After a leading UW-Madison stem-cell researcher said Wisconsin needs to take serious steps to maintain leadership in the stem-cell field, many state dignitaries said the state funding is likely not feasible.
UW-Madison biologist James Thomson, who recently developed a technique for human skin cells to function like embryonic stem cells, said Tuesday the state would have to increase spending for stem-cell research to $50 million annually in order to keep up with California's investment of $3 billion.
According to John Murray, spokesperson for state Assembly Speaker Mike Huebsch, R-West Salem, this year's state budget does not look promising for more stem-cell research funding.
To be identifying specific dollar amounts at this point, particularly given that we could potentially be going into economic downturn this year, I think it's a little premature for us to be setting dollar figures,"" Murray said.
He suggested turning to private funding.
""There are people who are willing to make very generous investments in that area, and anytime we can find private dollars, which we have been very successful in attracting, we should encourage that,"" Murray said.
Carrie Lynch, spokesperson for state Sen. Russell Decker, D-Weston, agreed while private funding was helpful, a certain commitment from the state is also ""extremely important.""
""The state has a pretty strong commitment to funding research at our great campuses, and there is pretty broad support [within the Legislature] for certain types of stem-cell research,"" she said.
""If we start building support for stem cell research now, money could be found in the next budget.""
Lynch said it is essential the university has what it needs to compete, adding that the ongoing competition between Wisconsin and California as national leaders in the field of stem-cell research.
A 2004 California referendum provides California with $3 billion in tax-free state bonds for 10 years of embryonic stem-cell research.
However, Murray said getting into a ""dollar-bidding war"" was not an accurate way to measure a state's success within the stem-cell research field.
""Look at what we've been able to do with the modest investment we've made in Wisconsin,"" he said.
""Obviously we have one of the preeminent stem-cell researchers, Dr. Jamie Thomson, here in Wisconsin, and the investment we have made has done exceptionally well.""
Thomson's lab's announcement of its stem cell breakthrough seemed to create buzz at the Wisconsin Innovative Network luncheon Tuesday where he spoke on the subject.
""The Tech Council is especially proud that Thomson is in Wisconsin, and we are very encouraged and thrilled with what he is doing,"" WIN Director Liz Katz said, adding he generated a record attendance at the luncheon.
Janet Kelly, communications director for the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation, said via e-mail WARF would like to see more funding for stem-cell research to keep the state competitive.
""We recognize that our state budget faces many challenges, but look forward to the time we can see growth in state, federal and private funding for stem-cell science here in Wisconsin,"" she said.
