A recent hot topic in the news, stem cell research was also the subject for last night's 2002 Conversation at Kern Series.

The Graduate School hosted the first session of the series in 101 Chambers yesterday.

Steven W. Levison led the get-together with his speech titled, "Stem Cells and Cell Replacement Therapy: Prospects, Pitfalls and Politics."

Levison is an associate professor of neuroscience and anatomy, and a leading scientist in the stem cell research effort at the Penn State College of Medicine at the Hershey Medical Center.

The topic, as introduced by Marilyn Engle, Director of Alumni and Public Relations, focused on mammalian stem cell biology, including the prospects and pitfalls of embryonic and adult stem cells for replacement therapy.

"Talking about stem cells is probably one of the most daunting areas of science to talk about, because it's hard to define a 'stem cell.' "

Levison began with a presentation of the topic. He used a set of overheads to engage his diverse audience of undergraduate and graduate students in an introduction of the specific field of embryonic stem cells. He discussed the basic science behind stem cell research and mentioned its complexity as the basis for much controversy.

He later said that he should have started out instead by saying, "I'm a scientist. I was trained as a neuroscientist. I am not an ethicist and I am in no way able to make ethical declarations. I'm reluctant to get into a bio-ethics discussion."

This came as somewhat of a disappointment to Michael Grant (graduate-biobehavioral health). He said that he liked the open format, and for what Levison wanted to accomplish, it was fine. "However, I am particularly interested in the ethics part of the issue, but understand where he is coming from in avoiding the subject," he said.

After Levison presented the facts, the lights in the nearly full auditorium came up. He then opened the field to questions from the audience.

The audience was very eager to ask questions on a range of issues concerning the subject.

All of which Levison addressed thoroughly, making sure he was able to relate his answers to his diverse audience.

Steven Lin (freshman-elementary education) said that he didn't have any substantial prior knowledge of the subject, other than what he heard on the news. "I knew there was a big debate, but I wasn't sure exactly what it was all about. After tonight, I think that it definitely gave me more insight and made me more interested."

Since it is such a complicated subject to most non-science people, Levison selected the topic because it's very much related to what is happening in the news. He said, "After tonight I hope that you realize that you know more about stem cells than you thought."

"For what he wanted to accomplish, I thought it was great. I am very glad that we are so lucky to have him as a part of the Penn State family," Grant said.