By Rob Wright
There are three taboo topics at work sex, politics, and religion. You would think discussing science should therefore be acceptable. However, strike up a conversation on stem cell research, and youre likely going to be covering all three of those taboo topics.
Now imagine you are the CEO of a stem cell therapy research and development company, and you decide to discuss the benefits of stem cell research with the executive leadership of one of the largest and wealthiest organizations in the world, which, by the way, has also taken a firm and very public position against the use of embryonic stem cell research the Roman Catholic Church. That is exactly what Robin Smith, M.D., chairman and CEO of NeoStem (NASDAQ: NBS), decided to do. Not only did Smith strike up a conversation, she and the team at NeoStem successfully orchestrated what has been characterized as the Vaticans first-ever contract of collaboration with an outside commercial venture to advance adult stem cell research.
This unprecedented initiative pairs NeoStem and the Stem for Life Foundation (SFLF), a public charity it helped form and for which Smith serves as president and chairman, together with the Pontifical Council for Culture and its charitable organization Science, Theology and the Ontological Quest (STOQ), an alliance of experts from the disciplines of science, theology, and philosophy. The purpose of this collaboration is to promote and conduct an interdisciplinary dialogue to build a bridge between science and theology. This union also is intended to expand research and raise awareness about adult stem cell therapies and explore their clinical applications in the field of regenerative medicine as well as the cultural impact of such research. Smith shares her insights on the purpose and process of brokering a deal with a religious organization, something many scientists might view with skepticism.
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NeoStem's CEO Spearheads Stem Cell Research Collaboration With The Roman Catholic Church