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the Stem Cell Page time and ignorance are the enemies |
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Stem cell research action by state |
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The following was reported by the Congressional Research Service in a report for Congress by Judith A. Johnson, specialist in Life Sciences, and Erin D. Williams, specialist in Bioethical Policy, both of the Domestic Social Policy Division.
State Initiatives to Encourage Stem Cell Research Despite federal policy, many states are moving forward with their own initiatives to encourage or provide funding for stem cell research (in some cases therapeutic cloning as well) in order to remain competitive and prevent the relocation of scientists and biotechnology firms to other states or overseas. However, without the central direction and coordinated research approach that the federal government can provide, many are concerned that the states’ actions will result in duplication of research effort among the states, a possible lack of oversight for ethical concerns and ultimately a loss of U.S. preeminence in this important area of basic research.
In September 2002 California enacted the nation’s first law that expressly permits and encourages research involving the derivation of human embryonic stem cells and cloned embryos (California Health and Safety Code § 123440, 24185, 12115-7, 125300-320). The law does not authorize practices that were previously proscribed, but instead provides assurances to researchers and sponsors hesitant to invest in embryonic stem cell research since the 2001 Bush policy took effect. The law has reportedly enticed several prominent researchers to move to California from other states.
In November 2004, with the endorsement of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Californians passed Proposition 71 with 59% of the vote, amending the state Constitution to facilitate embryonic stem cell research. Proposition 71 establishes a California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM), and generates $3 billion in state-bond funding for embryonic stem cell research over the next 10 years. Ninety percent of the funds will be spent on research, 10% will go toward facilities. All grants will be limited to scientists and facilities in California. Funds may not be used for reproductive cloning but may be used for therapeutic cloning. In early May 2005 the 29 member governing board of CIRM, the Independent Citizens Oversight Committee (ICOC), announced that CIRM would be located in San Francisco.
In January 2005, Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell proposed $20 million of the $315 million state budget surplus for human embryonic stem cell research. Both Yale University and the University of Connecticut at Storrs have labs engaged in stem cell research. In March 2005 the Storrs lab announced that, in collaboration with Chinese scientists, it has become the first to create embryonic stem cells from cloned cattle embryos. The Storrs lab wants to begin a human therapeutic cloning program. Lab chief Xiangzhong “Jerry” Yang, threatened to leave for China if state funding was not provided. On June 15, 2005, Governor Rell signed legislation providing $100 million over 10 years for human embryonic stem cell research. The state stem cell advisory committee is scheduled to approve research grants by the spring of 2006.
Delaware*
An amendment to the Florida constitution that would provide $20 million per year for ten years for embryonic stem cell research has been submitted to the state Division of Elections for approval as a ballot initiative. The initiative - sponsored by a Palm Beach County group Floridians for Stem Cell Research and Cures - also needs the approval of the Florida Supreme Court. If the initiative is to appear on the 2006 ballot, supporters must collect 611,000 signatures by December 31, 2005. Because this proved unrealistic, they are now trying for the 2008 ballot.
Following the defeat of several stem cell research measures during the spring session of the Illinois legislature, on July 12, 2005, Governor Rod Blagoj evich signed an executive order authorizing $10 million in funding for adult, cord blood, and embryonic stem cell research. The money was added to the budget of the Illinois Department of Public Health. In August 2005, as Missouri legislators were debating whether to ban such research, Governor Blagojevich sent a letter to Missouri scientists and researchers inviting them to move to Illinois and find the “freedom to explore the promise of stem cell research.”
Iowa**
In May 2005 Indiana enacted legislation that prohibits reproductive and therapeutic cloning and creates an adult stem cell research center at Indiana University but did not provide any state funding for the center.
Maryland On March 28, 2005, in an 81-53 vote the Maryland House approved a bill that would provide $23 million each year for human embryonic stem cell research, including therapeutic cloning, beginning in FY2007. However, the bill died in the Senate in April 2005 on the last day of the legislative session due to a threatened filibuster. On January 10, 2006, Governor Robert L. Ehrlich announced that he will propose spending $20 million in state funding on stem cell research. Decisions on whether the money will be spent on human embryonic stem cells or less controversial forms of stem cell research will be made by a state-created technology development corporation.
Massachusetts In March 2005, the Massachusetts legislature overwhelming approved a bill (Senate 35-2, House 117-37) that clarifies state law on research involving human embryonic stem cells and therapeutic cloning and ensures that such research is permitted within a regulatory framework. On May 27, 2005, Governor Mitt Romney vetoed the stem cell bill; he is opposed to the therapeutic cloning portion of the bill. On May 31, 2005, the House overrode the Governor’s veto on a vote of 112 to 42, the Senate did the same later that day on a vote of 35-2. Mechanisms for state funding of research are under consideration.
