Imagine a world where we treat disease not with pills in a bottle but with our own stem cells; where we provide cures for the most devastating of illnesses instead of treating their symptoms; where we look inside ourselves to understand and then amplify our body’s natural repair system instead of developing complex chemical drugs …

We welcome you to the Cellular Age.

On the following pages you will meet members of the next generation. These young scholars have accepted a responsibility that will help mold the future of society and mankind. They are our messengers to the next generation of the paradigm shift occurring in medicine – they are our Student Ambassadors for the Cellular Age.

STUDENT AMBASSADORS FOR THE CELLULAR AGE

Our Student Ambassadors for the Cellular Age are a distinguished international group of students and faculty that are serving as messengers to the world, particularly to the next generation. By adding new voices to our cause, the Student Ambassador program challenges us all to move science forward, to forge new relationships with science and research academia, and to help introduce adult stem cell science into modern and popular culture.

Program Mission Statement:The mission of the Student Ambassador for the Cellular Age program is to inspire the next generation about the power of adult stem cell science and the critical role these cellular therapies will play in medicine world-wide.

We will accomplish our mission by:• Educating the Student Ambassadors about the paradigm shift toward regenerative

medicine;• Empowering them through creation of a global initiative aimed at raising awareness

about regenerative medicine;• Providing them access to a highly experienced network of scientists, medical

professionals, policy makers, and clergy; and• Encouraging the younger generation to be part of an open dialogue about

responsible science.

Ashley AbergBioethics – Mbe 2014

University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphia, PennsylvaniaUnited States of America

Significant advances in regenerative medicine have the potential to reduce human suffering – both physical and emotional – by providing innovative and accessible treatment schemes for currently chronic conditions. As an example, the number of patients in the United States currently awaiting transplant on the UNOS Registry far surpasses the number of organs likely to become available before many of the patients die. Then, when an organ does become available its allocation is, essentially, reduced to a cost benefit analysis. Cell regenerative therapy holds the promise of treating many patients with chronic illnesses that, to date, have poor outcome prognoses, at a point in time before transplant enters the discussion.

As a former undergraduate Philosophy major with a minor in STS (Science, Technology and Society) and a current Master’s candidate in Bioethics, I see an important influence of regenerative medicine on the future of mankind as its ability to focus the discussion of the patient as a person in the treatment equation. The potential to reduce human suffering through the promise of cellular therapies hold the promise of forever altering a patients physical and emotional quality of life.

Guy AchkoutyCardiology Fellow

Université Saint Joseph de Beyrouth

Beirut, Lebanon

There is a lack of consensus among the scientific community regarding a clear definition of Regenerative Medicine. However, the most commonly used definition is “the process of replacing or regenerating human cells, tissues or organs to restore or establish normal function”.

Regenerative Medicine is a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it has great potential in the treatment of a number of conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, spinal cord injuries, Alzheimer’s disease, schizophrenia, cancer, heart failure and diabetes. It also has the potential to solve organ transplant problems by compensating the shortage of organs available as well as reducing the rejections. On the other hand, regenerative medicine is not seen as ideal for technical and ethical reasons. In fact, embryo-derived cells are extracted directly from embryo at the stage of blastocyst leading to its destruction; moreover, the long term effects of the therapy are still unknown risking the formation of tumors.

Regenerative medicine remains a controversial issue in some countries. In my opinion, apart from the normal and ethical issue of using human embryonic stem cells in research; the use of adult stem cells seems to have a very promising future by offering the potential to improve the quality of life for many. I think it will be the next evolution of medical treatments.

Regenerative medicine is a multidisciplinary field which involves the replacement, repair and replacement of old and worn out tissues. It involves use and culturing of stem cells to give rise to various tissues. Stem cells have the potential to create miracles due to the possibility of creating new tissues from the undifferentiated cells. This will lead to development of various tissues and organs which can be transplanted during organ transplant requirements reducing burden on existing patients waiting for transplants. It has been applied to treat various disorders like neurological disorders, skeletal muscle cells replacement, cardiac repair, orthopedic disorders, cancer therapies, diabetic treatment etc. In underdeveloped and developing countries, regenerative medicine can lead to increase in people’s life span, better medical treatments etc. With the rapid advance of stem cell research, it’ll be easier to repair and replace damaged tissues. I, for one look forward to many years of exciting research in the field which has immense potential for the betterment of mankind and in future years to provide many solutions to clinical questions.

