Ending Disease examines the controversial topic of stem cell research and delivers its findings in the least controversial packaging possible. Through the lens of 10 case studies, Joe Gantz’s documentary shows the multitude of ways in which stem cell therapy is revolutionizing health care for patients of all ages and backgrounds who are battling everything from terminal cancer to blindness.
The topic has been a touchy subject for decades, garnering public scrutiny from many fundamentalist Christians and anti-abortion forces for its connection to the use of aborted fetal tissue. Ending Disease calls for an end to the stigma and misinformation surrounding this research by dispelling myths about the science and highlighting actual patients whose lives have been saved by CAR T-cell and stem cell therapies.
In addition to confronting false claims that all stem cell research comes from terminated pregnancies — much of it actually derives from the patients’ own tissue and bone marrow — the film also profiles several recipients who were at first morally opposed to the practice. Their changes of heart are powerful to witness and nicely complement interviews with scientists and doctors involved in this research, especially as they highlight the hypocrisy of the anti-stem-cell terrorists who threaten their lives.
Available to rent starting Dec. 4 via grailmoviehouse.com
Before you comment
The comments section is here to provide a platform for civil dialogue on the issues we face together as a local community. Xpress is committed to offering this platform for all voices, but when the tone of the discussion gets nasty or strays off topic, we believe many people choose not to participate. Xpress editors are determined to moderate comments to ensure a constructive interchange is maintained. All comments judged not to be in keeping with the spirit of civil discourse will be removed and repeat violators will be banned. See here for our terms of service. Thank you for being part of this effort to promote respectful discussion.