The Cast
"The Accidental Advocate" features perspectives from politicians, theologians, stem cell advocates, scientists, as well as Claude Gerstle's family.
The Scientists
James Thomson, PhD.
John D. MacArthur Professor,
University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health
Dr. Thomson directed the group that reported the first isolation of embryonic stem cell lines from a non-human primate in 1995, work that led his group to the first successful isolation of human embryonic stem cell lines in 1998.
Irving Weissman, PhD.
Director, Institute of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine at the Stanford University School of Medicine
Dr. Thomson directed the group that reported the first isolation of embryonic stem cell lines from a non-human primate in 1995, work that led his group to the first successful isolation of human embryonic stem cell lines in 1998.
Joanne Kurtzberg, M.D.
Chief of Pediatrics / Blood and Marrow Transplantation
Duke University Medical Center
Dr. Kurtzberg pioneered the use of unrelated umbilical cord blood transplants for children with resistant cancers and rare metabolic diseases.
Douglas Melton, PhD.
Professor of Natural Science, Harvard University
Co-Director, Harvard Stem Cell Institute
George Daley, M.D., PhD.
President-Elect, International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR), Associate Professor of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology and of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital Boston, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute,
Harvard Stem Cell Institute
Hans Keirstead, PhD.
Associate Professor of Anatomy and Neurobiology
University of California, Irvine
Associate Professor,
Reed-Irvine Spinal Cord Injury Research Center
Dr. Keirstead's lab was the first in North America to garner federally-approved embryonic stem cells for spinal cord research and is currently developing a cell transplantation therapy for clinical trials.
Jeffrey Jones, PhD
Director, Derivation Laboratory at the WiCell Research Institute; Associate Professor, Department of Ob/Gyn at the University of Wisconsin-Madison
Kevin Eggan, PhD
Assistant Professor of Molecular and Cellular Biology,
Harvard University
Dr. Eggan leads a research group investigating mechanisms regulating epigenetic reprogramming after SCNT and using nuclear transfer techniques to derive disease specific stem cell lines from diabetic and Parkinson's patients.
Wise Young, M.D., PhD
Chair, Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience,
Rutgers University
Dr. Young is a world-renowned neuroscientist and spinal cord injury researcher, and has carried his strong advocacy for stem cell research to patients, politicians, and into the halls of Congress.
The Politicians
In 2001 President Bush restricted federally funded embryonic stem cell studies because the process requires the destruction of human embryos. He most recently vetoed the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2007 that passed the Senate in a vote of 63-34.
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (R-CA)
In 2004 Governor Schwarzenegger endorsed Proposition 71, which authorized the creation of a state institute that would award grants to stem cell researchers as a way to overcome the White House ban on the use of federal funds for nearly all embryonic stem cell research.
Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY)
Children, families and health care are among Senator Clinton's top legislative priorities, and she has been a vocal supporter of embryonic stem cell research.
Senator Brownback led the opposition to the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act, and believes embryonic stem cell research is morally wrong.
Senator Coburn opposes embryonic stem cell research and believes it is morally wrong.
Senator Kennedy is a great proponent of stem cell research, and believes in the extraordinary potential for progress in this century of the life sciences, including advances in stem cell research and biotechnology that can revolutionize the way in which we treat cancer and other diseases.
Senator Harkin sponsored the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2007 which would have lifted restrictions on stem cell research.
Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA)
Senator Feinstein is a passionate proponent of expanding embryonic stem cell research, and has created a petition to allow for more embryonic stem cell lines to be used for research.
Representative Diana DeGette (D-CO)
Representative DeGette is a proponent of embryonic stem cell research, and was a sponsor of the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act.
Senator Kerry opposes the President's policies on embryonic stem cell research, and hopes to increase federal funding in the future
Bill Frist (Ret. R-TN)
Former Senate Majority Leader
Frist was the first practicing physician to be elected to the Senate in over 65 years. In 2005, he reversed his own position and broke with President Bush to support loosening federal restrictions on embryonic stem cell research.
The Ethicists and Theologians
Reverend Tadeusz Pacholczyk, Ph.D
Director of Education,
The National Catholic Bioethics Center
Imam Abdulaziz Sachedina
Professor of Religious Studies,
University of Virginia
Rabbi Michael Broyde
Professor of Law
and Academic Director of Law and Religion Program,
Emory University
Reverend Dr. William J. Danaher, Jr.
Associate Professor of Christian Ethics and Moral Theology,
The General Theological Seminary
R. Alta Charo
Professor of Law and Bioethics,
University of Wisconsin, Madison
The Advocates
Robert Klein
Stem Cell Research Advocate
Klein was a chief author of Proposition 71 and was the chair of the Yes on 71 campaign.
Wick was a co-chair of Proposition 71, and he is on the board of the Alliance of Stem Cell Research and is co-founder of CuresNow, an organization that promotes regenerative medicine and stem cell research. Fisher was a co-chair of Proposition 71, and is a co-founder of CuresNow, an organization that promotes regenerative medicine and stem cell research.
Michelle Mundt
Stem Cell Research Advocate
Dr. David A. Prentice
Senior Fellow for Life Sciences, Family Research Council
Prentice is a founding Member of Do No Harm: The Coalition of Americans for Research Ethics.
