New York colleges propose stem cell fund
Leaders of New York's major research universities and institutions are urging state lawmakers quickly establish a fund to support stem cell research.
Presidents and chancellors representing 17 New York state universities and institutions -- all with substantial biomedical and life sciences research programs -- Tuesday released a comprehensive analysis of scientific, therapeutic and economic issues and their implications for the state's biomedical research community and economy.
"Recognizing the enormous potential of stem cells, Mount Sinai School of Medicine has, with a generous philanthropic gift, created the Black Family Stem Cell Institute to establish a world-class research program in stem cell biology and medicine," said Dr. Kenneth Davis, president of the Mount Sinai Medical Center.
"If New York is to be counted among the elite group of leaders in biomedical research in the years to come, a large-scale, centralized effort is needed today or we risk losing our intellectual capital, and, thus, our potential," said Davis
Federal funding restrictions on such research have prompted several states to establish state-based research funds. California, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Maryland are among states that have or are in the process of establishing similar funds.
Copyright 2006 by United Press International