| Mapping Stem Cell Research: Terra Incognita |
|
Product Details
This fascinating documentary tells the story of Dr. Jack Kessler, the current chair of Northwestern University s Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurological Sciences, and his daughter, Allison.
When Kessler was invited to head up the Neurology department at Northwestern, his focus was on using stem cells to help cure diabetes. However, after Allison was paralyzed from the waist down in a skiing accident, he changed the focus of his research to look for a cure for spinal cord injuries using embryonic stem cells.
The film follows the constantly evolving interplay between the promise of new discoveries, the controversy of modern science, and the courage of people who live with devastating disease and injury.
Product Reviews
 (5 stars) - research approach, situated between concrete data taking techniques and methodologic paradigms
This film is a partial case studying stem cells--as defined by: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Case_study We get to learn about stem cells mainly from the perspectives of the protagonists--the Kesslers: teenage daughter coping with spinal cord injury, and father practicing research medicine in the filed of stem cells. Additionally, the viewer gets snapshots of another Kessler-like family, and the political and ethical/moral/religious environments surrounding stem cells. In the end, there is no conclusion other than the fact that stem cells are conceptually situated in an axiomatic lock-up. I, for one, hope the Kesslers will prevail in their quest--both at personal and medical/research levels. As for the society, it will have to do what societies do.
The film(/viewer?) itself could probably be better served by a better title, or explanation, managing the expectations of the audience. If you come to the film accepting that it's an open ended and partial conversation about stem cells then this is a 5-star production. Otherwise, adjust accordingly.
 (4 stars) - A Remarkable Documentary on an Often Misunderstood Area of Research
As founding editor of the online magazine, ReadTheSpirit, one of our founding principles is that our search for Truth must take us into unexpected territory -- and that one of our deepest spiritual concerns must be for the lives of people living around us. My strong recommendation of this new documentary is based on those two principles.
On balance, the film takes a pro-research point of view -- and it's part of the intelligent dialogue we are called to have with the world, as people of faith. The people you'll meet in this film have strong moral and spiritual principles at work in their lives, as well, even if their individual spiritual paths may not coincide with our own.
What's more, you'll almost certainly come away from this documentary learning something new about the nature of this scientific research. The film charts an intriguing series of experiments at Northwestern University that suggest stem cells may hold potential in healing spinal-cord injuries. Watch for yourself and you'll see the work spelled out -- as well as the research's limitations.
You'll certainly meet some fascinating people who've agreed to vulnerably and honestly share their life stories with us. Unless you've a heart of stone -- and few of us do -- you'll warm immediately to the stories of two young women with spinal-cord injuries who open their lives to us in the film. These are bright, funny, multi-talented women who you'll enjoy meeting. And, it's important that we do meet folks like this, because this issue ultimately is about human life.
I appreciate that the producers and the central scientist in the film, Dr. Jack Kessler, insisted on opening up issues of religious belief throughout the 83-minute documentary. Now, you may take issue with the way Kessler and a colleague at Northwestern sketch out religious points of view. There's an eloquent Catholic ethicist who appears in the film, as well -- and you may agree or disagree with him as you watch this movie.
That's precisely why the film is a great choice for small groups. Buy a copy and watch it with your Bible study group, your weekly prayer group, your monthly discussion circle. You'll have plenty to talk about when this film ends.
Popular Searches in DVD videos de musica, wayne brothers movies, girl uncensored, kids sing along video, wayne brothers, mary kate and ashley, taboo charming mother, power rangers, dvd, unrated horror movies, granny video, dragonball dvd box sets, barney video, farscape dvd, bill gaither homecoming, pokemon, teletubbies video, lucky number slevin, video xxl, strawberry shortcake, More |
