PROFNET WIRE: EDUCATION & GOVERNMENT: Stem Cell Research

   ROUND-UPS    Stem Cell Research (continued, 2 experts)   Fifth Anniversary of 9/11 (continued, 6 experts)   Detaining Terror Suspects (continued, 1 expert)   No Child Left Behind (continued, 1 expert)   Lack of Interest in Math and Science (continued, 2 experts)    LEADS    1.  Education: School Dilemma: Grant Freedom or Enforce the Rules?   2.  Law: Federal Ruling May Mean Tax Refunds for Plaintiffs   3.  Public Issues: Federal Deficit-Reduction Bill Impacts Child Support   4.  World Affairs: Challenges/Threats Facing China, Japan and Korea       Ignored    ROUND-UP: STEM CELL RESEARCH (continued)   

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1. FRANCISCO J. SILVA, vice president of research and development for biotech firm PRIMECELL THERAPEUTICS: “The challenge is in identifying a reliable source of pluripotent stem cells. Until now, the only stem cells showing pluripotency — the ability to transform into any cell type — have been embryonic stem cells. But getting these cells requires the creation and destruction of an embryo.” Silva is available to provide expert commentary about the ongoing quest to find alternate sources of human pluripotent stem cells. He can address the full scope of methodologies now being explored in research labs worldwide. News Contact: Ken Greenberg, ken@edgecommunicationsinc.com Phone: +1-818-990-5001 Web site: http://www.primecelltherapeutics.com/ (9/7/06)

2. LEO T. FURCHT, M.D., is head of the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology at the UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA and president of the Federation of Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB). Furcht is a leading, national industry leader on the topic of stem cell research. He has had a distinguished career in academic medicine dealing with the interaction of cells in the body with the microenvironment, particularly cancer cells and, most recently, cancer stem cells. He is co-inventor of a broad fundamental patent (U.S. Patent #7,015,037), which isolated stem cells from the bone marrow of adults that have the full capabilities of embryonic stem cells. He also serves as the vice president for Science Policy Committee, Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology, and Ad Hoc Steering Committee on Conflict of Interest in Research. Furcht started a company that owned this technology and has licensed it to a biotech company in Cleveland that is pursuing clinical development. He has also co-authored a book on stem cells entitled “Seeds of Bounty: How Stem Cells Launched a BioRenaissance of Discovery, Hope and Fear,” written for the lay public. He is the holder of numerous patents in the field of biomedical research and has authored over 175 papers. News Contact: Jessica P. Sachariason, jessica@roepkepr.com Phone: +1- 612-677-1717 Cell: +1-612-599-1707 (9/7/06)

ROUND-UP: FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF 9/11 (continued)

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1. CHARLES R. WISE, professor at INDIANA UNIVERSITY’s School of Public and Environmental Affairs: “The question policymakers and analysts are now debating is whether the organization of the Department of Homeland Security and other federal organizations require further major changes to meet the expectations of the American people. The response by the federal, state, and local governments to Hurricane Katrina was declared by President Bush as ‘not acceptable,’ and their performance during Katrina has heightened concerns that the federal government may not be sufficiently prepared for other Homeland Security risks. Several more proposals for reorganization are now being debated.” News Contact: Jenny Cohen, jercohen@indiana.edu Phone: +1-812-855- 6802 (9/7/06)

2. CLINT OSTER, professor of law and public policy, INDIANA UNIVERSITY’s School of Public and Environmental Affairs: “As we look to the future, the critical challenge will be striking the balance between improved security and retaining civil liberties. To what extent will we be willing to adopt practices and technologies that improve security but at the cost of infringing on civil liberties? We already face these tradeoffs in the debates about the possible use of passenger profiling and backscatter X-ray. These issues are not easily resolved, and the future is likely to raise more such questions rather than less.” News Contact: Jenny Cohen, jercohen@indiana.edu Phone: +1-812-855-6802 (9/7/06)

