SCIENCE, POLITICS, STEM CELLS AND GENES

An eye-opening look at what it takes to make progress in the fields of health care and science.

Educator and advocate Reed outlines the many challenges stem cell research faces despite the myriad benefits it provides. In a brief summary of his previous three books, Reed explains that California voters approved a 2004 proposition that pledged $3 billion for stem cell research and created the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine. When that funding recently expired, a new proposition was put on the ballot (Proposition 14: The California Stem Cell Research, Treatments and Cures Initiative of 2020)—this time requesting $5.5 billion. Reed not only explores his own efforts to get the initiative on the ballot and passed, but also outlines religious objections, testimonies from those with chronic disease, the GOP’s efforts at voter suppression, and more. Reed’s personal experiences, however, are the most moving: His son, Roman, broke his neck during a college football game and was paralyzed. The author’s call for continued stem cell research as a way to cure paralysis (among many other ailments) is affecting: “Every morning I get up around 2:30, and write for a couple hours about stem cell research. I write seven days a week and do not recognize holidays. People who work miserable jobs should absolutely have holidays—but I am happy with my job, so why would I want days off?” The dry subject matter is often broken up with conversational anecdotes and analogies, like the “friendly gorilla” (“The right to vote, and the citizens’ initiative—these are powers on our side, like a friendly gorilla—and we must not let them be taken away”). This is a valuable resource for anyone interested in learning about the intricate dance between science and politics.

A dense but fascinating read about the rocky road to medical advancement.