The National Academies' Research Council and the Institute of Medicine today announced the formation of the Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research Advisory Committee and its members. John Wagner, M.D., University of Minnesota professor of pediatrics, was one of 14 named to the committee, pending final approval through the 20-day public comment period on the committee composition.
The committee is charged with monitoring and reviewing the ethical, legal, and policy issues related to human embryonic stem cell research and providing guidance on any needed revisions to the Guidelines for Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research. Public symposia will be part of the committee's review of the latest developments in human embryo stem cell science.
Wagner is also the director of the University's division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplantation and Scientific Director of Clinical Research of the Stem Cell Institute. Dr. Wagner sees patients at UMPhysicians' Blood Marrow and Transplant Clinic.
Wagner pioneered the use of embryo selection to identify a perfect tissue-matched stem cell donor in the treatment of genetic disease, a case that received international attention in fall 2000. Among other responsibilities, Wagner serves on the Scientific Board of Directors of the National Marrow Donor Program and is a member of the Scientific and Medical Accountability Standards Working Group of the California Institute of Regenerative Medicine. He recently served as a member of the Institute of Medicine's Committee on "Establishing a National Cord Blood Stem Cell Banking Program."
