Profession
Court says Calif. stem cell agency is legal; group awards grants
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted May 8, 2006
The California Institute of Regenerative Medicine, created after voters approved a ballot measure and responsible for distributing $3 billion in state funds for stem cell research, is constitutional, an Alameda County Superior Court judge ruled in April.
CIRM was in legal limbo after groups that believe stem cell research is immoral filed a lawsuit. The court decision will likely be appealed.
Meanwhile, shortly before the judge's decision, CIRM awarded $12.1 million in grants for human embryonic stem cell research to 16 California nonprofit research groups. Grants ranged from nearly $350,000 to $1.2 million. The money will pay for stem cell training programs for scientists. CIRM sold $14 million in anticipatory bonds, with plans to pay them back once the lawsuit is resolved.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2006/05/08/prbf0508.htm.