Stem Cell Network Expert Dr. Bartha Maria Knoppers to Accept the Esteemed 2020 Till & McCulloch Award

September 15, 2020 (OTTAWA, ON) – Bartha Maria Knoppers, O.C, O.Q, PhD, Professor and Director of the Centre of Genomics and Policy at McGill University has been named the 2020 Till & McCulloch Award recipient for her exceptional ethical, legal and social implications paper in Science entitled, Biotechnologies nibbling at the legal “human.”

Recent bioscience advances in the field of stem cells and regenerative medicine, such as the creation of synthetic human entities with embryo-like features (SHEEFs) and human-animal chimeras, are challenging the legal definition of what is classified as ‘human.’ Ambiguity concerning the definition of ‘human’ increases the probability that the important insights and clinical or commercial applications these technologies could provide will be delayed or frustrated as society wrangles with the serious ethical issues they raise. In this paper, Dr. Knoppers, and her co-author Dr. Henry Greely, describe how the concept of “human” is defined within law and illustrate how the criteria that have been proposed for defining “human” can be confounded by emerging bioscience technologies. The article proposes using the term “substantially human” as a pragmatic solution to determine how human legal rights and definitions could be applied against the backdrop of new technologies. Dr. Knoppers’ work establishes a path that will assist scientists, clinicians and policy-makers as they work to address new technologies that are arising out of the cell and gene therapy field.

Dr. Knoppers will accept her award and present a lecture on October 28 at the Till & McCulloch Meetings (TMM), taking place virtually for the first time this year. Following the notification of her award, Dr. Knoppers stated, “I am thrilled to be presented with the 2020 Till & McCulloch Award and honoured to join a group of distinguished past recipients. This award is one of Canada’s highest honours in the field of stem cell and regenerative medicine and I appreciate the inclusive spirit of the award which recognizes the broad nature of academics working in this space, from basic science to those working in public policy.”

“The yearly selection for a Till & McCulloch Award awardee is challenging as we have many talented researchers in the stem cell and regenerative medicine sector across Canada,” said Dr. Michael Rudnicki, CEO and Scientific Director, Stem Cell Network. “Bartha Maria Knoppers is extremely deserving of the 2020 Till & McCulloch Award and we are delighted to have her join such an esteemed group of winners.”

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About the Till & McCulloch Meetings
The Till & McCulloch Meetings are Canada’s premiere stem cell research and regenerative medicine conference, attracting attendees across the nation and internationally since 2012. The conference brings together world-class scientists, post-graduate students, industry experts and legal scholars who will share the latest research advances and techniques in the field. To register or learn more about the conference click here.

About the Till & McCulloch Award
The Till & McCulloch Award, established in 2005, was created in honour of Canadian scientists and stem cell pioneers Drs. James Till and Ernest McCulloch. The Award is presented annually to one researcher in Canada who has made an exceptional contribution to global stem cell research in that year. The Till & McCulloch Meetings Program Committee selects the awardee based on what is determined to be the year’s most impactful and influential peer-reviewed article by a Canadian-based stem cell researcher.

About the Stem Cell Network
Tomorrow’s health is here. The Stem Cell Network (SCN) is a national non-profit that supports stem cell and regenerative medicine research, training the next generation of highly qualified personnel, and delivering outreach activities across Canada. SCN’s goal is to advance science from the lab to the clinic for the benefit of Canadians. SCN has been supported by the Government of Canada since inception in 2001. This strategic funding valued at $118M has benefitted approximately 178 world-class research groups and 3,000 trainees and has catalyzed 24 clinical trials. stemcellnetwork.ca

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Janice Nicholson
Director of Communications
613-402-3974
janicholson@stemcellnetwork.ca