Stem cells, where they come from and what they are used for will be discussed in the next Science Café on Thursday, Dec. 17, at 7 p.m. in Stoker's Basement at the Hotel Donaldson. Peggy Biga, NDSU assistant professor of biological sciences, will present scientific answers to questions regarding stem cell research in her presentation titled "Stem Cell Research: Is it Worth it?"

Biga will talk about how the government regulates federal spending for stem cell research and ask the audience how religious ideologies might influence such regulations and the way scientists conduct science. She will explain the origins of the debate that surrounds the question of when life begins, which goes back to the time of Aristotle. Then, she will open a discussion of the controversies surrounding stem cell research.

For more information, contact Keri Drinka at keri.drinka@ndsu.edu or 1-1631.