Schwarzenegger sanctions $150 million for stem cell research

Schwarzenegger sanctions $150 million for stem cell research

SAN FRANCISCO - California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has sidestepped President Bush's veto for the stem cell research program by releasing $150 million for his state's voter approved research effort. The governor's decision was announced after Bush vetoed a bill that sought federal funds for embryonic stem cell research efforts.

"I remain committed to advancing stem cell research in California, in the promise it holds for millions of our citizens who suffer from chronic diseases and injuries that could be helped as a result of stem cell research," the governor said in a letter to his finance director. With this decision, the governor has made every effort to distance himself from the president's unpopular policies. It may be recalled that this is an election year and Schwarzenegger does not want to take any stand that will be seen as anti-people.

Adam Mendelsohn, Schwarzenegger's communications director only lent more credence to this thought as he said that the governor was always for stem cell research. "The governor is a longtime supporter of stem cell research," he said. "The governor felt that there was a risk that the industry and movement would be set back by the veto, and he wants California to be a leader in industry."

California voters created the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine in 2004 and asked $3 billion to fund it for a decade. However Bush's veto had put a question mark over the funds. Dr. Zach Hall, president of the institute said the move to sanction funds was very welcome, "With one stroke, the governor has energized stem cell research in California," Hall said. "This is the new frontier in biomedical research, and the United States needs to be working in it. California will become a surrogate for the nation's efforts."

State Treasurer Phil Angelides, who is Schwarzenegger's Democratic opponent in the elections said it was too late for the governor to position himself as anti-Bush. "Today's action is another gubernatorial campaign smokescreen to cloud the memory of California voters that it was Arnold Schwarzenegger who campaigned for President Bush in Ohio and helped put him back into office," Angelides said in a statement. "As governor, I will be a consistent advocate for stem cell research and fight to elect a new president who shares my commitment to this life-saving research."