Final Report Summary - EUROCITS (Europe, its citizens and stem cell research: a one-day conference)
The project EUROCITS was a patient orientated conference providing contemporary scientific information on the research on and therapeutic potential of stem cells technologies in severe medical disorders. Its goal was to initiate and promote a meaningful dialogue on stem cell research between science and society as the understanding of European patients on the topics of stem cell research and its potential may be limited. In general there is a need for the broader societal perspective to be considered so as to contribute to discussion relating to research as well as broader socio-cultural issues in order to contribute to an informed, balanced debate.
For the first time, patients from throughout the European Research Area (ERA) participated with other constituencies and discussed many of the issues and challenges relating to stem cell research and its therapeutic application. There was a particular focus on the impact of research on patients and their needs, whose views were actively sought. Patients were provided with sufficient background material and had considerable opportunity to pose questions to and engage with experts in the field. EFNA, the European Federation of Neurological Associations, acted as the lead organiser, in close partnership with DMA Media, a televisual content management company.
Patients suffering from a wide range of disorders, their carers, scientists, health professionals, ethicists, politicians and the media took part in this event, which used lay language and was held in Brussels, with free registration. The working language was English, with simultaneous translation. The newly-integrated EU countries were also encouraged to actively participate. Media channels disseminated the conference proceedings as part of a media communication strategy. A number of tools such as key pad voting were used in order to draw the patients directly into debate, chaired by a professional facilitator. The event was judged a great success, and gave an exciting example of how to bring science closer to society. The patient' views on such a sensitive issue, expressed in lively, but serious debate and through the results of the extensive survey, have the authority to inform future discussions and help guide the scientific and political decision making process.
For the first time, patients from throughout the European Research Area (ERA) participated with other constituencies and discussed many of the issues and challenges relating to stem cell research and its therapeutic application. There was a particular focus on the impact of research on patients and their needs, whose views were actively sought. Patients were provided with sufficient background material and had considerable opportunity to pose questions to and engage with experts in the field. EFNA, the European Federation of Neurological Associations, acted as the lead organiser, in close partnership with DMA Media, a televisual content management company.
Patients suffering from a wide range of disorders, their carers, scientists, health professionals, ethicists, politicians and the media took part in this event, which used lay language and was held in Brussels, with free registration. The working language was English, with simultaneous translation. The newly-integrated EU countries were also encouraged to actively participate. Media channels disseminated the conference proceedings as part of a media communication strategy. A number of tools such as key pad voting were used in order to draw the patients directly into debate, chaired by a professional facilitator. The event was judged a great success, and gave an exciting example of how to bring science closer to society. The patient' views on such a sensitive issue, expressed in lively, but serious debate and through the results of the extensive survey, have the authority to inform future discussions and help guide the scientific and political decision making process.