Nikhil S. Bardeskar

M.Sc. – Part I, BiotechnologySt. Xavier’s College-Autonomous

Mumbai, MaharashtraRepublic of India

Regenerative medicine, with successful research, is on the verge of becoming one of the most promising fields in the management of diseases. Most importantly, it has the potential to heal, or even recreate a dysfunctional organ of the human body, whose physiological function was altered congenitally, after trauma or infection. It will be able to assure what medication, surgery or physical procedures cannot succeed to date. However, this curative method has several bioethical issues that need to be addressed, especially those regarding the source of the stem cells. For example, we know that Catholics, as well as persons of other faiths, believe that life starts at conception, and believe that embryos cannot be used as sources of stem cells as one should not cure by destroying lives. Strong boundaries need to be placed in order to avoid science from being a weapon against mankind. Regenerative medicine, if successful, would bring mankind to the essence of life, because medicine would go from managing dysfunctional organs to curing them. We should always remember that only God has the Power to create life. And we should always conciliate faith with medical practices, in order to avoid science from trespassing the bioethical rules.

Joseph Bernard, Jr.Medical Resident

Université Notre Dame d’HaïtiPort-au-Prince, Haiti

Adriano Ciambella

Civil and Canonic LawPontificia Università Lateranense

Rome, Italy

The scientific evolution of our century inexorably leads to having to deal with, as men and as Catholics, the new frontier of medicine that increasingly turns its eyes to a perspective based on the use of regenerative stem cells. The potential of these cells is now unanimous on an international level, which represents the concrete hope of overcoming diseases that until now seemed incurable; but despite these encouraging prospects, we cannot avoid combining all this with those non-negotiable values and ethics which inspire us. For this reason, it appears that priority must be given, in the regenerative field, to the use of adult stem cells which can regenerate and repair naturally the tissues and organs eventually damaged; in fact, to compensate for the continual degeneration of aging cell tissue, and therefore the rapid and inexorable degeneration of all the organs, nature has come up with maintenance systems for the body which are entrusted with their own adult stem cells. This means it is possible to combine together science and ethics, thus being able to achieve the scientific advancements demanded of our time, in full respect of the embryo as a living being worthy of dignity and protection, because in the words of Benedict XVI, “The destruction of even one human life can never be justified in terms of the benefit that it might conceivably bring to another.”

Angela ChlebowskiGraduate Student – Integrated Healthcare Leadership (MSN)

Fairfield UniversityFairfield, Connecticut

United States of America

Regenerative Medicine to our future societies means scientific hope. When an individual is faced with disease or illness the spiritual questions of “why” and a person’s reasoning of “how” come into play. The internal battle is profound. Regenerative medicine can give those of us battling or supporting someone with a disease a new hope. Many patients have, at this point, exhausted all available therapies in current modern medicine. During this exciting time, where regenerative medicine is propelling forward, science and spirituality have the unique opportunity of working collaboratively to find advancements in the care of all human beings.

These advancements can give mankind a more fulfilled quality of life.

Raquel DiazMedical Anthropology/Bioethics – Class

of 2014 Institute of Bioethics – Pontificia Universidad JaverianaBogotá, Colombia

South America

Without any doubt, regenerative medicine would be one of the greatest achievements for mankind. However, what part of the population would have total access to these types of medical therapies? Latin-American countries are dealing with a series of social and political issues regarding the access of the general population to proper health care. In Colombia, most people have to pay in order to receive basic, proper, medical attention that not always is at its best quality.

