Mass. governor pushes biotech investment |
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Tue, 08 May 2007 16:23
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BOSTON (AP) - Gov. Deval Patrick, eager to attract more biotechnology business, on Tuesday will propose that Massachusetts make a multiyear investment in the industry to rival California, which has approved spending $3 billion on stem cell research.Patrick is scheduled to detail the proposal Tuesday in a speech to scientists and biotech companies at the BIO International Convention in Boston.'It's going to put us on par with California,' Patrick spokesman Joe Landolfi said.Any commitment of state funds would require legislative approval. Both House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi and Senate President Therese Murray last year voted in favor of a bill encouraging stem cell research.California voters in 2004 approved the nation's most ambitious stem cell research center. The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine is authorized to dole out $3 billion in research grants over 10 years.The research aims to use stem cells, which are created in the first days after conception and can give rise to all the organs and tissues in the body, to replace diseased tissue in hopes of treating a variety of diseases, from Alzheimer's to diabetes.But many social conservatives, including President Bush, oppose the work because embryos are destroyed in the process. The microscopic embryos are usually donated by fertility clinics.The Bush administration has limited federal funding to about $25 million annually.Four other states also have skirted federal restrictions with stem cell research funding schemes of their own: Connecticut has a 10-year, $100 million initiative; Illinois spent $10 million last year; Maryland has approved a $15 million budget; and New Jersey has spent about $25 million in two years.Patrick has pushed to reverse stem cell research restrictions imposed by his predecessor, Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney.Copyright 2007 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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