Proposition 71 Wins Decisive Victory; California Establishes State-Sponsored Stem Cell Research Program
The voters of California overwhelmingly approved Proposition 71, the California Stem Cell Research & Cures Initiative, by a margin of 59% to 41%. ASH was the first medical society to endorse the measure.
Prop 71 on the California ballot authorizes a $3 billion bond that will provide approximately $295 million a year for 10 years to support stem cell research. The initiative creates the largest-ever state-sponsored scientific research program. The initiative also would put the state of California ahead of most other nations in this promising field by allowing the state to bypass the current federal restrictions on embryonic stem cell research so long as strict ethical guidelines are met. More information on the initiative can be obtained at www.curesforcalifornia.com.
ASH supported Proposition 71 because the Society believes that stem cell research offers a significant degree of promise and hope to the approximately 100 million Americans suffering from deadly and debilitating diseases. The Society supports federal funding of all avenues of stem cell research under National Institutes of Health (NIH) federal research guidelines and with appropriate public oversight. For a copy of the ASH policy statement on stem cell research, please see the ASH Web site.
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