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Stem Cell Wars: Inside Stories from the Frontlines
Americans have become the victims of misinformation about stem cell research. Over the last few years, the stem cell debate has been intensely political, religious, and confusing to many people. Now, Eve Herold explains what this science is all about, who is for and against it, and why it must go forward. She pulls together fascinating stories to highlight every aspect of this multifaceted field. She exposes the politics of stem cell research and demonstrates how the outcome of the debate could ultimately affect all of us. Packed with real-life stories of the people caught up in this groundbreaking struggle, Stem Cell Wars cuts through the noise and sets the standard for future debate.
256 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2006
About the author
Eve Herold
6 books30 followersEve Herold has had a lifelong fascination with issues at the intersection of science, ethics and society. She has written and spoken extensively about the transformative power of cutting-edge science and medicine. Driven by an insatiable curiosity about what lies ahead for the human race, Eve’s work crosses categories, exploring issues in biology and medicine, bioethics, social issues, end-of-life matters, aging and human-technology interaction. Always at the center of her writings are real men and women seeking to navigate a world that is changing at lightning speed.
Eve has had a long career in science communications. She is past director of the Office of Communications and Public Affairs at the American Psychiatric Association and has served as Director of Pubic Policy Research and Education at the Genetics Policy Institute. Other positions include Public Education director at the Stem Cell Research Foundation, a nonprofit organization promoting biomedical research and education. She is also the former managing editor of The Gerontologist, a scholarly journal that explores the many facets of aging and its impact on society.
Eve has written and spoken extensively about the emerging field of stem cell research, publishing the book Stem Cell Wars: Inside Stories from the Front Lines in 2006. The book won a commendation in popular medicine from the British Medical Association. Her writings have appeared in newspapers and magazines nationwide. She has written several publications on Alzheimer’s disease and other age-related and degenerative diseases and their impact on patients, families, caregivers and society. Her book, Stem Cell Wars, has been included in the syllabus in a class on science communications at the University of California at Berkeley, and she is a contributor to the Springer International Encyclopedia of Sciences and Religions. Her new book, Beyond Human: How Cutting-Edge Science is Extending Our Lives, has been nominated for a Kirkus Prize in Nonfiction. The book will be released in August 2016.
Eve lives in the Washington, DC area, is married and has a cat named Cosmo.
Eve has had a long career in science communications. She is past director of the Office of Communications and Public Affairs at the American Psychiatric Association and has served as Director of Pubic Policy Research and Education at the Genetics Policy Institute. Other positions include Public Education director at the Stem Cell Research Foundation, a nonprofit organization promoting biomedical research and education. She is also the former managing editor of The Gerontologist, a scholarly journal that explores the many facets of aging and its impact on society.
Eve has written and spoken extensively about the emerging field of stem cell research, publishing the book Stem Cell Wars: Inside Stories from the Front Lines in 2006. The book won a commendation in popular medicine from the British Medical Association. Her writings have appeared in newspapers and magazines nationwide. She has written several publications on Alzheimer’s disease and other age-related and degenerative diseases and their impact on patients, families, caregivers and society. Her book, Stem Cell Wars, has been included in the syllabus in a class on science communications at the University of California at Berkeley, and she is a contributor to the Springer International Encyclopedia of Sciences and Religions. Her new book, Beyond Human: How Cutting-Edge Science is Extending Our Lives, has been nominated for a Kirkus Prize in Nonfiction. The book will be released in August 2016.
Eve lives in the Washington, DC area, is married and has a cat named Cosmo.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
March 22, 2017
This book is a bit dated, but still an excellent primer on stem cell research and the battle against it.
It covers at a layperson level the basics of stem cells—what they are, where they come from and what is being done with them. You'll get the essential scientific terms and distinctions that must be understood to discuss the topic, but it's not dry science. Sections read like dramas—e.g. Bernie Siegel's battle against the 2003 UN treaty (by Costa Rica) to ban all cloning, therapeutic or otherwise.
Stem Cell Wars isn't written to be a refutation of the arguments against stem cell research, but it does overview some of the opposing arguments, pointing out some errors and inconsistencies. The book is more about what the research is about, where it can go, and who is fighting it. You get just a peek into the antics and fears of the anti-stem cell lobby—hilarious and frightening at the same time.
It's a short read. Recommended.
I think I would have enjoyed Kira Peikoff's Living Proof much more had I read this book first. Her social and political setting would have seemed much more probable.
It covers at a layperson level the basics of stem cells—what they are, where they come from and what is being done with them. You'll get the essential scientific terms and distinctions that must be understood to discuss the topic, but it's not dry science. Sections read like dramas—e.g. Bernie Siegel's battle against the 2003 UN treaty (by Costa Rica) to ban all cloning, therapeutic or otherwise.
Stem Cell Wars isn't written to be a refutation of the arguments against stem cell research, but it does overview some of the opposing arguments, pointing out some errors and inconsistencies. The book is more about what the research is about, where it can go, and who is fighting it. You get just a peek into the antics and fears of the anti-stem cell lobby—hilarious and frightening at the same time.
It's a short read. Recommended.
I think I would have enjoyed Kira Peikoff's Living Proof much more had I read this book first. Her social and political setting would have seemed much more probable.
April 24, 2008
As a Type I Diabetic I am very interested in stem cell research, as this research holds the key to cring diabetes. This book provided me with great accessable and in-depth knowledge about the political, moral, and scientific issues related to stem cell research. This book made me even more passionate about stem cell research and better able to discuss with other people the pros and cons of such resaerch.
August 7, 2007
This is nothing groundbreaking but Harold does nicely and eloquently advance several strong arguments in support of stem cell research without being repetitive. Fairly low-tech and easy to understand, this book is a solid primer into a much-needed debate. There is not, as the title would suggest, a wealth of "inside stories"; most of the information presented here is already public knowledge.
July 16, 2007
Very informative book (if a bit biased) on stem cells and the current debate in the US about whether or not to allow research on it. As a scientist, this book was sort of "preaching to the choir" for me, but it gave an interesting overview of the background and history of how the war over stem cell research came to be.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews