David Prentice

David A. Prentice is a world-renowned professor and expert on stem cell research and cloning. An important part of his work is the study of adult stem cells and the processes necessary to change them into various cells and tissues. He is also interested in the protein stathmin (Op 18) and its characteristics, as well as similar proteins. Dr. Prentice's research includes cell distinction, development, growth, and cancer. He is also developing new and innovative ways of using the Internet and websites as teaching tools for science education and bioethics. The National Institutes of Health and USDA fund this research.

Read his personal testimony on stem cell research at this link

Education and Career
Dr. Prentice was the Professor of Life Sciences at Indiana State University from 1984-2004. While there he taught many different classes including, but not limited to, embryology, science and politics, medical genetics, and pathophysiology. He served as the Associate Dean of Arts and Sciences as well as the Assistant Chairperson of Life Sciences. He was also the Adjunct Professor of Medical and Molecular Genetics at the Indiana University School of Medicine. Dr. Prentice has served as the Ad Hoc Advisor to U.S. Congressman Dave Weldon, Senator Sam Brownback, and other political and nonpolitical leaders and organizations internationally. While teaching at Indiana State University Dr. Prentice received the Educational Excellence Teaching Award, Arts and Science (1998), the Caleb Mills Distinguished Teaching Award (2000), and the Faculty Distinguished Service Award (2003). He obtained his Ph.D in Biochemistry from the University of Kansas and worked at the Los Alamos National Laboratory. Dr. Prentice was also an Assistant Professor of Reproductive Sciences at the University of Texas Medical School in Houston. 

In 2007 he received the Walter C. Randall Award in Biomedical Ethics from the American Physiological Society for his leadership, example, and integrity in biomedical science. The U.S. President’s Council on Bioethics chose Dr. Prentice to write their review on adult stem cell research, and he has also appeared before Congress. He has testified before many state legislatures, the United Nations, the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, the Vatican, and multiple European governing bodies like the French Senate and Swedish Parliament. Dr. Prentice is a Founding Member of Do No Harm: The Coalition of Americans for Research Ethics a Fellow of the Institute of Biotechnology and the Human Future an Advisory Board Member of the Center of Bioethics and Human Dignity and a Fellow of the Council of Biotechnology Policy- Wilberforce Forum

Stem Cell Research
Dr. Prentice is a strong advocate for the use of adult, rather than embryonic, stem cells for research. Common claims for embryonic stem cells say that they have more potential to create any type of tissue, but adult stem cells have also been proven to have the same potential. The use of embryonic stem cells isn't necessary because there are more ethical and proven substitutes. One advantage of adult stem cells is that they aren't rejected from the body because they are the patient's own individual cells. Embryonic stem cells would require life-long medication to prevent rejection, or the patient would have to be cloned, which would kill the cloned embryo for stem cells. Adult stem cells are also advantageous because the process is so much simpler with a smaller margin for error, making it safer and more dependable. Embryonic stem cells have to be grown in a lab, but adult stem cells can be found in organs, bone-marrow, and umbilical cord blood. Advancements in the use of adult stem cells can be used to improve treatments for cancer, arthritis, and other health problems. Because of the overwhelming amount of evidence for the use of adult stem cells, Dr. Prentice sees no reason to support either embryonic stem cell research or cloning, both of which have ethical problems to contend with. When appearing before a Missouri Senate committee, Dr. Prentice said, "[A]dult stem cells have been shown by the published evidence to be a more promising alternative for patient treatments, with a vast biomedical potential. Adult stem cells have proven success in the laboratory dish, in animal models of disease, and in current clinical treatments...There are no valid or compelling grounds—scientific, medical, or ethical—to proceed with human cloning." Dr. Prentice continues to dedicate his work and knowledge to telling people all over the world the truth, and supporting his results and research with scientific evidence.  View Adult Stem Cell vs Embryonic Stem Cell Research Ethics Video by the Family Research Council that features Dr. David A. Prentice and reflects his personal views and beliefs in regards to cloning and stem cell research.

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PowerPoint Files

 * The Science of the Cloning Debate: Latest Developments A power point showing the futility of cloning and the potential of adult stem cells.
 * Stem Cells and Cloning A powerpoint addressing the problems with stem cells and cloning.
 * Cloning and Stem Cell Research A powerpoint about the facts and failures behind cloning and types of stem cell research.

Publications
For more articles and publications by Dr. David A. Prentice visit his homepage: Dave's World.
 * Adult Stem Cells Monitoring Stem Cell Research: A Report of the President's Council on Bioethics 309-346 (Appendix K; 2003/2004).
 * Adult Stem Cells- 2004 Update Updated article for the President's Council on Bioethics (October 2004).
 * Ethics and Biotechnology Introduction to Biotechnology (Biotechnology Textbook for undergraduate students; August 2003).
 * Stem Cells and Cloning Introduction to ethics in biotechnology (July 2002).
 * Live Patients and Dead Mice Stem cell article in Christianity Today (Volume 49; Issue 10; October 2005).
 * No Fountain of Youth Stem cell research article in Regeneration Quarterly (Volume 6; Issue 4; Winter 2000).
 * Current Science of Regenerative Medicine with Stem Cells A paper analyzing the potential for stem cells in medicine (online article).
 * The Trouble with Hwang: The Ethical and Scientific Problems of Therapeutic Cloning Article about Dr. Hwang's cloning practices (Center for Bioethics and Human Dignity).
 * Stem Cell Research Letter by Scientists Letter to John Kerry about funding and support for embryonic stem cell research and cloning with his political campaign; signed by David A. Prentice along with other scientists (October 2004).
 * The Case Against Federal Funding of Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research A response article in the Yale Journal of Health Policy, Law, and Ethics (Vol. II, Issue 1; Fall 2001).