hESC Research Totals $458 Million out of $1.8 Billion from California Stem Cell Agency

The amount is of some interest because
the key reason that the agency now exists is the perceived
need in 2004 to fund hESC research in the wake of the Bush
Administration restrictions on federal funding in that area. The
restrictions created a national uproar in the scientific and patient
advocate community, which feared that promising therapies would never
be developed.

The $35 million ballot campaign to
create the agency focused hard on hESC research to the virtual
exclusion of any mention of adult stem cell research. Opposing the
effort were such forces as the anti-abortion movement and the
Catholic church. But this month LifeNews.com carried a mildly
approving item that pointed to the agency's turn towards adult stem
cell research.

When the Obama administration lifted
the Bush restrictions, some questions were raised about the need for
the California effort, which is costing state taxpayers $6 billion,
including interest. But those concerns received little public
attention and quickly died out.

Funding for the agency comes through
state bonds. Cash for new awards is scheduled to run out in 2017. The
agency is looking at developing a public-private effort for thefuture that would need a $50 to $200 million “public investment”
and major private funding.

Amy Adams, CIRM's communications
manager, provided the $458 million figure following publication of
this item yesterday on the California Stem Cell Report.