Mass. Gov. Patrick's Embryonic Stem Cell Proposal Could Fund Short-Term Research Not Receiving Federal, Private Money,Boston Globe Reports
The funds would establish special stem cell research centers, train workers for biotechnology businesses and create the first stem cell repository at the University of Massachusetts, where all stem cell lines created in state laboratories could be stored. According to the proposal, the state would provide $25 million annually in direct research grants, offer $25 million annually in business tax incentives to biotech companies and issue $500 million in bonds over 10 years to pay for capital investments. The plan also would involve an additional $250 million in matching funds from private business. Eight universities and hospitals have agreed to share their stem cells with the repository. Patrick said the majority of the investment would begin in July 2008 (Kaiser Daily Women's Health Policy Report, 5/10).
According to the Globe, Massachusetts has a "vibrant" stem cell research community, led by the Harvard Stem Cell Institute, but few companies in the state are trying to develop treatments from either adult or embryonic stem cells. The short-term funding provided under the proposal would give companies enough funding to develop ideas until they can attract private investors, the Globe reports. William Caldwell, chair of Advanced Cell Technology, said Patrick's proposal could make Massachusetts the "most user-friendly state from the standpoint of research and commercialization in the country."
However, some stem cell scientists said that companies could "rush into human testing" with stem cell treatments before "basic questions" are answered, according to the Globe. Robert Klein, chair of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine's Independent Citizens' Oversight Committee, said that opponents of embryonic stem cell research will try to highlight setbacks from human trials. "The ideological right is not asleep," Klein said, adding, "There will be failures as well as successes" (Allen, Boston Globe, 5/11). Editorials, Opinion Pieces
Several newspapers recently published editorials and an opinion piece in response to Patrick's proposal. Summaries appear below. Editorials
Boston Globe: Patrick's proposal is a "bold effort to insulate the state against flat federal funding for biomedical research and fend off competitors ... that threaten Massachusetts' dominant position" in the stem cell industry, a Globe editorial says. The editorial adds that Patrick is "taking a gamble" with his proposal but that it would be an "even greater risk for a governor to sit back and dream about past glory" when employment in the life sciences industry nationwide is surpassing growth in Massachusetts (Boston Globe, 5/10).
Springfield Republican: Patrick's proposal would "bring Massachusetts into the forefront of a field [that] will doubtless grow exponentially as the 21st century matures," a Republican editorial says. "While most othe[r] [states] are wondering about what the future may hold in store, Massachusetts will be playing a major role in helping to shape it," the editorial concludes (Springfield Republican, 5/10). Opinion Piece
Scott Lehigh, Boston Globe: Patrick was "truly impressive" in unveiling a "smart, targeted and attention-grabbing" proposal, Lehigh, a columnist for the Globe, writes in an opinion piece. The proposal would help "fill a void left by the Bush administration's myopic stem cell restrictions" and send a "clear message" that "Massachusetts will take on all comers in the fight to stay a biotech mecca," Lehigh writes (Lehigh, Boston Globe, 5/11).
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Mass. Gov. Patriciu de celule stem embrionare ar putea propunerea Fondului de cercetare pe termen scurt, care nu a primit federala, de privare de bani, Boston Globe rapoarte - Mass. Gov. Patrick's Embryonic Stem Cell Proposal Could Fund Short-Term Research Not Receiving Federal, Private Money,Boston Globe Reports - articole medicale engleza - startsanatate