UofT’s Student Society for Stem Cell Research (SSSCR) is set to host its sixth annual conference this February over Zoom. ReGen 21, one of the largest student-run conferences in the Toronto area, aims this year to bring together a diverse group of passionate students and stem cell experts from across the country—and beyond—to engage in a day of discussion, debate, and networking.
“Few scientific ideas have persisted with such clinical and therapeutic potential as stem cells,” commented past conference chair, Sebastian Warma, in an interview with The Strand. “As stem cells become more widely available and accessible, they are becoming an ever more interesting and applicable avenue of scientific research.”
Adding to the importance of stem cell research in understanding how we grow, develop, and adapt, the possibilities of regenerative medicine—including organ cloning and stem cell transplants—have drawn industry interest in recent years. Many biotechnology companies aim to harness the medical applications of stem cells in a targeted way, engineering tools and therapeutics based around regeneration.
However, the potential for the cloning of tissues, organs, or even whole organisms also invites debate and controversy. Bioethics advocates, healthcare administrators, research and industry experts, students, and everyday people are all a part of the ongoing discussion about what the limits of stem cell research and regenerative therapeutics should be.
In line with its goals to facilitate this discussion, ReGen 21 will feature speakers from the fields of Research, Bioethics, and Business/Law; a debate on the ethics of autologous stem cell transplants; networking sessions with stem cell research and industry experts; and case competitions challenging students to come up with research proposals or policy resolutions related to a stem cell challenge. The full conference schedule is available here.
“The promise of stem cells is still in its infancy; thus, it is important to establish a thorough understanding of not only the ethical implications but also the legal and commercial framework for their use and development,” says Warma. “The ReGen 21 Conference is a unique opportunity to complement classroom learning with skills and insight from real world discussions of ethics, law, business and research.”
Registration for ReGen 21 will be available until the day of the conference on February 27, 2021; register for free here.
