''Lord of the Rings'' film makers donate to US stem cell research

[truthpusher]

http://www.indiadaily.com/breaking_news/75573.asp

''Lord of the Rings'' film makers donate to US stem cell research

Jul. 15, 2006

New Zealand film makers Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh, who created the ``Lord of the Rings'''' trilogy, donated 500,000 New Zealand dollars (US$310,000; euro245,000) on Saturday to human embryonic stem cell research at the University of California. The couple, who each won three Oscars for the trilogy, said they have lost close friends and relatives to the ``horrific suffering'''' of Parkinson's disease. ``Stem cell therapy has the potential to treat a multitude of diseases and illnesses which up until now have been labeled ''incurable,'''''' they said in a statement issued by the University of California. ``Continuing advances in stem cell medicine will change all of our lives for the better,'''' the couple said. They said the research has the potential to exponentially improve the quality of life for those who currently suffer from spinal cord injuries, diabetes, Parkinson's disease and many other debilitating medical conditions. University of California neurobiologist Hans Keirstead said the money will be used to create two scholarships for students who will specialize in stem cell work. (snip)

link: http://www.indiadaily.com/breaking_news/75573.asp