1. Provide the title of your story or series and the names of the journalists involved.
The Post Investigates: "The Other Stem Cells" by Elizabeth Svoboda & Patrick Perry, MPH.
2. List date(s) this work was published or aired.
Jan/Feb 2010 issue of The Saturday Evening Post magazine.
3. Provide a brief synopsis of the story or stories, including any significant findings.
The article addressed breakthroughs in stem cell technology and explained why their research is worth keeping an eye on, including its impact in type 1 diabetes, bone fractures and cardiomyopathy. We interviewed Dr. Zannos Grekos in person about his use of stem cells and how the experimental procedure helped an individual patient. We also provided our readership basic information to provide a framework for the otherwise controversial field.
4. Explain types of documents, data or Internet resources used. Were FOI or public records act requests required? How did this affect the work?
Elizabeth Svoboda conducted interviews and is keyed into the latest research. We interviewed, as stated above, Zannos Grekos, M.D., who performs the procedure. We taped the interview which was later posted online for interested parties.
5. Explain types of human sources used.
Zannos Grekos, M.D., patient Leonard Narracci, Dr. Richard Burt at Northwester University's Feinberg School of Medicine, Anna Spagnoli at the University of North Carolina.
6. Results (if any).
Readership was interested in the article. Perhaps most important, the article tried to address the controversial topic and overcome stigma attached to the very words "stem cells."
7. Follow-up (if any). Have you run a correction or clarification on the report or has anyone come forward to challenge its accuracy? If so, please explain.
No.
8. Advice to other journalists planning a similar story or project.
We were invited to an informal discussion with Dr. Grekos, whose work was then little known. While it remains somewhat controversial, other publications have since followed up on the report and lead.