California Connected interviews Bob Klein, author of Proposition 71, an initiative passed in November of 2004 to fund stem cell research in California to the tune of $3 billion. Klein is now the chairman of the State’s stem cell agency oversight committee, the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine.
In its first year, the agency has been busy — not dispensing grants, but dealing with its critics. The agency’s detractors contend it lacks adequate conflict-of-interest rules, proper government oversight and, even, ethics guidelines for working in this emerging medical research field.
A lawsuit contends the agency’s creation is unconstitutional, and until the lawsuit is settled, the state cannot issue bonds.
So what now? California Connected asks Klein about these issues and when Californians can expect to see cures for diseases as a result of stem cell research.
- California Institute for Regenerative Medicine
- Center for Genetics and Society, critical of the the State’s stem cell agency oversight committee
- “Stem-cell institute to adopt tougher conflict rules,” San Jose Mercury News via Californians Aware: The Center for Public Forum Rights, proponents of open government via sunshine laws
- Alliance for Stem Cell Research, site of former Prop. 71 supporters
- Stem Cell Information, the National Institute of Health
- “Stem cell scientists debate finer points of research ethics,” San Francisco Chronicle