C, here is his bio and an interview. He was also the Scientific Director of Markham Fertility clinic prior to his newer job. Markham is now considered one the best in Canada. He knows his stuff on anything related to the fields of IVF and stemcells. He's the kind of guy who would enjoy coming here for a debate should anyone want to take him on. He's not an argumentive guy, very nice actually, but the issue gets him stirred like no other.
Bio:
Dr. Hollands is the Chief Scientific Officer of the
UK Cord Blood Bank, which is the European branch of the Boston based
New England Cord Blood Bank. Dr. Hollands trained with Professor R.G. Edwards FRS at Cambridge University in the area of embryonic stem cells. On being awarded a PhD in stem cell biology, he worked as a clinical embryologist at Bourn Hall Clinic, the world’s first IVF unit. Following this, he became an academic at Anglia Polytechnic University in Cambridge, teaching in medical sciences and carrying out research in the field of stem cell biology. He has numerous publications to his credit on the subject of stem cells and clinical embryology.
Interview:
Tell us about the UK Cord Blood Bank
UK Cord Blood Bank is the European branch of the Boston based New England Cord Blood Bank. We are in the process of creating a new cord blood stem cell processing, storage and research lab in Manchester UK. This lab will serve not only Europe but also the Middle East and will provide state of the art technology to our private cord blood clients and the same high quality of service to those people who decide to donate their cord blood to us either for use in our public bank or for research.
What long term goals do you have?
To see the full potential of cord blood stem cells recognised and to see their extended use on an international basis. Cord blood stem cells are tried and tested in the treatment of blood disorders. Exciting new research tells us that these same cells can also make nerve cells, insulin secreting cells, muscle cells and many other tissue types. We therefore have a model in which we can create stem cell therapies, for a range of diseases, using a source of stem cells which is currently considered to be biologcal waste.
When you're not at work or dealing with industry activities what do you do for yourself? Hobbies, interests?
I have 2 children aged 4 and nearly 7 so they keep me pretty busy! We moved back to the UK in 2005 after 2 years in Toronto and we have just bought a newly built house not far from Cambridge UK. If I do get any spare time I enjoy a game of golf and playing the guitar and clarinet but not all at once!
What stage of your education were you at when Louise Brown was born?
I was an undergraduate in Cambridge when Louise Brown was born. I already knew Bob Edwards at that time (as a lecturer) and I was determined to work with him.
Did her birth have any influence on the path you took?
Yes. This was a massive event for everyone in the world (not least Louise and her parents). Many medical breakthroughs, for example a heart transplant, start off as international news and in a few years become routine attracting little or no daily interest. The difference with IVF is that it seems to constantly produce new ideas and concepts and the level of interest has therefore been maintained to this day.
In the 80's you studied and worked under Robert Edwards, the co-founder of IVF. You were involved in pioneering many of the processes that we take for granted today. Tell us what it was like to learn and work in that environment.
Once I graduated I began my PhD under the supervision of Bob Edwards. These were exciting, pioneering days and I was priviliged to be involved. The research on stem cell biology I carried out laid the groundwork for much of the research ongoing today. Bourn Hall Clinic was equally exciting and innovative and of course the only IVF clinic in the world! Patients came from all around the world to be treated by the team there. Very impressive for a little village in rural Cambridgeshire.
Once I completed my PhD my post-doc was at Bourn Hall. I joined the team there and worked with some of the most famous people in IVF such as Simon Fishel and Jacques Cohen. I think that I was extremely lucky to be in 'the right place at the right time' and to be part of medical history.
Aside from Professor Edwards, and perhaps Patrick Steptoe, who do you feel have made some of the most important scientific contributions to IVF?
Edwards and Steptoe were a team and without both of them IVF would not exist. It was in fact a chance meeting at a conference which brought them together. Bob recognised that Patricks' laparoscopy technique could be used to collect human eggs...............the rest is history.
I think that the Australians, in particular Alan Trounsen and his team, have made the biggest contributions to further IVF technology for example the freezing of human embryos.
During the 80's and 90's you were involved in non-human embryonic stemcell research. You're no longer a proponent of this field. Was there a critical event, finding or discovery that influenced your decision to drop embryonic stemcell research for adult/umbilical cord blood stemcells?
My research in the early 1980's laid the groundwork for embryonic stem cell technology using the mouse embryo. Even in those early days I knew that to try to take this technology to the human would raise serious legal, ethical, moral and religious objections. There were also major technical problems such as potential tumour formation not to mention the practical problems of obtaining human embryos for such research. Embryonic stem cell technology today has not really progressed very far for these reasons.
I have worked on all types of stem cell, with the exception of human embryonic, and as a stem cell biologist I am convinced that cord blood stem cells represent the realistic hope for future stem cell therapies. They have all of the potential of embryonic stem cells without the associated problems and objections.
What is the most challenging issue you see your industry facing in the years ahead?
In IVF we need to improve success rates. There has been a slow improvement since the early days but even at the very best clinics 60% of patients go away disappointed rising to at least 70% at some clinics.
In stem cell biology we need to first decide which types of stem cell to concentrate on. There is a massive waste of time, money and resources, in my opinion, on embryonic stem cells. We need to focus all of this effort onto cord blood/adult stem cells to ensure that we help the people who matter: The patients waiting for stem cell therapy.
Is there one book or piece of literature in any aspect of assisted reproductive technology or stemcell biology that you would consider the most important or thought provoking? A personal favorite that's a must read of sorts for students or professionals.
A Matter of Life by Edwards and Steptoe is brilliant but unfortunately out of press. It describes the work leading up to the birth of Louise Brown in an easy to read style. If you find a copy treasure it!
There is unfortunately no equivalant in the stem cell world, perhaps I should write it.............
What do you see as the next potential breakthrough in IVF/ART?
Hopefully new technology to increase success rates. This is the one area of IVF which has always disappointed me.
Regarding IVF patients:
Aside from location and costs, what advice would you give someone who is trying to choose a clinic?
Make sure that you like the people who will be treating you and that they listen to you and respond to your wishes. It is also a good idea to check out success rates for your clinic. No one wants to be part of a learning curve!
You have been a proponent of limiting the number of embryos transferred to two per cycle. Under what circumstances, if any, do you feel more than two is appropriate?
Two embryos is the standard here in the UK with an ongoing debate for one embryo. The rationale behind this is related to the problems associated with multiple births not only medical but social and financial.
There is a philosophy to allow three embryos in a patient who is older than 40 in attempt to increase success rates in this group. I remain to be convinced that this actually makes any difference in this age group.
Regarding multiple failed outcomes, how do we know when enough is enough?
This is a matter of personal choice. Anyone in this situation should receive careful, professional counselling to assist in the decision making process.
