Critical Thinkers' Forum on stem cell research creates new networks

	Due to the unique nature of stem cells they are potentially valuable for the treatment of disease and replacement of damaged tissue.
	Speakers at the Critical Thinkers' Forum were, back row from the left, Prof. Susan Kidson, Deputy Dean: Health Sciences, UCT; Dr Earl Prinsloo of Rhodes University; Prof. Michael Pepper, Director: Institute for Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Pretoria; Dr Antonel Olckers, CEO: DNAbiotec. In the front are Dr Marnie Potgieter, Postdoc, University of Pretoria; Prof. Kathy Myburgh of the University of Stellenbosch and Dr Marco Alessandrini, Postdoc, University of Pretoria and ME Enterprises. Not in the photo is Prof. Melodie Slabbert, Director: School of Law, Unisa.
	Prof. Melodie Slabbert, Director of the School of Law at Unisa, discusses the legal aspects relating to stem cell research in South Africa.
	The Forum brought together academics, policy makers, industry partners, the media and members of the general public to discuss the state of stem cell research and therapy in South Africa.

The Critical Thinkers' Forum on stem cell research and therapy that was organised by the Science Communication Unit's Public Understanding of Biotechnology (PUB*) team brought together academics, policy makers, industry partners, the media and members of the general public on 7 November 2012 to discuss the state of stem cell research and therapy in South Africa.

The highly successful Forum resulted in new networks being formed and a decision was taken to establish a "one stop shop" for information on stem cell treatment for patients and their families.

Professor Michael Pepper, who set the tone for the discussions, revealed fascinating facts about stem cells. Due to the unique nature of stem cells they are potentially valuable for the treatment of disease and replacement of damaged tissue, in addition to providing greater insight into the process of development.

Current uses (for many years already) are for bone marrow transplantation, to heal fractures, and for chronic wounds and burns. A recent example is that of a little girl with bad burn wounds who received new skin cultured from her own skin stem cells for wound treatment.

Cord blood bank

A huge problem highlighted at the Forum is that many South Africans requiring bone marrow transplants remain untreated because the health care profession is unable to meet the demand. South Africa's bone marrow registry (established in 1991) contains over 65 000 donors, who are mostly Caucasian and are therefore not good matches for African patients. Although more than 99% of the human genome is the same among individuals of different races, the small differences in the remaining fraction are important from a transplant point of view.

A strong case was made for establishing a public cord blood bank in South Africa, which can assist greatly with the provision of stem cells locally. Cord blood refers to stem cells from the umbilical cord and placenta, an alternative source to bone marrow. The process of collecting cord blood is non-invasive and can increase the pool of local donors significantly. Only private cord blood banks currently operate in South Africa. A Department of Health-funded feasibility study for such a public bank is currently underway.

Stem cell research vs stem cell treatment

Speakers were adamant that the public has to be clearly informed of what stem cell treatment can do for them and what misinformation is being spread by unethical practitioners. "People are marketing stem cell therapies that are not yet verified and part of routine clinical practice," said Pepper.

If someone is prepared to participate in a clinical trial for stem cell therapy, they should be certain that the trial is well controlled, is registered with the Medical Council and has been approved by an ethics committee, and they should never pay for such treatment.

The presence of legislation in South Africa that is incomplete, inaccurate and not enforced, currently leads to vulnerable, ill people being exploited.

By Ina Roos, SAASTA

* PUB is an initiative of the Department of Science and Technology that is implemented by SAASTA.