George Daley, ISSCR's President Elect

Earlier this year, the ISSCR's incoming president, George Daley (Figure 1Figure 1), took time out of his packed schedule to talk about his plans for the society for the coming year and his views on the current status of stem cell research. Daley's offices and laboratory are on the seventh floor of the Karp Family Research Building, a spectacular modern addition to Children's Hospital in Boston. He is an associate professor of biological chemistry and molecular pharmacology at Harvard Medical School and an associate professor of pediatrics who sees young patients with a variety of blood diseases on a regular basis. In addition, he serves as the Associate Director of the Stem Cell Research Program at Children's, which is in its third year, and is a founding member of the executive committee of the Harvard Stem Cell Institute.Figure 1George DaleyView Large Image | View Hi-Res Image | Download PowerPoint SlideOn that blustery April day, stem cells were in the news—yet again. That very week the U.S. Senate was due to vote on the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2007, which, if adopted, would permit federal funds to support work on all embryonic stem cell lines in existence, not just those made prior to August 9, 2001. As this article went to press, the bill had passed the Senate by a 63 to 34 vote but seemed likely to fall to a presidential veto. And only the week before, much to the elation of researchers around the world, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office had posted its preliminary intent to revoke three patents that involve the University of Wisconsin and its claim of ownership of ES cells.Daley has thought for some time that two things have kept stem cell science in a straightjacket during recent years, especially in the U.S.: limitations on the funding for ES cell lines and intellectual property rights. In relation to the first, Daley, a scientist who envisions ES cells leading to a revolution in the way we study and treat disease, has worked tirelessly to reverse the Bush administration's restrictions. On the subject of patents, “It's odd and frustrating,” he noted, “that such a fundamental cell type should be owned by a corporate entity.”His stance on both issues corresponds with the ISSCR's respective endorsement of the Senate bill and its policy “of encouraging an unfettered exchange of research materials,” he pointed out. As president of the ISSCR, he will pursue political advocacy only when it dovetails with the society's primary mission of supporting and promoting stem cell research. The ISSCR is “first and foremost a scientific organization,” he emphasized. “If there are political efforts that oppose its mission, we will take the opportunity to educate the public and legislators in locales internationally. But we are fiercely protective of our mission and do not want to be diverted by excessive attention to political issues.”Daley, who chaired the task force for the ISSCR's Guidelines for the Conduct of Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research, hopes they will become the “international gold standard,” and he plans to vigorously promote and solidify those guidelines. The ISSCR's guidelines are unique and different from those of other organizations, he maintained, “in that they were issued from the organization that has come together to represent stem cell scientists worldwide. I think that's very, very important. The guidelines cross national boundaries.” It's an opportune time, as he sees it, for the ISSCR and its guiding principles to assume a global leadership role. With stem cell science at a relatively early stage, “I think many countries are still debating and trying to configure the kind of regulations they're going to put in place,” he noted. “We want to try to stay ahead of the curve, to acknowledge the social context of our work, and to take leadership in self-evaluation, self-regulation, and transparency in the conduct of stem cell science.”The vexing ethical questions that surround stem cells, notes Daley, too often steal the show, when his vision for the ISSCR is largely dedicated to the science—to how to build and fortify stem cell biology and how to put it on track toward a time when cell therapies will find their place within the medical armamentarium. Will embryonic or adult stem cells lead the way? Daley stresses that research into both are imperative for a more informed future. Indeed, both versions of stem cells make the possibilities for treatment all the more tantalizing.As ISSCR president, Daley will continue his predecessors' push to get the ISSCR on a firm financial footing, particularly, he said, “so that we can launch new projects.” One initiative, as set forth in the guidelines, is to establish a database of the world's burgeoning number of ES cell lines and a warehouse for storing them. A common bank and database, Daley feels, would go a long way toward establishing international research standards and encouraging the free exchange of materials. The ISSCR already is working with the International Stem Cell Forum to promote a set of standards for characterizing, banking, and distributing human ES cell lines.To date, a major chunk of the ISSCR's funds has been derived from membership fees, revenues from the annual meeting, and corporate supporters. The incoming president is eager to explore private philanthropy as yet another way of building the organization's revenue base. For advice and support, the society will be putting into place an international advisory council of prominent players who will help “to navigate the many political and cultural issues that impact stem cell research,” he said.In addition, Daley wants to reexamine the society's annual meeting, which has developed into the world's largest stem cell conclave. “I want to make sure that it doesn't become too big and impersonal,” he said. “Regional meetings could extend our reach, and we'll be looking at that idea as well.” Last, but not least, another aim for his presidency will be to strengthen the ISSCR's partnership with this publication, the latest addition to the Cell Press family of journals. As he outlined, “We expect this new journal will serve the needs of our membership by giving us a forum for presenting new programs, policy initiatives, and other vital information for our members.”Daley's optimism about the future of stem cell research is infectious. “The field is tremendously exciting right now,” he said. “We're privileged as scientists to be part of this revolution in biology and medicine, and it's ISSCR's mission to foster the highest standards of scientific exchange to keep the field strong and growing, so that it can ultimately deliver on its promise.”