3. ALAN BLUMBERG, Ph.D., head of the STEVENS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY’s enter for Maritime Systems, George Meade Bond Professor, and director of the department of civil, environmental and ocean engineering: “We’ve been focusing on the sky and shipping containers; now it’s time to look at the water.” Blumberg can discuss key vulnerabilities in port security that don’t get enough attention from authorities, including: 1. The vulnerability of the ‘most dangerous two miles’ in the U.S.; 2. The ease with which the port could be brought to an immediate halt; 3. The Byzantine network of government agencies that look after the port. News Contact: Adria Greenberg, adria@sommerfield.com Phone: +1-212-255-8386 (9/7/06)

4. JEAN PATTERSON, Ph.D., chair of the Virology and Immunology Department at the SOUTHWEST FOUNDATION FOR BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH in San Antonio, can discuss ongoing research to combat bioterror agents. Patterson’s research includes projects on behalf of the National Institutes of Health and Department of Defense. Her lab, equipped with a BSL-4 maximum containment facility, is researching anthrax, tularensis, Ebola and other ‘select agents.’ Her department also is an important component of the National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases’ Western Regional Center of Excellence in Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases. News Contact: Julie Collins, jcollins@sfbr.org Phone: +1-210-258-9437 (9/7/06)

5. SUSAN WEEKS, nursing instructor at the TCU Harris College of Nursing & Health Sciences, is a mental grief expert and long-time Red Cross volunteer. She can discuss the long-term grief effects of the 9/11 tragedy. Weeks has been involved with mental grief volunteer support, including Hurricane Katrina, Oklahoma City bombings, 9/11 World Trade Center tragedy, as well as other catastrophic events, such as fires, shootings and aviation disasters. News Contact: Shawn Kornegay, s.kornegay@tcu.edu Phone: +1-817-257-5061 (9/7/06)

6. CHARLES WHITNEY, professor of sociology at UC Riverside, has a doctorate in mass communications. His research specialties are in the sociology of mass media communicators, the social effects of mass media, political communication and public opinion. Whitney can give an overview of the media coverage of terrorism since 9/11 and the communications techniques used on both sides of the conflict. News Contact: Kris Lovekin, kris.lovekin@ucr.edu Phone: +1-951-827-2495 (9/7/06)

ROUND-UP: DETAINING TERROR SUSPECTS (continued)

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1. BETH HILLMAN, professor at the RUTGERS UNIVERSITY School of Law at Camden, is an expert on the U.S. military justice system. A former U.S. Air Force officer and author of the book, “Defending America: Military Culture and the Cold War Court-Martial” (Princeton University Press), Hillman served on the National Institute of Military Justice’s Cox Commission, which convened to suggest changes to the current system of military tribunals. She is available to discuss terror trials. News Contact: Michael Sepanic, msepanic@camden.rutgers.edu Phone: +1-856-225-6026 (9/7/06)

ROUND-UP: NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND (continued)

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1. MARCY AXNESS, Ph.D., of the ASSOCIATION FOR PRENATAL AND PERINATAL PSYCHOLOGY & HEALTH (APPPAH): “With high-stakes testing, the more intangible phenomena of experiential learning (like marveling at a shooting star) are rendered quaintly irrelevant to ‘real’ education. When are we going to realize that children are not widgets on a factory assembly line, to be inspected at regular intervals for quality control? This stressful, dehumanizing approach is fueling a crisis in our kids: ADD and other developmental and learning disorders, along with serious behavioral problems, are epidemic, and the rates of childhood depression are soaring. No Child Left Behind is a catchy slogan, but with youth trends like these, where is it we are taking them?” News Contact: Thomas R. Verny, apppah.pr@gmail.com Phone: +1-519-271 5174 (9/7/06)

ROUND-UP: LACK OF INTEREST IN MATH AND SCIENCE (continued)

