Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2004. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
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San Francisco Examiner - November 4, 2004
Mary F. Albert, Staff Writer
Approved by over 5.6 million people and almost 60 percent of voters, the proposition promises to create a governmental organization that will administer research funds to not-for-profit organizations intending to conduct research on human stem cells.
Stem cells have the potential to develop into many different kinds of specialized cells. Past stem cell research on animals has allowed scientists to better understand how healthy cells replace damaged cells, which is why many members of the Bay Area's medical and scientific community, such as the San Francisco AIDS Foundation, backed the initiative.
Stanford Professor of Cancer Biology Irving L. Weissman is one of the many doctors and scientists thrilled to hear that the measure was approved, since it promises to support research that could help find cures to diseases such as Alzheimer's, juvenile diabetes and Parkinson's.
The measure is designed to give $300 million annually to research institutes, such as Stanford or UCSF, that submit the most compelling applications.
These funds will "clearly establish California as the leader in stem-cell research," said David Gollaher of the California Institute of Health, which represents biomedical and biotech firms throughout the state.
The next step is for state officials such as Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to appoint 29 members of the organization's governing board, according to Yes on Prop. 71 spokeswoman Fiona Hutton.
As state officials build the institute, opponents of the measure said they would keep a watchful eye on how the institute moves forward.
"We would really like to see officials appoint people without a conflict of interest," said Associate Executive Director of the Center for Genetics and Society Marcy Darnovsky, who underscored the importance of transparency in handling such "powerful technology."
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