If the future of mankind relays on the development of new medical technologies, it is important to start thinking about how people from undeveloped countries are going to have access to this sort of technology, in a context where people have not sort out yet, social and economical inequality; the type of ethical issues that will raise if you start collecting samples in populations that live in extreme poverty and that are willing to give away their stem-cells for money; but most importantly, it is time to start thinking in the social and cultural impact that these technology will have on people’s life and the controversies that will raise from it.

Regenerative medicine is arguably the most exciting area of medical science today. Millions of people around the world suffer greatly from illnesses due to defective tissues or organs that require tissue transplants such as bone marrow for leukemic patients or organ transplants such as a new heart for those born with congenital cardiac anomalies. Hundreds of thousands await organ transplants that never come, and even for those that do receive that much needed organ, many suffer from graft rejection and ultimately lose function of that organ.

Regenerative medicine and advances in adult stem cell research allow for ethical scientific advances that can relieve suffering for millions as well as eliminate the issue of host graft rejection from a foreign tissue transplant. I also believe that regenerative medicine provides an opportunity for greater collaboration between the Church and the scientific community. Over the centuries, the Church has, at times, been in opposition to scientific breakthroughs. Regenerative medicine provides an avenue of ethical research with which the Church can agree, and which can help alleviate the suffering of millions across the globe.

Michael Hutz2nd Year Medical Student

Loyola University Chicago – Stritch Medical School

Chicago, IllinoisUnited States of America

Margaret KennedyPhilosophy – Class of 2013University of Notre Dame

South Bend, IndianaUnited States of America

Regenerative medicine opens the door to great advances in the scientific and medical realms that will affect all aspects of the human experience- how we grow, how we age, how we suffer, and how we take full advantage of the gifts God has given us. By developing a method by which doctors are able to reconstruct tissues affected by disease or injury, we can conceive of a future in which patients will no longer be debilitated by a wide variety of diseases or injuries, and even many of the effects of aging.  While this provides great promise for patients and their families, it also provides a practical focus to the exploration of questions about human dignity and the role of suffering and aging in our lives. Because regenerative medicine seeks to manipulate the normal cycle of growth and decay, it challenges ethicists, scientists, doctors, religious leaders, and policy makers to grapple with the meaning of suffering and the limits of the human person during our time here on earth. If we explore these questions now and build a culture that respects human dignity, regenerative medicine provides a horizon of opportunity that we have only begun to imagine.

Since the 20th century medicine has moved forward. We now know a lot more about the functioning of our body, we also have discovered many new drugs, and pharmaceutical companies are among the richest in the world. But despite that, many people suffer from diseases we still cannot cure - and the number of such people is increasing. For example, as of now around 7 million people will be diagnosed with myocardial infarction every year. Because of unhealthy diets and sedentary life styles led by citizens of developed countries, the age of myocardial infarction onset is decreasing. After suffering a myocardial infarction, patients develop heart scarring, which makes their life harder.

That makes rehabilitation and drug use necessary and increases the possibility of heart failure as well. Stem cells or regeneration can possibly help such individuals, and improve their life. Other still incurable medical conditions include: spinal cord injury (caused by accidents), Parkinson’s disease (our society is aging now) and Type 1 Diabetes. That is why we should investigate stem cells, and create new ways of treatment. This way we may make many patients hopes come true.

Katarzyna KmiotekBiotechnology and Neuroscience

Uniwersytet JagiellonskiKraków, Poland

I think that Regenerative Medicine using adult stem cells is a real hope and a future possibility in the management of several diseases, especially degenerative and chronic diseases. I know that there are many trials which are showing new possibilities in the treatment of incurable diseases such as myocardial infarction, diabetes, scleroderma, cirrhosis, etc. Another very important interest is in tumor treatment. However, I know that only a few diseases currently can be treated with adult stem cell therapies with beneficial results and that the greater barrier to overcome is to instruct stem cells to behave in specific ways. In fact, stem cells not well instructed, even without understanding the appropriate environment in which they can well differentiate, can yield any cell types. It follows that risk of occurrence of tumors is high.

