Mapping Stem Cell Research: Terra Incognita
Description:
Dr. Jack Kessler's mind spun as he raced to his paralyzed teenage daughter's side following a tragic skiing accident. In an attempt to help, the prominent neurologist decided to re-focus his scientific research to try to cure spinal cord injury using stem cells. MAPPING STEM CELL RESEARCH: TERRA INCOGNITA brings the stem cell debate to the forefront and examines the constantly evolving interplay between the promise of new discoveries, the controversy of modern science, and the courage of people living with devastating disease and injury. This documentary puts a human face on stem cell research through the story of a father fully engaged in the scientific process who believes that what he is doing may eventually help thousands of people, and a young woman moving past her traumatic injury. The film unfolds with struggling graduate students, political powers, and families striving to overcome illness.