The money for stem cells is moving

[El_Machinae]

You all know that science and research is compounding. Meaning, the earlier research starts (and produces results), the more exponential benefit you'll see at whatever set future point you want to set.

It looks like people lent stem cell researchers in California money in order to start their research, with the understanding that California would return their money after it wins its court cases. Thanks to these fellows, we're going to have more results to work with by the time the money flows.

The California stem cell agency — armed with money borrowed from wealthy philanthropists — handed out its first research grants Monday, 17 months after voters approved borrowing $3 billion to fund the controversial science.
The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine awarded $12.1 million to 16 universities and nonprofit research outfits throughout the state. The grants will be used to train 169 scientists and students in the stem cell science basics, including ethics courses.

MSNBC

 

[Eran of Arcadia]

I am a reluctant supporter of stem-cell research. Reluctant in the sense that I do realize that there are ethical issues here, but the way I see it, IV embryos are going to end up destroyed anyways. This way they can at least contribute something, and the sooner we start these lines and begin cloning stem cells from them the sooner we will get this debate over with and start seeing benefits.

 

[Tank_Guy#3]

I am pi$$ed because Wisconsin is also a leader in the stem cell field. And just because not everyone realizes this, California gets most of the cash and Wisconsin gets left behind, again.

The University of Madison is one of THE top research facilities in the US with regards to stem cells.

 

[Xanikk999]

You all know that science and research is compounding. Meaning, the earlier research starts (and produces results), the more exponential benefit you'll see at whatever set future point you want to set.

It looks like people lent stem cell researchers in California money in order to start their research, with the understanding that California would return their money after it wins its court cases. Thanks to these fellows, we're going to have more results to work with by the time the money flows.




MSNBC

This is good news. I hope more venture capatalists will pitch in to give these studies funding. If the government wont fund stem cell research, theres plenty of other people/organizations who will.

 

[El_Machinae]

California gets most of the cash and Wisconsin gets left behind, again.

To be fair, the cash is internally generated by Californians (in this instance). Could you mention any researchers in Wisconsin?

 

[Sahkuhnder]

Does any state besides California have any similar program?

 

[bhsup]

Does any state besides California have any similar program?

Missouri is voting on stem cell research later in the year. The Stowers Institute is a big backer of it, along with quite a few big name (at least Kansas City big) foundations.

 

[El_Machinae]

I think you guys are voting on cloning, aren't you? It's a little different, because you can research some types of stem cells without allowing cloning.

I'd be curious as to the question that's being proposed. It would be sad if it was a biased question

 

[bhsup]

No time this morning, but I'll try to find the link to the actual bill for you later tonight.

 

[El_Machinae]

It looks like state money is only not allowed to be used to try to turn a clone into a human being (which, by all means, is a really good restriction).

It looks like it's currently okay to fund therapeutic cloning.

You were saying something about a new vote coming up. I was curious regarding the definitions used, but am not familiar enough with the area to find a good news source.

I have a thread on therapeutic cloning HERE for anybody with an opinion. There's a little bit of vitriole that I encourage people to ignore, though.

 

[Alpine Trooper]

Welcome to the 20th century America.

I'll welcome you to the 21st once you get rid of places like Kansas.

 

[El_Machinae]

You should check out Canadian legislation. Compared to the USA, we're in the dark ages.

We cannot even touch cloning, or risk criminal charges. Nothing to do with public funding or anything ... just banned. Type of cloning doesn't matter. Banned.

Embryonic Stem Cells can only be worked on under very tight restrictions. Restrictions that depend upon an agency legislated in 2003, but only formed this year. Researcher cannot work on ESC or risk criminal charges. They're waiting for guidelines to be formed. For over three years.

We're currently WAY more tightly constrained. There's no way the politicians are going to spend any time updating the legislation, so it looks like court action is the only way to go.

Oh yeah, California has finally ruled that all the money can be used. So, the process is starting down there. And $3 billion certainly will make a difference.

Right now, the UK leads the pack. They're even considering the idea that women can donate eggs to the research ... maybe

 

[Abaddon]

3 billion = 12.1 million?!?

Is corruption getting worse, or is it just me?

 

[GenMarshall]

This is so sad seeing this happening using dead aborted fetuses as scientific experiments .

 

[Abaddon]

why? what else use are they?

 

[Xanikk999]

This is so sad seeing this happening using dead aborted fetuses as scientific experiments .

But they are already dead. So why not use them in the name of moving science forward instead of wasting them?

 

[GenMarshall]

But they are already dead. So why not use them in the name of moving science forward instead of wasting them?

Where do you think we get them? From the magical stem cell tree? . No, we get them by killing an innocent fetus. Its esentaly wasting life that is to valuble to be wasted. Using them in the name of science is certanly wrong and not respectful for the dead.

 

[MobBoss]

Question: Why do public funds need to be dedicated to this? Why are not private corporations doing this type of research as is usually the case? I mean, we never had to raise public funds to research Viagra did we?

If stem cell research is "the way of the future" then certainly some future minded investors/corporations would be more than interested in that kind of research.

So, why isnt that happening?

 

[downtown]

Where do you think we get them? From the magical stem cell tree? . No, we get them by killing an innocent fetus. Its esentaly wasting life that is to valuble to be wasted. Using them in the name of science is certanly wrong and not respectful for the dead.

We dont kill the fetus. The fetus died somehow else...nobody is off killing babies for their stem cells

 

[Kozmos]

This is so sad seeing this happening using dead aborted fetuses as scientific experiments .

Anything to further the cause to construct a clone army