Closing gaps, opening doors: an experimental collaboration in stem cell intervention.

Despite years of warnings by the academic community that for most of the stem cell-based therapies offered in the private arena little evidence of efficacy exists, these services have been increasingly offered by Canadian private clinics. Recently, as the culmination of years of clashes between stem cell researchers and therapy providers, Health Canada issued a statement prohibiting any type of cell therapy that is not specifically approved. In this climate of conflict, a small group representing both these communities as well as the government gathered in Vancouver to identify common values, and agree on principles to move forward constructively. This historic moment demonstrated that even in this contentious space a meeting-of-minds in between researchers, clinicians, ethicists, entrepreneurs and other stakeholders is possible.