In previous years, the regulation of stem cell research has been a politically controversial topic. However the change from the Bush to the Obama administration presented potentially substantial changes in the regulatory environment for stem cell research, with far reaching implications for the important though controversial technology. Petrie-Flom convened a group of leading scholars and practitioners who discussed the challenges and potential opportunities a new regulatory outlook could imply. Panelists included:

• Brock Reeve, the Executive Director of the Harvard Stem Cell Institute (HSCI)
• M. William Lensch, a researcher and faculty member of HSCI
• Patrick Taylor, General Counsel of Children’s Hospital Boston
• Pearl O’Rourke, Director of Human Research Affairs at Partners HealthCare System were the panelists at this event.

The event was moderated by Petrie-Flom Faculty co-Director I. Glenn Cohen.