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1. KEN TONG, physics teacher at BALLARD HIGH SCHOOL: “Interactive education is key to increased interest in science. Advancements in technology bring solid advantages for science teachers and their students. In my classroom, I observe that the difference between looking at a static picture of a trajectory triangle and firing a cannon to determine trajectory is comparable to watching a movie with the sound off versus sound on in full stereo. Students are digital natives and have a high technological savvy. Why not take advantage of the benefits of the medium they are used to?” News Contact: Kimber Smith, kimber@smithfidler.com Phone: +1-714-968-7191 (9/7/06)

2. MARK BRETL, director of marketing for KINETIC BOOKS COMPANY: “Digital curriculum provides a more interesting and interactive learning tool for students and a more customizable educational tool for instructors. Digital curricula weighs less, is less expensive to produce, and easier to upgrade than print textbooks. Instead of trying to legislate a cap to resolve high textbook costs, we should be looking at other alternatives, such as providing enhanced, interactive products at a far lower price. By increasing competition with print textbook vendors, students, parents and educators might also see more benefits than reduced costs — a renewed interest in science.” News Contact: Kimber Smith, kimber@smithfidler.com Phone: +1-714-968-7191 (9/7/06)

_____ LEADS

1. EDUCATION: SCHOOL DILEMMA: GRANT FREEDOM OR ENFORCE THE RULES? MARCOS RONQUILLO, attorney at GODWIN PAPPAS LANGLEY RONQUILLO, LLP: “School leaders have a tough job. They want to give students some freedom, but their main mission is to maintain a safe and orderly environment in which all young people can learn. The issue surfaced recently in a North Texas high school when a principal sent a student home because she had come to school with her hair dyed a bright red color. The girl called the punishment an attack on her African-American culture. Ideally, schools need to fairly enforce dress codes, while being sensitive to diversity and cultural differences.” News Contact: Mark Annick, mark@legalpr.com Phone: +1-800-559-4534 (9/7/06)

2. LAW: FEDERAL RULING MAY MEAN TAX REFUNDS FOR PLAINTIFFS. TODD KRAFT, attorney at MEADOWS, OWENS, COLLIER, REED, COUSINS & BLAU, LLP: “A federal appeals court in Washington, D.C., has ruled that the IRS cannot tax the compensation received by plaintiffs for non-physical damages, including awards for emotional distress or mental anguish. Previously, only physical injury damage awards were considered non-taxable. The ruling enables plaintiffs to file for refunds if they paid taxes on such awards. Depending on when their returns were filed, there could be thousands of people who were awarded damages who could seek a refund. This decision could also encourage legal challenges to other parts of the tax code about what income can be taxed.” News Contact: Barry Pound, barry@legalpr.com Phone: +1-800-559-4534 (9/7/06)

3. PUBLIC ISSUES: FEDERAL DEFICIT-REDUCTION BILL IMPACTING STATE CHILD SUPPORT AGENCIES. ERIC ROSENKOETTER, executive counsel of SUPPORTKIDS, the nation’s leading private child support enforcement company: “The federal cuts to state child support operations are certain to have a significant impact in government enforcement services. Private companies are one option to consider for families who have not had success with government agencies. Too many children have to wait years for the financial support they deserve. And far too many never receive any support.” News Contact: Meg Meo, mmeo@echristianpr.com Phone: +1-512-494-2867

4. WORLD AFFAIRS: COMMON CHALLENGES AND THREATS FACING CHINA, JAPAN AND KOREA IGNORED. XIANG BING, dean of CHEUNG KONG GRADUATE SCHOOL OF BUSINESS: “Maybe we see too much in competition when it comes to the relationships among China, Japan and Korea than in collaboration and synergetic plays. There are, in fact, many interesting common elements, common challenges and threats that these three countries are facing but have been ignored or not studied well enough. If you look at regional economic blocs, the Europeans are doing well, the Americans are doing okay, and problems are spotted only in Asia. For China, Japan and Korea, there’s lots of room for improvement — logically — in trade and in business collaboration. We can do much better.” News Contact: Stephanie Yan, zhyan@ckgsb.edu.cn Phone: 86-10-85188858, ext. 3280

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