In conclusion I think that a lot of good and bad interests will appear because of these new therapies, and always when financial interests are at stake the patients and their suffering are at risk to be confined to last place. So good information that explains adult stem cell therapies with their ethic, cultural, religious implications, and their effective present and probable future results, is what is needed.

don Fabrizio Liborio

Moral Theology and BioethicsPontificia Università della Santa

CroceRome, Italy

Mankind today has been able to utilize human intelligence efficiently through new and rapid technological developments. Regenerative medicine has proven to be a roadblock for the world's top intellects; firstly being able to discover and research for the benefit of humans must be its ultimate goal. With that in mind, humanity is held together by ethics and morality which are the foundation of human life. Successfully creating a balance between scientific analysis and ethical teachings has proven to pose a difficult challenge, for which regenerative medicine is a combination of the two. Can this be achieved? Our world either stands and defends science and its atheistic trends or joins the harder team group where faith, invisible as it can be, is the ultimate source for answers to unsolvable questions. Regenerative medical research is yet another test for mankind, using our intelligence to its maximum potential. With knowledge and reason we can only receive from the Creator, the ultimate source. Rejecting this simple fact is a consequence and it is something regenerative medicine research could possibly encounter. Ongoing development within the field is a reflection of humanity and how solving one challenge only leads to another. As regenerative medicine is just another Mount Everest to be conquered, success only leads to even more opportunities, which mankind always needs.

Stanisław MąkaJournalism

College of Social and Media Culture in Toruń

Toruń, Poland

Mariah MarascoGraphic Design – Class of 2015

Lehigh UniversityBethlehem, PennsylvaniaUnited States of America

I believe that regenerative medicine is an exciting new field that we will see moving forward in mankind’s fight against illness. As we know, many degenerative diseases take away parts of our bodies’ ability of regrowth. Regenerative medicine such as stem cell use creates the opportunity for new, healthy cells to replace damaged cells. It is the most logical way to treat degenerative diseases as there are many cases in which a simple treatment or medication cannot fix the problem. While there has been much controversy surrounding the use of embryonic stem cells, the new field of stem cell therapies offers a solution that creates an alliance between science and faith.

The beauty of stem cells is that they can be used to solve a variety of problems across a wide range of diseases. Regenerative medicine has great potential to extend the life expectancy of humans who previously had no hope when an organ failed. Scientists are working with stem cells to grow perfect replicas of human organs that will be able to replace faulty ones when needed. This branch of medicine is progressive in a positive way and is essential for mankind to continue lengthening life expectancy.

Rebecca MartonBiological Sciences – Class of 2014

University of Notre DameSouth Bend, Indiana

United States of America

Regenerative medicine has the enormous potential to improve the quality of human life by healing a wide variety of previously untreatable diseases and injuries. Adult stem cells in particular hold great promise for future therapies, as they occur naturally in nearly every organ of the body. The role of these cells is to produce replacements for old or damaged cells throughout life. Studying how adult stem cells function to maintain healthy tissue can lead to therapies for diseases that arise when reparation mechanisms fail. The advantage of learning to manipulate one’s own endogenous machinery is that it will allow for customizable, less intrusive procedures to provide better comfort for those suffering from disease.

Advancements in regenerative medicine will not only serve to lessen human suffering, but will also allow those that were previously afflicted with disease to rejoin their communities. The true value of health and vitality is to be able to participate in communion with others and the natural world, something that cannot be accomplished when confined to a hospital bed. Ultimately, the potential of regenerative medicine is to alleviate the suffering of those facing certain diseases and allow them to share more fully in a life with others.

John Paul MikhaielNeurobiology and Philosophy –

Class of 2014Georgetown University

Washington, D.C.United States of America

Regenerative medicine holds great potential to aid in human suffering and greatly increase the quality of life for those who are in pain, sick, and/or senescent. It is unlike anything we have ever witnessed prior in its ability to repair our body parts with our own living tissue. Regenerative technologies further the extraordinary strides that have already been made in medicine by way of repairing and treating diseases heretofore deemed irremediable. Further, and perhaps most exciting, regenerative medicine utilizes the potential within our own cells.

