embryonic stem cell colonies from the lab of developmental biologist James Thompson
Source: University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Used with permission © University of Wisconsin Board of Regents
California stem cell chief appears on California Connected
Robert Klein II, chair of the Independent Citizens' Oversight Committee (ICOC) responsible for the operations of the California Institute of Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) established by Proposition 71 in November, 2004, to spend $3 billion (to be repaid with at least $6 billion in California taxpayers' money) on embryonic stem cell research, appeared yesterday on California Connected, a California-centric, syndicated public television news program, to update viewers about this project.
You can access the video of this interview with California Connected host Lisa McRee by clicking here.
stem cell chief attacks "religious opposition" to Proposition 71 for "marshalling…constitutional arguments as a front for their opposition"
During that interview, Mr. Klein said:
"The opposition to Proposition 71, who fought us, has maintained this fight and tried to block these funds with litigation, even though 7 million Californians voted to approve Proposition 71."
Asked by Ms. McRee, "Specifically, what are their arguments?" Mr. Klein replied:
"Their arguments are religiously-based, and while we recognize and respect people from other religions, really, the people of California voted, really, 59% to 41%, for this, and the religious opposition is really marshalling now constitutional arguments as a front for their opposition."
You can learn more about these lawsuits from these previous
California Politics Today articles:
"California Family Bioethics Council files "reverse validation action" to shut down Proposition 71 and all its progeny"
"Alleged "special interest" attorney discusses pending litigation against California's Independent Citizens' Oversight Committee (ICOC) embryonic stem cell research group"
stem cell chief expresses hope for imminent research funding through a "bridge financing approach"
Also during that interview, Mr. Klein was asked by Ms. McRee, "When do you think my dollars will actually be paying a scientist who's sitting looking in a microscope and looking for discoveries?"
Mr. Klein replied:
"We're working with a bridge financing program that bypasses the litigation and hopefully, in September, through this bridge financing approach, we'll be able to fund the first grants. That's my goal."
You can read more about why the bond sales authorized by Proposition 71 haven't yet taken place in this May 11, 2005 article:
"California cannot sell $3 billion in embryonic stem cell research bonds until a lawsuit challenging its right to do so is resolved".
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