November 24, 2008 12:59 ET

Rescinding the Ban on Embryonic Stem Cell Research: Experts Speak Out on What's Next for This Area of Biotechnology

WASHINGTON, DC--(Marketwire - November 24, 2008) - President-Elect Barack Obama has announced that soon after his inauguration, he will lift the ban on federally funding research using additional lines of human embryonic stem cells. This action is the first of many steps necessary for the development of new stem cell therapies.

Three experts are ready to discuss how the availability of federal funding will advance embryonic stem cell research. They also will explain that lifting the ban is an important step, but just the first step, of the policy prescriptions needed to move from this promising research to patient therapies and cures.

WHO:    James C. Greenwood, President & CEO
        Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO)
        [Former Member of Congress (R-PA) and US House Energy
        & Commerce Committee]

        Dr. Thomas Okarma, President & CEO
        Geron Corporation (NASDAQ: GERN)
        [World's largest embryonic stem cell company]

        Dr. Aaron Levine, Assistant Professor
        Georgia Institute of Technology
        [Author of recently published report on the worldwide impact of
        public policy on embryonic stem cell research]

WHAT:   Availability to discuss the impact of the impending action by
        President-Elect Obama to allow federal funding of research using
        additional embryonic stem cell lines.

WHEN:   November 24 - (Ongoing)

Transplantation of bone marrow stem cells are a proven standard medical treatment to restore the function of blood cells for many thousands of patients worldwide who suffer from leukemia, solid tumor cancers, sickle cell anemia and other diseases and conditions. Embryonic stem cell therapies may dramatically expand the number of diseases and conditions treatable by cell therapy because they can be turned into any cell in the body at scale, and stored frozen for off the shelf use. The potential applications for these therapies include neurodegenerative diseases like spinal cord injury, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease, cancer, heart failure, diabetes, arthritis, osteoporosis, liver failure and many more.

BIO and its member companies believe that encouraging all promising forms of stem cell research will help us discover new treatments and cures for humanity's most devastating illnesses and conditions.