In such a way, not only will regenerative medicine have versatile function across many ailments, but also have an individual and specific tailored fit to those receiving treatment. One of the biggest benefits of transformative and healing adult stem cells is that their use does not come at the cost of human life. The advanced research in adult stem cells is truly remarkable insofar as it guarantees that human suffering may be alleviated without compromising the respect for all human dignity.

Peter Bogonko Momanyi

BSC Biology – 4th YearThe Catholic University of Eastern

AfricaNairobi, Kenya

AfricaRegenerative Medicine- is the process of replacing or regenerating human cells, tissues or organs to restore or establish normal function.

Many diseases and body injuries can damage our tissues and organs in ways that today are beyond repair, meaning physicians can do little more than treat the symptoms of these diseases. This field holds the promise of regenerating damaged tissues and organs in the body by replacing damaged tissue or by stimulating the body's own repair mechanisms to heal previously irreparable tissues or organs. Regenerative medicine also will empower scientists to grow tissues and organs in the laboratory and safely implant them when the body cannot heal itself. Importantly, regenerative medicine will have the potential to solve the problem of the shortage of organs available for donation compared to the number of patients that require life-saving organ transplantation. Depending on the source of cells, it will potentially solve the problem of organ transplant rejection if the organ's cells are derived from the patient's own tissue or cells.

Regenerative medicine as an emerging science will provide a therapeutic platform that will aim to treat the root cause rather than just the symptoms of diseases.

Rong Xi Felicia Neo

Master Clinical Nursing – Class of 2014

Australian Catholic UniversityVictoria, Australia

I think regenerative medicine is a really exciting biomedical advancement that most agree is the way forward in healthcare. It is a reflection of humanity’s gifts of intelligence, innovation, creativity and strength to push boundaries. Adult stem cell research may potentially reduce the burden of diseases on mankind and improve the quality of life for the sick without costing the lives of human embryos. I think regenerative medicine gives us a glimpse of a future that Jesus has promised us in Him, a world where He will “wipe away every tear from our eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore” (Revelations 21:4).

However, to risk sounding negative, as we contemplate the advancements in regenerative medicine in the improvement of mankind, there is a greater call for careful examination and ethical use of technology. Also, what will humanity look like in the face of poverty in both developed nations and third world countries, if the rich live longer and better whilst the poor get left behind? These are exciting times for biomedical science and health care, which yet begets the consideration and discussion of important ethical issues.

Chronic diseases are the plague of humanity in our time. They are partly a result of prolonged life span but certainly many other factors are involved in this phenomenon. Degenerative processes, cancers, allergies, strokes and mechanical injuries may result in these conditions, which, at the present stage of the development of medicine, are incurable and irreversible. One response for this problems has been the recent development of transplantation. Using this technique we can replace the destroyed or degenerated organs. But the consequence of every transplant from another is the necessity to use immunosuppressive medicines which can only delay the rejection of practically every transplanted organ and have many serious side-effects.  New hope is provided by a new technology of regeneration of organs and related methods. Using stem cells we can regenerate tissues in the diseased organs. There are many promising experiments in this field. Although this technique is still in the relatively early stage, its clinical application seems to be more and more possible in the coming years.

Fr Jacek Maria Norkowski

Moral TheologyPontificia Università San Tomasso

d’AquinoRome, Italy

Humberto Mestre Payne

Medicine – Class of 2014Universidad AnáhuacHuixquilucan, Mexico

When one thinks of regenerative medicine, one imagines growing missing limbs, replacing failing organs on demand, and preventing premature deaths due to human illness. The human body is made up of an intricate network of cell subsets, working in unison to provide life. Most instances of human disease lie in the functional or physical breakdown of one of these cell types. This is why regenerative medicine at this point in time is exemplified by stem cells. These are capable of differentiating into any cell in the human body, allowing us to repopulate any decimated or dysfunctional cell population. Even though science has made enormous strides since the discovery of stem cells, we are far from achieving these science fiction-like therapies.

