Governor Spitzer Wants New York to Enter Stem Cell Race

[DeepModem Mom]

NYT: Spitzer Wants New York to Enter Stem Cell Race
By NICHOLAS CONFESSORE
Published: January 16, 2007

ALBANY, Jan. 12 — Five years ago, the Bush administration decided to severely limit federal financing for embryonic stem cell research, a move that set off vigorous competition among the states to provide support for a research field that many scientists say could bring about major medical advances.

New Jersey was first out of the gate, pledging millions of dollars for stem cell research in the state. California raised the stakes with a huge $3 billion bond initiative, and other states followed with ballot initiatives or legislation to give scientists grants or to build research centers. Those efforts, supporters promised, would also bring in new jobs and tax revenue.

But New York — home to leading research universities, medical centers and biotechnology companies — has remained absent from the list. Legislative efforts in recent years to direct state money to embryonic stem cell research have stalled, and then fizzled.

Now, state lawmakers are preparing to move forward on what would be the most ambitious government-financed stem cell project on the East Coast.

In his first address to the Legislature, Gov. Eliot Spitzer called this month for passage of a $2 billion 10-year bond initiative for research and development, at least half of which would be set aside to pay for stem cell research....“The real value is that if New York is involved, you suddenly have an ability to make a leap in progress across the country’s best minds,” said David Bluestone, a spokesman for Americans for Stem Cell Therapies and Cures, a national advocacy group. “You never get advances from one lab in one state. You need this to be happening across all the states with the best research institutions. California can’t go it alone.”...

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/16/nyregion/16stem.html?hp&ex=1169010000&en=85c0d3fa3d828f09&ei=5094&partner=homepage

[TomClash]

1. It's about time nt

[ClintonTyree]

2. I love our new Governor........

maybe our State can finally recover from the Pataki pall that's settled over it. Spitzer WILL BE President of the United States one day, mark my words. Until then I'm grateful he'll be leading New York to a brighter more prosperous future for all.