Posted on Thu, May 12, 2011 : 7:25 a.m.
Top stem cell researcher Sean Morrison leaving University of Michigan
By Cindy Heflin
Sean Morrison
Morrison, the director of the Center for Stem Cell Biology at U-M, helped lead the 2008 campaign that amended the state constitution to allow embryonic stem cell research. Morrison is among several high-profile stem cell researchers to leave U-M in recent years, The News reported.
Morrison testified in September before a Senate panel after a federal judge’s ruling stopped the flow of federal dollars to stem-cell research.
In his new job, Morrison will lead a new pediatric research initiative, The News said.
His wife, Dr. Theodora Ross, a U-M cancer researcher and clinician, will also take a job at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School at the Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, The News reported.
Comments
BhavanaJagat
Fri, May 13, 2011 : 3:53 p.m.
I keep reading these endless stories about Stem Cell Research and the famous names involved and the big money that is given in the name of education and research. I have not seen the media ever asking them a question about what they do in the name of research. Who is this Research Subject? Is the Subject a Conscious entity? Is the Subject aware of its existence in the given environment? If the Subject, the Stem Cell is Conscious or aware of the fact, the state, and the condition of its living functions in the given laboratory environment, what implications; the moral, and ethical implications it would generate about the research on Stem Cells? I have described the Totality of Consciousness; Consciousness is a mental experience, Consciousness is a physical or Body experience, Consciousness is a Social experience, Consciousness is a Moral experience, Consciousness is a Spiritual experience, Consciousness is a Sensory experience, and Consciousness is a Cellular experience. We are conducting research without establishing the fact of Consciousness that exists as a Cellular experience. <a href="http://bhavanajagat.wordpress.com/2011/03/31/the-science-of-consciousness/" rel='nofollow'>http://bhavanajagat.wordpress.com/2011/03/31/the-science-of-consciousness/</a>
Kai Petainen
Thu, May 12, 2011 : 10:40 p.m.
hey... don't go... i thought you got $50 million??
GoBlue1984
Thu, May 12, 2011 : 4:18 p.m.
As someone with with a close relationship with Dr. Morrison, I can tell you it was about money. Michigan just doesn't have what Texas was willing to pay. With a slash in their funding from good ole' Governor Snyder, Michigan won't have enough to pay any top stem cell researchers to come here. Thanks Governor.
Kai Petainen
Fri, May 13, 2011 : 4:23 a.m.
question. i thought they just got a bunch of $$ for that stuff?
bedrog
Thu, May 12, 2011 : 7:13 p.m.
It may be about the money....but if texas' gov. rick perry ( who makes GWB look like socrates!) gets his way and the state secedes from the U.s. ,what will their currency be worth??
bedrog
Thu, May 12, 2011 : 4:09 p.m.
Given that texas---with the exception of the Austin area---is "fanatic central" on 'social conservative' issues, the best of luck to the good doctor in his new venue. Although ,to it's ideological credit , texas has produced the likes of ann richards and her daughter cecile who's the head of Planned parenthood; bill moyers; dan rather; molly ivens and kinky friedman....also the anti-religious right excellent advocacy group the TEXAS FREEDOM NETWORK. And LBJ looks better and better in the rearview mirror if you can get past the vietnam thing which he didnt actually start.
David Briegel
Thu, May 12, 2011 : 3:34 p.m.
Joe, I truly believe that "life" begins at arousal and erection. All believers are gonna have a lot of 'splainin' to do at those pearly gates!
Edward R Murrow's Ghost
Thu, May 12, 2011 : 2:51 p.m.
"Shockingly the people of Texas (Texas?!) know better than we in MI that you need to invest in, not cut, education and research funding." Actually, not so much. In order to close a $32 billion budget deficit, the Texas legislature slashed funding to K-12 and to its university system, to include ordering the closure of several community colleges. Such is Texas's commitment to education. Good Night and Good Luck
Andy
Thu, May 12, 2011 : 3:22 p.m.
Fair enough, but this was one voter initiative example that I doubt would've passed in MI recently. Their legislature is, as you noted, likely loonier than ours.
Andy
Thu, May 12, 2011 : 2:34 p.m.
I don't blame these guys for leaving. MI voters gave power to Republicans who are determined to slash education funding so they can give businesses huge tax cuts. This is just the labor market at work. Shockingly the people of Texas (Texas?!) know better than we in MI that you need to invest in, not cut, education and research funding. From DetNews: "He was recruited with grant funding from the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas, funded by a 2007 taxpayer-approved initiative to pump $3 billion into cancer research in the state over 10 years."
Doug
Sat, May 14, 2011 : 2:18 a.m.
Did you ever think maybe if the U of M put more money into medical research and less in athletics that we wouldn't lose so many top researchers?
A2K
Thu, May 12, 2011 : 1:43 p.m.
Best of luck, and thank you for fighting the good fight against the superstitious-loons who are anti-science/anti-progress.
Joe Hood
Thu, May 12, 2011 : 12:34 p.m.
Thank you for clarifying which type of stem cells we're talking about. I'm all in favor of stem cell research, as long as no one is sacrificed in the process (embyonic stem cell extraction is detrimental to one's life). This departure is indicative of what the real issue is, money. Embryonic stem cell research is hyped in such a way that this is going to make eternal life possible. Sounds dreamy. Got Parkinsons, this research will fix that. Have an ailment that somehow inhibits one from living the fullest life, well just around the corner is the fix. Civilizations have offered human sacrifices from the beginning, why should we be any different.
David Briegel
Thu, May 12, 2011 : 4:10 p.m.
Human Sacrifice?? Seriously? If you believe that you should be protesting in front of every clinic and reproductive health facility that currently disposes of this medical waste by flushing it down the toilet!
JD
Thu, May 12, 2011 : 2:46 p.m.
Yeah, you're probably right. All those embryos left over from IVF should be in the garbage where they belong instead of being used to advance medicine. We're not talking about 5 month old fetuses here, we're talking about undifferentiated cells (which is why we want them). People are never going to agree on where life begins but embryos are already being sacrificed when couples seeking IVF create more embryos than they intend to use. Take it up with them.
Joe Hood
Thu, May 12, 2011 : 2:28 p.m.
When does a person become a person?
Andy
Thu, May 12, 2011 : 1:14 p.m.
"as long as no one is sacrificed in the process". This is only the case if you embrace religious dogma. An embryo is not a person.
nemo
Thu, May 12, 2011 : 12:10 p.m.
This is what happens when ideologues and theocrats rule.