem cell information: Stem cell basics
  More in-depth information about stem cells, presented as a series of questions and answers.
  http://stemcells.nih.gov/info/basics/

• Stem cell information: Report on stem cells
  Explores cutting edge research involving stem cells.
  http://stemcells.nih.gov/info/scireport/

Embryonic stem cells (University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA)

• Stem cell cultivation
  A simple colourful diagram illustrates how embryonic stem cells are cultivated.
  http://www.news.wisc.edu/packages/stemcells/index.html?get=illustration

• Stem cells in culture
  A video showing undifferentiated stem cells growing in culture over a 24-hour period. (Requires Quicktime.)
  http://www.news.wisc.edu/packages/stemcells/index.html?get=es_gpt

Stem cells at the dawn of the 21st century (PNAS Online, 12 August 2003, USA)

The introdution to a National Academy of Sciences symposium on regenerative medicine. Explains the differences between types of stem cells.
http://www.pnas.org/cgi/content/full/100/suppl_1/11817

Cloning clash (Insight, 10 October 2006, Special Broadcasting Service, Australia)

The transcript of a television debate on therapeutic cloning.
http://news.sbs.com.au/insight/trans.php?transid=986

Human stem cell research (Australian Academy of Science)

A report reviewing scientific and regulatory developments in human stem cell research during 2000-2001.
www.science.org.au/reports/stemcell.pdf

Stem cells for cell-based therapies (Actionbioscience.org)

Describes progress in stem cell research and likely future therapeutic applications.
http://www.actionbioscience.org/biotech/pecorino2.html

Nature.com (UK)

• Stem cell web focus
  Provides a selection of articles on stem cells from Nature, the well-known science journal.
  http://www.nature.com/nature/stemcells/

• Molecular mechanisms of stem-cell identity and fate
  A poster showing the origin of embryonic and adult stem cells.
  http://www.nature.com/nrc/posters/stemcell/stemcell_poster.pdf

Stem cells and the future of regenerative medicine (National Academies Press, USA)

A 2002 report summarises the findings of a workshop sponsored by the National Academies.
http://books.nap.edu/openbook/0309076307/html/index.html

Special Broadcasting Service (transcript)

• Stem cell divide (Insight, 8 March 2005)
  This programme examines the polarising issue of stem cell therapy and, in particular, the cloning of embryos for research. It brings together scientists, politicians, religious leaders and patients to contribute to the discussion.
  http://news.sbs.com.au/insight/trans.php?transid=685

Australian Broadcasting Corporation (transcripts)

• Therapeutic cloning (Ask an Expert)
  Provides answers to ten common questions about therapeutic cloning.
  http://www.abc.net.au/science/expert/realexpert/cloning/

• From my father's fridge (Australian Story, 25 April 2005)
  The story of medical scientist, Professor Robert Tindle, who made a discovery that led to the use of stem cells to save thousands of lives around the world, including his own daughter.
  http://www.abc.net.au/austory/content/2005/s1355603.htm

• End of embryo ban a boon for scientists (The Lab, 5 April 2005)
  Australian scientists have a wider pool of human embryos to use for research from today with the lifting of a ban on using recently created embryos.
  http://www.abc.net.au/science/news/health/HealthRepublish_1338622.htm

Why stem cells make for risky business (The Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering)

Explains that there are many difficulties separating scientific hope from technical reality.
http://www.atse.org.au/index.php?sectionid=477

The stem cell debate (Law for you, Australia)

The stem cell debate is part of an ongoing argument about the legality of research using human embryos. This looks behind the veil of jargon and ideology to get a clearer picture.
http://www.law4u.com.au/lil/ls_stem.html

Ethics