California Stem Cell Research Program Approves Statewide Laboratory Construction Program

Main Category: Stem Cell Research
Also Included In: Women's Health / Gynecology
Article Date: 12 May 2008 - 0:00 PST

email to a friend   printer friendly   view / write opinions   rate article

The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine's Independent Citizens' Oversight Committee on Wednesday approved $271 million in grants to build 12 stem cell laboratories at academic and not-for-profit research institutions in the state, the New York Times reports. The grants represent the largest amount of money awarded at one time by the program. The approval has sparked debate as to whether it is unnecessary because of possible changes to the ban on federal funding on research that uses embryonic stem cell lines created after August 2001. According to the Times, all three main presidential candidates have expressed support for expanded funding for the research.

According to the Times, one reason CIRM distributed the grants for construction is because research on embryonic stem cell lines created after August 2001 "cannot share even a microscope with a project that is federally financed." However, Jesse Reynolds -- a policy analyst at the Center for Genetics and Society, which supports stem cell research but has criticized CIRM -- said that now that "the money is flowing" in California, those federal restrictions are going to be removed." Robert Klein, chair of CIRM, argued that the state could not take for granted that the federal restrictions would be lifted by the next president. He added that Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain (Ariz.) has expressed opposition to some types of stem cell research. Klein said that even if the restrictions are lifted, new laboratory space will be needed to expand research and to recruit scientists.

Some CIRM officials also said the construction would provide an economic stimulus during a time of a large state budget deficit and a weak economy (Pollack, New York Times, 5/8). California voters in 2004 approved a plan to invest $3 billion of tax funds over 10 years into embryonic stem cell research, and CIRM has already approved 156 research grants totaling $260 million (Daily Women's Health Policy Report, 2/13). The new grant recipients include nine of the 10 University of California campuses, Stanford University and the San Diego Consortium for Regenerative Medicine.

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) in a statement released after the board's decision said, "[T]his kind of public-private investment in a growing jobs section is exactly the kind of good news our economy needs right now." He added, "This will go a long way toward medical research that could save lives and improve them for people with chronic diseases" (Mohajer, AP/Examiner.com, 5/7). Wesley Smith -- a fellow of the Discovery Institute in Seattle and critic of CIRM -- said the spending is irresponsible. "Whether one supports or opposes the CIRM, the voters were told that their borrowed money would be used to pay for research into cures, not the construction of high-end luxury buildings," Smith said, adding, "And this at a time when [California] is drowning in $20 billion of red ink" (Russell, San Francisco Chronicle, 5/8).

Reprinted with kind permission from http://www.nationalpartnership.org. You can view the entire Daily Women's Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for email delivery here. The Daily Women's Health Policy Report is a free service of the National Partnership for Women & Families, published by The Advisory Board Company.

© 2008 The Advisory Board Company. All rights reserved.