Posted by
Maudie in Mandeville on Tuesday, July 18, 2006 9:15:14 PM
Isn't it odd, in November Californians voted to tax themselves to the tune of $3 billion dollars over the next ten years to fund human embryonic stem cell research. Governor Schwarzenegger said that Proposition 71 would be a "boon" to the biotechnology industry in California. "We daringly led the way for the high-tech industry, and now voters can help ensure we lead the way for the biotech industry." Sounds like mega-billions for the state if the research pans out.
That's a big 'if ', since there have been zero benefits from embryonic stem cells to date, as opposed to myriad breakthroughs using adult stem cells. However, if embryonic stem cells do indeed provide something more than just "great hope to the American people", California (and its politicians) would certainly cash in on its success.
But Schwarzenegger has asked President Bush not to veto federal funding for embryonic research. If you know you will eventually have a sure thing, why would the California governor want to share the pie with the federal government? Because California is sure to get a lion's share of the 'free' billions from the federal largesse approved by Congress. The state and its university labs will forever be a haven for embryonic research without the state dipping into their coffers. No breakthrough? No problem. Just like the never ending federal funding to find the 'cure' for cancer which has yielded questionable results, the federal gravy train "boon" on embryonic research papers has just begun.
2010 update: 4 years later and Schwarzenegger's boondoggle doesn't even garner a mention within all his other boondoggles. God works in mysterious ways. Gloria Patri.