National Competitiveness in Stem Cell Science
Excerpts from a Speech at the Harvard Stem Cell Leadership Summit on October 13, 2006
(Running time: 11:26)
Joe Fuller describes the implications of the US relinquishing a leadership role in stem cell science. He contrasts the factors that contributed to the biotechnology evolution with those present in the stem cell industry today. On the eve of the biotechnology revolution, "Europeans had all the advantages of leadership, but something happened, it all came apart." The US ultimately became dominant, he argues, because of a marked increase in government research funding, early stage product development funding by venture capitalists, and a surge in alliances between large pharmaceutical companies and emerging biotech companies. The stem cell industry can look for parallels. If the US is going to remain dominant in stem cell research, state governments are going to have to fill the gap of federal and VC funding that is scarce today. Leadership, he believes will be hard won, it lies in part to being highly committed to the organizations mission and to getting others involved.
The complete speech is available on DVD. Please contact Mel Blake to request a copy.
