Center for Genetics and Society to Testify on Governance of California's Stem Cell Agency

Center for Genetics and Society to testify on governance of California's stem cell agency "Little Hoover Commission" to hold public hearing tomorrow on the $3 billion program

Jesse Reynolds, Project Director on Biotechnology in the Public Interest at the Center for Genetics and Society, will testify tomorrow before California’s Little Hoover Commission, a bipartisan, independent state body that promotes efficiency and effectiveness in state programs.

The hearing is the first public session of the Commission’s study of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM). The study will include issues of governance, transparency, accountability and the use of state bond funds.

Public hearing on the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine
Little Hoover Commission
Thursday November 20 at 9 AM
Room 4203 of the State Capitol in Sacramento

The Little Hoover Commission’s study was prompted by a request from Senator Sheila Kuehl (D-Santa Monica), who heads the state Senate Health Committee, and Senator George Runner (R-Antelope Valley). A bill that they authored, which included the request, was passed overwhelmingly by the California legislature, but vetoed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Also invited to testify at Thursday’s session are CIRM Chair Robert Klein and President Alan Trounson. The Commission will also hear testimony from a panel of two law professors and another panel of two representatives from institutions who have applied for and received grant money from CIRM. Joining Jesse Reynolds on a panel of consumer advocates will be John Simpson of Consumer Watchdog.

For more information, see the Little Hoover Commission’s website, its description of its review of CIRM, and its agenda of Thursday’s meeting. Jesse Reynolds’s submitted testimony is available on request on an embargoed basis. It will be posted on the Center’s website at 9 a.m. on Thursday November 20. 

Contact:
Jesse Reynolds
510-625-0819 x308
510-410-0242
jreynolds[AT]geneticsandsociety[DOT]org

Marcy Darnovsky
510-625-0819 x305
510-913-7714
mdarnovsky[AT]geneticsandsociety[DOT]org