Nonetheless, due to the potential that stem cells have on eliminating human disease a greater initiative must be taken to research and fund their use. If the molecular mechanisms that make us who we are become better elucidated and understood we could eventually achieve truly regenerative medicine. It is impossible to predict the effect that this will have on humanity because being able to harness the awe-inspiring powers of nature will definitely change the definition of mankind altogether.

Humans have always needed to survive medical advances and to the extent possible, increase our life expectancy. The combination of technology and Biomedicine allow people with little chance of survival to have hope from regenerative therapies. Regenerative medicine is already of great importance for patients who have suffered severe burns and will become even more when you can use a patient’s own cells (stem cells) to regenerate an organ not functioning correctly due to an accident or congenital malformation. Naturally, this leads to man’s control of cells so it is necessary to raise ethical questions with regard to the excessive and irresponsible use of these technologies.

Society in general should be educated as to these advancements with the potential of improving the quality of human life and on the other hand they should be attainable by minorities. You would expect that the medicine of the future would be individualized and that humanity is witnessing one of the great milestones of Medicine: the regeneration of whole organs to save lives. Science, education, and cultural traditions will influence our understanding of all the possible scenarios, including the moral issues relating to immortality.

Julio Antonio Gómez Rodriguez

Bioengineering – Ph.D. CandidateUniversidad Centroamericana

Managua, NicaraguaCentral America

Kristin SpringerBiology – Class of 2014

University of Notre DameSouth Bend, Indiana

United States of America

It is estimated that between 4 and 5 million Americans are left debilitated by spinal cord injury each year, with countless others injured throughout the world. Further, it is said that more than 10% of people, aged 20 and older in the United States, suffer from chronic kidney disease, while about 600,000 people die of heart disease in the United States every year. While these numbers are staggering, researchers remain hopeful that in the coming years, the knowledge gained from stem cell research will provide important answers concerning how best to combat these diseases.

Regenerative medicine serves as a beckon of hope for these individuals, as the research initiatives aimed to find cures for these ailments are well underway. In this sense, regenerative medicine will no doubt have an immensely positive impact on the future of mankind, as it will allow for the lengthening of human life and an improvement in the quality of life. However, with such incredible knowledge as that that will encompass regenerative medicine, much responsibility is involved. I believe that there will come a time in the future where many questions will have to be answered, especially those concerning the interplay between regenerative medicine, faith, ethics, and culture.

Julia VaczyBusiness-Finance – Class of 2014

Villanova UniversityVillanova, Pennsylvania

United States of America

Throughout the past few decades, regenerative medicine has become a widely growing industry and its benefits to modern medicine have only begun to unfold. As a finance student with an interest in healthcare, I believe that the benefits that the growth of regenerative medicine could have on the cost and quality of healthcare are substantial. Firstly, it is important to note that the world’s population is aging and that elderly people require a stronger use of capital to cover their healthcare needs. The United States spends about 18% of GDP on healthcare each year, but because healthcare costs grow at a rate dramatically greater than the rate of inflation the cost of healthcare and health insurance will soon become unsustainable.

This is where regenerative medicine could play an important role by allowing for the reduction of the cost of healthcare to society as a whole. The treatment of many long term and chronic illnesses is expensive and in many cases sub-optimal. Regenerative therapies could dramatically reduce these costs, as well as improve the quality of life for those suffering from long term illness. Regenerative therapies also have the potential to reduce the costs of treatment of acute illness, potentially avoiding painful and expensive surgical procedures and recoveries. In conclusion, the development of regenerative medicine could dramatically lessen the financial burden of healthcare while at the same time substantially increasing the quality of life of so many individuals afflicted with illness.

Olivia Van BokkelenGeneral Studies

Hudson Middle SchoolHudson, Ohio

United States of America

I believe regenerative medicine will impact mankind in an extremely positive way. Regenerative medicine can benefit people with multiple different conditions, injuries, and diseases. Regenerative medicine could even help treat the most commonly fatal conditions, like heart disease. Regenerative medicine can help repair an injured or afflicted area. Also conditions that occur such as strokes, burns, or heart attacks can be treated with just a simple injection. This type of medical advancement can help people world wide, providing a stronger healthier world. As well as being a major medical advancement, regenerative medicine can also help people economically as well.

