About the Book: “This is a one-of-a-kind book: combining easy-to-understand science, in-the-trenches political warfare, and inspirational stories. It aims to give hope to individuals and families who suffer from chronic disease or disability; to point out how ordinary people can make an extraordinary difference in the battle to ease suffering and save lives through supporting medical research; to share in "people talk" some of the amazing progress already achieved in the new field of stem cell research; to show how even such a magnificent success as the California stem cell program is under constant attack from ideological groups; to offer medical research as a force for international cooperation; to suggest how cure research lessens the need for the mountainous costs of endless care.
Unparalleled background: the author has been involved in virtually every important stem cell battle (state, national, and international) since embryonic stem cell research began. The author works closely with Robert N. Klein, sponsor of the California stem cell program, the largest source of such stem cell research funding in the world. In addition, the author is an award-winning teacher as well as writer, and seeks to entertain as well as educate. His book is not only substantive, but also fun.
The book would be a treasured gift: for anyone suffering an "incurable" illness or who is a caregiver for a loved one; for a college student considering a rewarding career in biomedicine; for scientists who want to protect and enhance their research funding; and for anyone who wants to see government respond to the needs of its citizenry. Chronic disease and disability are a prison: cure is the triumphant escape — wheelchairs should be for temporary occupancy only.
Readership: General readers, caregivers of someone with chronic disease, patient advocates, students in biomedical science, policy makers in government, stem cell researchers.”
Paperback: 432 pages
Publisher: World Scientific Publishing Co; 1 edition (October 27, 2015)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 9814618276
ISBN-13: 978-9814618274
Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 7.5 x 0.8 inches
About the Author: Don C. Reed has been called the "Grandfather of Stem Cell Research Advocacy", for his decades of commitment, beginning with his citizen sponsorship of California's Roman Reed Spinal Cord Injury Research Act of 1999, named after his paralyzed son. "Roman's Law" raised $17 million in state funding, while attracting an additional $85 million from the National Institutes of Health and other sources. Don was grassroots organizer for America's first pro- stem cell research legislation, Senate Bill 253 (Ortiz) and others.
Don Reed served on the Board of Directors for Proposition 71, the citizens' initiative which led to the $3 billion California stem cell agency, and has supported it vigorously ever since. As David Jensen of the CALIFORNIA STEM CELL REPORT remarked, "Don has probably attended more meetings of the CIRM than anyone else, including staff".
Reed has been involved with state, national, and international efforts to preserve scientific freedom: opposing the Bush Administration's attempt to ban advanced stem cell research via the United Nations; supporting the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Acts of 2003 and 2007, twice passed by Congress and the Senate, but vetoed by former President George W. Bush; supporting the successful Missouri's Stem Cell Research Amendment 2, and Michigan's Proposal 2. Don's testimony for the Kennedy Committee on stem cell research is recorded in the Congressional Record, and he took great joy in cheering for Barack Obama, as the President signed the reversal of the onerous Bush restrictions.
Author of the forthcoming book, *STEM CELL BATTLES: Proposition 71 and Beyond*, from World Scientific Publishing, Inc., Reed is a prolific writer, with roughly 200 articles published by the Huffington Post alone. He has written five books and numerous magazine articles for such publications as THE LANCET.
Reed has won numerous awards for his advocacy efforts, and has served on the Board of Americans for Cures Foundation and its predecessors since startup.
MY REVIEW: If you are looking for a book that advocates for stem cell research, this is it. If you are looking for a book that fairly discusses both sides of the argument in a “for or against” debate, this is not it. The author is a strong advocate for stem cell use and it is clear throughout the book that this is the case. The book is full of stories of people living with chronic illnesses that will definitely tug at the heart strings. There are color pictures throughout as well, which add to the heart-string tug. For anyone who is wanting to know more about Proposition 71, I would highly recommend this book. It is in language easy enough for a non-scientist to understand, and is full of examples of the chronic diseases and injuries that are debilitating many people that stem cell research could possibly help. Stem cell research is being done in California, and this book talks of the progress that has been made in peoples’ lives already. The book also discusses the “ideological groups” that continue to attack stem cell research, i.e. religious groups.
