With elections rapidly approaching, both gubernatorial candidates seem eager to establish a position on the popular issue of stem cell research.
Gov. Jim Doyle announced an agreement Thursday with the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation that eliminates the required stem cell patent research license for nonprofit and academic institutions in Wisconsin. The agreement is part of Doyle's broader incentive program which includes $250,000 in grants to new or expanding stem cell research companies in the state, eligibility for certain tax credits and a newly created stem cell development specialist in Wisconsin's Entrepreneur's Network.
WiCell, the home of the National Stem Cell Bank, supports the partnership. ""We hope this will increase research funding and keep the focus of stem cell research in Wisconsin,"" said executive director of WiCell Elizabeth Donley. According to Donley, Doyle's plan would save companies the cost of research license, which ranges between $75,000 and $400,000.
Recently, gubernatorial hopeful and U.S. Rep. Mark Green, R-Green Bay, showcased his $25 million stem cell research investment plan. Those state funds would be focused on research that extracts stem cells without destroying the embryo.
Donley ""absolutely"" supports Green's plan, but admits the present way of unanimously donating embryos creates a problem with saving them because there is no way to track where the embryos originated. ""We are interested in exploring that as a method, but right now there is no one to give the embryo back to — it has to go back into the freezer.""
Doyle's stem cell research plan forecasts the creation of some 80,000 new jobs in 10 years for the state and billions of dollars in revenue. ""This is another example of the governor putting his money where his mouth is,"" said John Rogers, chairman of the Stem Cell Champions for Doyle.
In response to the hopeful economic boom of Doyle's stem cell research incentives, Luke Punzenberger, Green's spokesperson said under Green's plan, jobs would also stay and be created in Wisconsin. ""It sounds like they are essentially saying the same thing."" Punzenberger said.
Green's $25 million would go towards stem cell research that doesn't destroy embryos. Scientists are unsure of the success of this form of research.
Though Rogers supports any form of stem cell research, he labels Green's proposed concentration on research unproven theory. ""While we support all forms of stem cell research, we all want to put in the hours to the science that is most promising.""
Understanding the importance of maintaining a pro-active stance on stem cell research, Punzenberger suggested Mark Green, not Doyle, is the true progressive regarding the issue. ""It's actually kind of an idea that Mark had before the Governor unveiled it today.""
