The state of New Jersey has reached an agreement to support a $ 500 million research to further stem cell studies. This latest legislation comes three years after the groundbreaking decision to legalise stem cell research, being only the second state in US to do so. The first bill for $ 270 million has already garnered enough support to gain the approval of the full assembly in the next week as per Assemblyman Neil M Cohen from D-Union who is one of the bills co-sponsors. The second bill for $ 230 million proposal would seek the assembly’s approval in the first two months of 2007. Both the senate president as well as the state Governor Corzine’s spokesman reported their support for the bills. New Jersey is presently racing with other states like California to gather funds for establishing research centers.
As per Cohen, setting up of stem cell research centers would spur the growth of the economy as well as the health standards in the state. It is pertinent to note that President Bush cancelled federal funding in 2001 quoting his opposition to destruction of embryo and cloning triggering off a race between states to lure beneficial funds.Enmeshed in a tangle of ethical and moral concerns and doubts regarding borrowing, the state finally legalized the research in 2004, being only the second in US to do so. Stem cell research has several positive spin offs – It could lead to the cure of diabetes, cancer and other diseases. However the opponents oppose destruction of human embryo stressing that it amounts to murder. Amidst positive vibes for the project, there exist many a voice of dissent. Mr Leonard Lance, the minority Leader of the senate has voiced his doubts over the expenditure likely to be incurred. He has stated that the result may be an additional load on the burgeoning debt levels that exist in New Jersey. Other voices of dissent comes from people like John Tomicki who is the executive director of the League of American Families who opposes the embryonic research project on morality grounds and for the sheer risk it involves even while supporting the adult stem cell research.
Source-Medindia
MST