A petition drive is underway to place an initiative on the November 2006 state wide ballot that would support stem cell research. The amendment to the state constitution was proposed by the Missouri Coalition for Lifesaving Cures; former U.S. Senators Thomas Eagleton and John Danforth are members of the coalition. Supporters of the initiative include Governor Matt Blunt, the Lance Armstrong Foundation, the Christopher Reeve Foundation, the Parkinson’s Action Network and the American Diabetes Foundation. The amendment would ban human reproductive cloning but protect all stem cell research permitted by federal law, including SCNT or therapeutic cloning. The petition is in response to efforts in the state legislature that would criminalize such research in the state. The Stowers Institute for Medical Research, a private institution in Kansas City with a $2 billion endowment, has stopped hiring and delayed a $300 million expansion until the status of research is resolved either by the legislature or by the public via the petition. Instead, Stowers made a $6 million donation to Harvard Stem Cell Institute in 2005.
[Stem Cell Page notes regarding Missouri: (a) On May 1, 2006, the Missouri Coalition for Lifesaving Cures submitted petitions bearing signatures of nearly 300,000 Missouri voters, or about twice the number required to create a ballot referendum in November, 2006, pending certification by the Missouri Secretary of State. (b) The November 2005 lawsuit was dismissed, appealed and again dismissed. The plaintiffs filed with the Missouri Supreme Court, which upheld the earlier rulings in May, 2006, clearing the path for the referendum. (c) The referendum, Amendment 2, passed in the November 7, 2006 election. ]
New Jersey In January 2004 New Jersey became the second state in the nation to enact a law that specifically permits embryonic stem cell research. The state law bans human reproductive cloning but permits the use of cloned embryos for stem cell research (NJ Permanent Statutes, Title 26:2Z-2). Like the 2002 California law, New Jersey’s stem cell statute provides assurances to researchers and does not contradict the 2001 Bush policy which only limits federal funding.
In a January 11, 2005, State of the State speech, Acting Governor Richard Codey called for $380 million for stem cell research. The plan entails using $150 million to construct a facility for the Stem Cell Institute of New Jersey using money from the state’s share of the national tobacco settlement. The remaining $230 million for research grants would be raised via a bond initiative on the November 2005 ballot which would require legislative approval. In June 2005 the state Senate passed a bill which would authorize $150 million for the construction of a state stem cell institute with the proceeds of cigarette tax securitization bonds. In December 2005 the state Senate passed a bill that would place a $350 million bond initiative on the November 2006 ballot. The measure would provide funds for stem cell research in New Jersey over a seven year period at $50 million per year. Both bills expired at the end of the legislative session.
New York*
Pennsylvania*
Ohio The Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine was started in 2003 with a $19.5 million in funding from the state of Ohio. The Center is composed of researchers from Case Western Reserve University, University Hospitals of Cleveland, The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Athersys, Inc., and Ohio State University. The Center uses adult human stem cells and tissue engineering technology to develop treatments for human disease. On June 30, 2005, Governor Bob Taft vetoed language in the state budget that would have prevented state research funds from being used for human embryonic stem cell research. The veto allows state funds to be used for research on human embryonic stem cell lines that existed before August 2001 in accordance with Bush Administration policy.
Texas*
Virginia In March 2005 Virginia enacted legislation that would fund research on adult stem cells via state appropriations to the Christopher Reeve Stem Cell Research Fund. A joint subcommittee was also established to examine the medical, ethical, and scientific policy implications of stem cell research.
Wisconsin In response to the California initiative, Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle announced on November 17, 2004, that the state was providing nearly $750 million in public-private investment for biotechnology, health sciences and stem cell research over the next several years. The Wisconsin investment strategy includes $375 million for a new research institute, the Wisconsin Institute for Discovery, on the University of Wisconsin, Madison campus. WiCell, a foundation that is using private and federal funds to support stem cell research, will be a part of the Institute. The state also plans to invest $105 million over the next five years in research, education, and public health efforts at the University of Wisconsin Medical School and the Medical College of Wisconsin for stem cell research as well as regenerative medicine, molecular medicine, neuroscience, and cancer research.
— ** Stem Cell Page note: Iowa was omitted from the Congressional report but easily could have been included. Iowa banned SCNT research in 2002. It has been documented that researchers have left the state due to the ban. However, Governor Tom Vilsack called for repeal of the ban, but will leave office in January, 2007 for a run at the Presidency. Governor-elect Chet Culver has pledged to repeal the ban during his term and has proposed to fund $10 million toward a center for regenerative medicine at the University of Iowa. |
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