Magdi Yacoub Praises HH Sheikha Moza's Efforts in Support of Scientific Research

Doha, February 28 (QNA) - World-renowned heart surgeon Professor Sir Magdi Yacoub has praised the great efforts exerted by HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Communty Development (QF) in supporting scientific research thanks to her belief in it as the sole way to progress and renaissance that eventually reflects on mankind. "Qatar Foundation always looks to the future and has long-term strategies for scientific research," Yacoub told Qatar News Agency (QNA) on the sidelines of Qatar International Conference on Stem Cell Science and Policy, that launched on Monday. Yacoub said that without such research there will be no progress in life, highlighting that HH the Sheikha always focuses on this issue, which reflects the awareness of Her Highness of the importance of scientific research as the only thing that benefits humankind. The Egyptian-born surgeon said that the conference will have an impact, and huge and vital results as it includes high-level discussions that involve the finest world researchers and experts in stem cells. "This is an honor for Qatar. I expect the conference to have excellent results," said Yacoub. Yacoub dismissed the claims that stem cells research conflicts with religion and law and said, "many research papers show that we can produce cells without the need of fetus cells, especially the human fetus, and this is a highly important matter." Yacoub noted that great feats are achieved in this area but what is important is determining the appropriate cells for each body organ as this is yet to be discovered. "We started our research in this aspect, but it's still a new area. Although it's a promising research, but we haven't reached what we aspire to yet," he said . (QNA)