.- The International Federation of Catholic Medical Associations and the Pontifical Academy for Life will hold a World Meeting on the future of therapeutic research with stem cells in September, concentrating on its scientific aspects and bioethical challenges.
Stem cells can be harvested either from embryos-which requires the death of a newly conceived human-or from umbilical cord tissue and blood.
The conference is intended to provide a forum for evaluating the therapeutic applications of stem cell research in different clinical fields, as well as the future of such research in regenerative medicine, biotechnology, economics, and politics. "The top experts of the world in this field have been invited," said Jose Maria Simon, president of the Federation. Participants will also have a special audience with Pope Benedict XVI, he added.
For more information on the event visit: <http://www.stemcellsrome2006.org>