I give it a 4 Star rating only because I feel it didn’t take into a fair consideration the “ideological groups’” viewpoints or feelings on this matter, but rather attacked them as being wrong or even ignorant. If the point is to win over those who oppose it, I don’t think attacking them and putting them on the defensive is going to help change their mind. Other than that one small issue I have with it, the rest of the book is superb and highly informative.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Unparalleled background: the author has been involved in virtually every important stem cell battle (state, national, and international) since embryonic stem cell research began. The author works closely with Robert N. Klein, sponsor of the California stem cell program, the largest source of such stem cell research funding in the world. In addition, the author is an award-winning teacher as well as writer, and seeks to entertain as well as educate. His book is not only substantive, but also fun.
The book would be a treasured gift: for anyone suffering an "incurable" illness or who is a caregiver for a loved one; for a college student considering a rewarding career in biomedicine; for scientists who want to protect and enhance their research funding; and for anyone who wants to see government respond to the needs of its citizenry. Chronic disease and disability are a prison: cure is the triumphant escape — wheelchairs should be for temporary occupancy only.
Readership: General readers, caregivers of someone with chronic disease, patient advocates, students in biomedical science, policy makers in government, stem cell researchers.”
Paperback: 432 pages
Publisher: World Scientific Publishing Co; 1 edition (October 27, 2015)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 9814618276
ISBN-13: 978-9814618274
Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 7.5 x 0.8 inches
About the Author: Don C. Reed has been called the "Grandfather of Stem Cell Research Advocacy", for his decades of commitment, beginning with his citizen sponsorship of California's Roman Reed Spinal Cord Injury Research Act of 1999, named after his paralyzed son. "Roman's Law" raised $17 million in state funding, while attracting an additional $85 million from the National Institutes of Health and other sources. Don was grassroots organizer for America's first pro- stem cell research legislation, Senate Bill 253 (Ortiz) and others.
Don Reed served on the Board of Directors for Proposition 71, the citizens' initiative which led to the $3 billion California stem cell agency, and has supported it vigorously ever since. As David Jensen of the CALIFORNIA STEM CELL REPORT remarked, "Don has probably attended more meetings of the CIRM than anyone else, including staff".
Reed has been involved with state, national, and international efforts to preserve scientific freedom: opposing the Bush Administration's attempt to ban advanced stem cell research via the United Nations; supporting the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Acts of 2003 and 2007, twice passed by Congress and the Senate, but vetoed by former President George W. Bush; supporting the successful Missouri's Stem Cell Research Amendment 2, and Michigan's Proposal 2. Don's testimony for the Kennedy Committee on stem cell research is recorded in the Congressional Record, and he took great joy in cheering for Barack Obama, as the President signed the reversal of the onerous Bush restrictions.
Author of the forthcoming book, *STEM CELL BATTLES: Proposition 71 and Beyond*, from World Scientific Publishing, Inc., Reed is a prolific writer, with roughly 200 articles published by the Huffington Post alone. He has written five books and numerous magazine articles for such publications as THE LANCET.
Reed has won numerous awards for his advocacy efforts, and has served on the Board of Americans for Cures Foundation and its predecessors since startup.
MY REVIEW: If you are looking for a book that advocates for stem cell research, this is it. If you are looking for a book that fairly discusses both sides of the argument in a “for or against” debate, this is not it. The author is a strong advocate for stem cell use and it is clear throughout the book that this is the case. The book is full of stories of people living with chronic illnesses that will definitely tug at the heart strings. There are color pictures throughout as well, which add to the heart-string tug. For anyone who is wanting to know more about Proposition 71, I would highly recommend this book. It is in language easy enough for a non-scientist to understand, and is full of examples of the chronic diseases and injuries that are debilitating many people that stem cell research could possibly help. Stem cell research is being done in California, and this book talks of the progress that has been made in peoples’ lives already. The book also discusses the “ideological groups” that continue to attack stem cell research, i.e. religious groups.
I give it a 4 Star rating only because I feel it didn’t take into a fair consideration the “ideological groups’” viewpoints or feelings on this matter, but rather attacked them as being wrong or even ignorant. If the point is to win over those who oppose it, I don’t think attacking them and putting them on the defensive is going to help change their mind. Other than that one small issue I have with it, the rest of the book is superb and highly informative.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
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