‘Charlie’s Law’ is topic at Rice’s Baker Institute Oct. 4

MEDIA ADVISORY

David Ruth
david@rice.edu
713-348-6327

Jeff Falk
jfalk@rice.edu
713-348-6775

‘Charlie’s Law’ is topic at Rice’s Baker Institute Oct. 4

HOUSTON – (Oct. 3, 2017) – Five Texas state legislators and a leading Texas Heart Institute researcher will gather at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy Oct. 4 to discuss HB 810, or “Charlie’s Law,” at a panel moderated by Baker Institute fellow Kirstin Matthews.

HB 810, passed during the 85th Texas Legislative session, expands the right-to-try laws in Texas and allows patients with chronic and terminal illnesses access to experimental stem cell interventions. The panel will examine the scope and impact of HB 810 on research and health care and discuss how best to protect patients moving forward.

Hosted by the Baker Institute’s Center for Health and Biosciences and the Texas Heart Institute, the event is free and open to the public but registration is required.

Who: Panelists state Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston, lead author of the bill in the Senate; state Rep. Garnet Coleman, D-Houston; state Rep. Tan Parker, R-Flower Mound, lead author of the bill in the House; state Sen. Charles Schwertner, R-Georgetown; state Rep. John Zerwas, R-Richmond; and Doris Taylor, director of the Texas Heart Institute’s Regenerative Medicine Research.

James Willerson, president emeritus of the Texas Heart Institute, will give introductory remarks. Kirstin Matthews, fellow in science and technology policy at the Baker Institute, will serve as moderator.

What: An event titled “Charlie’s Law: Increased Access to Stem Cell Interventions in Texas.”

When: Wednesday, Oct. 4, 8:30-11 a.m.

Where: Rice University, Baker Hall, Doré Commons, 6100 Main St.

This event is part of a series launched in 2016 dedicated to educating the public on the important intersection of science, medicine and policy in stem cell research at the state and national levels. The inaugural event, “Stem Cell Tourism Near and Far: Achieving a Compromise for the Patient,” focused on unproven stem cell interventions and the associated risks, as well as clinical research.

The public must RSVP for the event at www.bakerinstitute.org/events/1883. A live webcast will be available at the event page.

Members of the news media who want to attend should RSVP to Jeff Falk, associate director of national media relations at Rice, at jfalk@rice.edu or 713-348-6775.

For a map of Rice University’s campus with parking information, go to www.rice.edu/maps. Media are advised to park in the Central Campus Garage.

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