Thursday, June 26, 2008

Legislature: commit on stem cell research

Wisconsin State Journal/ Your Views
June 26, 2008

A recent study suggests that stem cell programs that exist in a stable and favorable policy and funding environment are continuing to thrive. Conversely stem cell programs that are hampered by inadequate and sporadic funding are clearly underperforming.

So far Wisconsin has been blessed with a huge investment only in human capital. This has been contributed tirelessly and generously by Thompson and his UW colleagues. We cannot afford however to rest on our laurels and human capital alone.

What is needed is a bi-partisan initiative that goes beyond good will and provides for a secure and continuous public and private funding base. This support and funding must be accompanied by a message from the people of Wisconsin ---our state Legislature—that tells venture capitalists and committed scientists alike that Wisconsin means to be in the stem cell business for the long time.

Wisconsin legislators can no longer continue to sit by while Wisconsin citizens and families continue to suffer daily from debilitating diseases and an ever weakening economy.