Thousands of youngsters are being asked if they will donate their milk teeth as part of an art-science collaboration – and they will still get their money from the Tooth Fairy.
Artist Gina Czarnecki and stem cell biologist Professor Sara Rankin from Imperial College London hope to create "Palaces", a spectacular glittering sculpture made from crystal resin and decorated with the teeth as part of a project to raise awareness of different sources of stem cells in the body.
The finished artwork will be two metres high and two metres wide and will resemble a coral castle under water, says Gina.
It is due to go on display at the Bluecoat, Liverpool, in December 2011, and at the Science Museum in London in 2012.
"The artwork will provide a focus to engage young people with this research and increase awareness, understanding and informed debate about these new biomedical possibilities and their social, cultural and ethical implications," says Professor Rankin, from the National Heart and Lung Institute.
"At the moment the debate around stem cell research is predominantly focused around ethical issues associated with the use of embryonic stem cells.
“We want to promote awareness about adult stem cells, such as those found in bone marrow or umbilical cord, which could be used to develop new treatments without any ethical issues."
"Different cultures have different traditions about where these teeth go, and what they are used for," says Gina.
"Through exhibition and informed discussion, we’re looking to explore the questions this raises about the value of waste matter and our attitudes to our own bodies as sources and beneficiaries of recyclable material."
Discarded body parts such as bones from joint replacements, umbilical cords, and fat from liposuction are rich sources of stem cells and medical researchers are beginning to uncover their therapeutic potential for treatment of illness and injuries, including broken bones, heart disease and cancer.
For details about the project – which includes a token that children can leave under their pillow for the Tooth Fairy in lieu of a tooth – visit www.palaces.org.uk
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