CGS-authored
Support for stem cell research is sweeping the country. Legislators in New York, Massachusetts, Illinois, Florida, Washington and perhaps a dozen other states are looking to approve several billions of dollars for research on stem cells. The House and Senate may vote on bills to ease federal stem cell restrictions within the next few months.
But before the authors of these measures go much further, they should pause and take to heart the experience in California, which last November approved the mother-of-all stem cell initiatives, the $3 billion Proposition 71.
The measure was a response to the limits placed by the Bush administration on stem cell research in 2001. Many medical researchers believe these restrictions impede vital research on treatments for diabetes, neurodegenerative diseases and other widespread disorders.
After attempts to liberalize federal funding restrictions failed, a network of California scientists, venture capitalists, biotech industry entrepreneurs and patients groups campaigned to put Proposition 71 on the November 2004 state ballot. The stem cell coalition outspent opponents by $35 million to $200,000—a ratio of 175 to 1—and the measure passed by...