Elsevier congratulates editors of Stem Cells: Scientific Facts and Fiction upon receipt of awards

Elsevier, the world-leading publisher of scientific, technical and medical information products and services, congratulates editors Christine Mummery, Ian Sir Wilmut, Anja van de Stolpe, and Bernard Roelen, whose new book, Stem Cells: Scientific Facts and Fiction, has received the British Medical Association Book Award's First Prize in the category of Basic and Clinical Sciences, as well as the BMA Board of Science Award for the Public Understanding of Science. The awards were announced on September 14th at BMA House in London.

Stem Cells: Scientific Facts and Fiction provides the reader background information on stem cells in a clear and well-organized manner. It provides the non-stem cell expert with an understandable review of the history, current state of affairs, and facts and fiction of the promises of stem cells. It distinguishes itself from the multiplicity of websites on the subject of stem cells by being scientifically, politically and ethically neutral, explaining pros and cons for stem cells of every sort with the intention of reaching a wide readership ranging from advanced students and patient advocacy groups to clinicians, specialists and early phase medics in training. By providing the background scientific and social information, it provides readers with the information they require to form their own opinions on the use of stem cells on the basis of facts rather than hype.

The BMA Board of Science Award for the Public Understanding of Science was established in 2006 to further the educational objectives of the Board of Science. "This highly illustrated and imaginatively presented book," said BMA about Stem Cells on their website award page, "provides the non-stem cell expert with a review of the history, current state of affairs, and facts and fiction of the promises of stem cells. Its reviewer commented that it 'reads more like a conversational seminar rather than a standard textbook…. The interviews with prestigious workers in the field help to engage the reader and allow the evidence to be put into context. The many photos add liveliness to the book which, again, makes it very readable.'" In addition to the BMA Board of Science Award for the Public Understanding of Science, Stem Cells was also awarded first prize in the category of Basic and Clinical Sciences.

Provided by Elsevier