The Red and Black

Nancy (left) and Sonya (right) Swain share a moment of silence to reflect on the life of Christopher Reeves. (Colin Smith | The Red & Black) [Click to enlarge]

James Shepherd watches a memorial film about Christopher Reeve at Tuesday's candlelight vigil sponsored by the Student Society for Stem Cell Research. Shepherd is the founder of the Shepherd Center in Atlanta for people who have experienced a catastrop [Click to enlarge]

The Student Society for Stem Cell Research held a candlelight vigil Tuesday night to honor the life of one of the most outspoken advocates of stem cell research.

In May 1995, actor Christopher Reeve, known best for his role as Superman, suffered a spinal cord injury, leaving him a quadriplegic.

After the equestrian accident, the former Man of Steel became one of the nation's foremost supporters of stem cell research, even testifying before congressional committees on the need for government-funded research.

The vigil, marking the two-year anniversary of his death, was held in the Davison Life Sciences Complex, and reached beyond the University, with guests from area advocacy groups.

"Our goal is to honor Reeve's memory and what he stood for," said Kurinji Pandiyan, president and founder of the Student Society for Stem Cell Research, which Pandiyan started earlier this semester.

Although stem cell research is promised by researchers to hold the cures for illnesses such as Parkinson's disease and diabetes, some conservative groups say the research destroys human life.

Internationally, this is the third year vigils have been held in Reeve's memory. The first took place just a few days after his death in 2004, Pandiyan said.

This year's vigil had a much lower turnout than expected, with only 20 students and Athens residents to fill the 180-seat auditorium.

Pandiyan said she expected 100 people to attend.

After watching a speech and a video about Reeve, the group moved outside for the candle-lighting and moment of silence.

Pandiyan said dispelling misconceptions, promoting community outreach, establishing partnerships with other organizations and affecting policy are the primary focus of the group.

"People have very skewed conceptions," said Pandiyan. "Wrong ideas are what make people prejudiced against the field."

Embryonic stem cells are a unique type of stem cell that have the ability to become any type of human cell.

The cells are taken from embryos the size of the head of a pin. At this point, the embryos have yet to develop a nervous system, said Steve Stice, director of the University Regenerative Bioscience Center.

"Fortunately we know how to turn stem cells into useful cells," said Stice, the faculty adviser for the society and an internationally renowned stem cell researcher.

After the stem cells are isolated, they undergo a six-week process that transforms them into new cells researchers hope could be used to treat spinal cord injuries, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease.

The UGA Right to Life Council opposes the use of embryonic stem cells.

"Advocates of embryonic stem cell research often create a false dilemma between saving lives through embryonic stem cell research and condemning innocent people to death," said President Julianna Peterson in a prepared statement.

"Our position on this issue is to draw attention to the fact that it is a false dilemma and that we support protecting innocent lives at every stage of development rather than focusing solely on those innocent lives who can speak out about their plight."

Pandiyan's ultimate goal for the society is to become a strong voice in the community by continuing to hold programs such as the Reeve's vigil.

"It's just about getting the word out in the community," Pandiyan said.

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