Copeland and Jenkins leaving US

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In summary, these two scientists have decided to leave the US due to restrictions on their research involving stem cells. They have moved to Singapore in order to continue their work, despite the current political climate.
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http://www.startribune.com/stories/561/5753658.html

"... Two of the world's best geneticists will leave the National Cancer Institute and move not to Stanford University, which had heavily recruited them, but to Singapore's Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology. The reason is simple: They will face far fewer restrictions on their research, which involves stem cells.

Neal Copeland and Nancy Jenkins are a husband-wife research team. They are famous for developing methods that identify cancer-causing genes, work completed during their three decades at the Cancer Institute. Their ultimate goal is to develop drugs to block those genes; in effect, they seek a cure for cancer. They're leaving the institute because of restrictions on the use of stem cells imposed by the Bush administration. They had hoped to move to Stanford to take advantage of the $3 billion fund California voters approved for stem-cell research that circumvents the federal restrictions. Unfortunately, lawsuits by antiabortion groups have held up use of those funds. Thus the move to Singapore, where they will join geneticist Edison Liu, also formerly of the Cancer Institute..."
 
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  • #2
This is still controvertial and with subsequent administrations this would have changed a lot since 2005. Now we have Trump with his creationist administration. Not fantastic for cutting edge Science where there are difficult ethical questions. I'll admit I replied to this because it Marcus who posted it and eventually succumbed to the disease sadly. Anyway worth checking the timeline on this and seeing where they are on it.
 
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I will not bore/depress people with the politics, needless to say Democrats see the value in stem cell research whereas subsequent republican administrations so their best to scupper it.

There has been some ping pong on this since the original OP 14 years ago and the below is the latest instalment by the incumbent.

https://www.the-scientist.com/news-opinion/trump-administration-halts-acquisition-of-fetal-tissue-for-research-65197

Neal Copeland and Nancy Jenkins are still plugging away and after leaving the US for Singapore they have now returned to continue work in the area.

https://www.mdanderson.org/publications/cancerwise/meet-the-husband-and-wife-geneticists-dedicated-to-cancer-research-and-each-other.h00-159229668.html

An impressive pair of scientists (800 publications and 30,000 citations! – is this a record?)

US politics is alien to me, the republicans seem to be obsessed with the unborn but don’t care what happens when you are actually born…
 

FAQ: Copeland and Jenkins leaving US

Why did Copeland and Jenkins leave the US?

There are a few potential reasons for their departure. It could be related to job opportunities, personal or family reasons, or a desire for a change of scenery. Without more information, it is impossible to determine the exact reason.

What impact will their departure have on the US?

It is difficult to say for certain, but their absence could potentially affect the fields they were working in and the companies they were employed by. It may also impact the local economy, depending on the industry and their level of influence.

Will their research and work still be accessible to the US?

Yes, in most cases, their research and work will still be accessible to the US. This may depend on any intellectual property agreements or contracts they have with their previous employers, but generally, their work should still be accessible.

Are there any plans for Copeland and Jenkins to return to the US?

There is no way to know for sure, but it is possible that they may return to the US at some point in the future. This could depend on a variety of factors, including job opportunities, personal circumstances, and the state of the country.

How common is it for scientists to leave the US?

It is not uncommon for scientists and researchers to travel and work in different countries throughout their careers. Many factors, such as funding, job opportunities, and personal reasons, can influence a scientist's decision to leave their home country.

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