With just a simple injection, managing and even in some cases curing a condition, can be much less expensive then multiple surgeries that might be associated with an injury or disease. Regenerative medicine is a major advancement and benefit to our health care system and is associated with very few trade offs. In conclusion regenerative medicine provides a very high likelihood that our world will prosper with stronger and healthier people. Regenerative medicine creates opportunities for future medical advancements that could increase our knowledge of human biology, and could increase the effectiveness of medical care for patients that are suffering.

Regenerative medicine from adult stem cells means the opening of a great door of hope in the treatment of many diseases that affect thousands of people, and is a clear proposal against the use and destruction of embryonic stem cells that injure human dignity. Basic ethical foundations should not be forgotten by science as their research occurs in humans and regenerative medicine has a duty not to fragment man. It should not be seen simply as an organic machine for change and improvement of anatomical parts, but a human being with a reality corporeal, spiritual, historical, personal and transcendental. Therefore, the dialogue between science, faith, ethics and culture are needed, because they have an anthropological influence. Against exaggerated optimism and desire beyond the mythological "Greek Titan Prometheus", regenerative medicine for immortality must respond to the essentially human with a scope that addresses the social, political and economic. I believe that regenerative medicine, although it requires economic investment for its realization, must respond to the obligation to serve all mankind. To do this, everyone involved must promote justice of regenerative medicine among the underprivileged, in order to prevent it from becoming an instrument of infamy against man himself. Therefore, it confirms the need for dialogue in this broad interdisciplinary field of study, so that unacceptable human cost is avoided.

P. Samuel Velásquez-Serrano

Moral Theology and BioethicsPontificia Università Gregoriana

Rome, Italy

I believe regenerative medicine has the potential to offer a range of potential benefits to mankind:

‒ reduce human disease and suffering by establishing effective target cell therapies especially for the indications that conventional medicine historically have been largely ineffective; ‒ improve the quality and reduce the associated cost of healthcare, particularly for the chronically ill; ‒ allow scientists to develop parallel sciences both for other healthcare and unrelated applications; and ‒ enable society to reallocate resources to other basic human needs (e.g. environment, natural resources, education, etc.).

There are medical doctors who are skeptical of regenerative medicine. Many others are not aware of, nor understand, the concept of such a treatment and prevention approach. Hence, the development of this revolutionary field also requires informing the public of the basic underlying science of regenerative medicine so as to maximize acceptance and minimize misconceptions, as has often occurred historically with major advances in sciences. I look forward to becoming a part of the global advocacy and educational campaign, and playing my role, as a Student Ambassador for the Cellular Age. It is my sincere hope that regenerative medicine will succeed in permanently exempting humans from the law of natural selection.

Kelly WeiHuman Rights/Pre-Med – Class of

2014Columbia UniversityNew York, New York

United States of America

Latest achievements in medicine, give seriously ill people many new possibilities and hope to finally get cured. We all are supposed to learn, develop and explore new opportunities to make life easier and the world better. While on this path, we must not forget about the hierarchy of values we profess. Regardless of what religion we are, the first and most important value is human life. Respecting life is treating everyone with equal importance. When it comes to using human cells in treatment, or trying to clone and create a human being under the microscope, it raises questions: is it moral, isn’t it as though we are pretending to be God? It is magnificent news, that developments in medicine let us save more lives every year, but what are the costs? To use human embryos like any other ordinary biological material, disturbs our sensitivities. There might be a time in the future, when buying and using human cells, embryos or organs for one’s own goals, will be commonplace and there will be nothing wrong about it. There always should exist some ethical limits in medicine, if not, in the near future, human life will mean not more than another insignificant detail.

Karolina WysockaJournalism

College of Social and Media Culture in Toruń

Toruń, Poland

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