FLESH 

The unnatural history 

MADE

and broken promise of stem cells

NEW

‘Science isn’t magic: it’s human enterprise. This enthralling book tells of high achievement and astonishing blunders in a vital field of research’

Robyn Williams, science journalist and broadcaster

JOHN RASKO AO
AND TEGAN TAYLOR (Host)

Fri 30 April 2021

The Edge, State Library of Queensland

FLESH

MADE

NEW

JOHN RASKO
TEGAN TAYLOR

Fri 30 April 2021

The Edge, State Library of Queensland

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‘Science isn’t magic: it’s human enterprise. This enthralling book tells of high achievement and astonishing blunders in a vital field of research’

Robyn Williams, science journalist and broadcaster

Summary

For decades, we have been told that the era of regenerative medicine is upon us. Stem cells – the ‘master-builders’ of your body – will soon cure just about every ailment under the sun. If not tomorrow, then the next day, or the one after that.

The medical potential of stem cell research has been widely celebrated. Less well-known is its troubled past.

Internationally-acclaimed leader in gene and stem cell therapies, Professor John Rasko AO, takes us on a wild historical tour of stem cell research—from great scientific successes, to set-backs, confusions, delusions and scandals. 

Along the way, he introduces us to some of the people who have shaped this history – from the true pioneers of stem cell science to the charlatans who cooked their data and claimed fake cures. By tearing down the hype surrounding stem cells, he reveals what’s still worth hoping for in this vital field of research.

John will be joined in conversation by journalist Tegan Taylor, co-host (with Norman Swan) of ABC’s multi-award-winning podcast Coronacast.

John will be signing copies of his new book Flesh Made New: The Unnatural History and Broken Promise of Stem Cells (written with co-author Carl Power) after the event.

When?

Fri 30 Apr 2021, 6 for 6.30 – 7.40pm

How much?

Tickets: $35 / * $30 Concession
** $10 Student Rush

* Includes students, pensioners and health care card holders

** A limited number of student rush tickets are available for full time university students and high school students in years 11 & 12.

Clicking on ‘book now’ will redirect you to QTIX secure payment portal. 

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Where?

The Edge Auditorium, State Library of Queensland
Cultural Centre, Stanley Place
South Bank Brisbane Qld 4101

Get directions >>

Presented in partnership with Griffith University’s  A better future for all: In conversation series, a critical platform that aims to provide a much-needed forum for robust and unfettered discussion about where we are, and how we are responding to this century’s greatest challenges.

Speakers

John Rasko

Prof John Rasko AO

Professor John Rasko AO heads both the Gene and Stem Cell Therapy Program at the Centenary Institute, University of Sydney, and Cell & Molecular Therapies at Royal Prince Alfred hospital in Sydney. He frequently appears on radio and television programs to talk about stem cell research, medical tourism, scientific fraud and related matters. John delivered the 2018 Boyer Lecture series for the ABC. He is co-author, with Carl Power, of the recently released book Flesh Made New: The Unnatural History and Broken Promise of Stem Cells (Feb 2021)…read full bio

Tegan Taylor

Ms Tegan Taylor (Host)

Tegan Taylor is co-host of the ABC’s Coronacast, the multi-award-winning daily podcast about the pandemic, and a health and science journalist in the ABC Science Unit, where she reports on topics from health fads to moonquakes and, yes, coronavirus.

She’s a regular contributor to ABC Radio National’s Health Report, and has been known to pop up on RN Life Matters, Triple J and in the Best of Australian Science Writing. In 2020, Coronacast won a Walkley award and the Eureka Prize for Science Journalism.

Tegan was previously a producer on the ABC’s national digital newsdesk, where she curated the ABC News homepage and commissioned, wrote and edited news stories and social media content. Before that, she was a journalism lecturer at The University of Queensland and, long ago, a newspaper reporter at the Queensland Times in Ipswich.

 

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