RK ARCHIVE - Virginia GOP kills stem cell research and additional higher education funding. With one stone.

Virginia GOP kills stem cell research and additional higher education funding. With one stone.

The Health, Welfare and Institutions subcommittee on Health failed to pass the Stem Cell Research Authorization Act (HB2857-MORAN) which would authorize embryonic stem cell research in Virginia colleges, universities and laboratories. Stem Cell research holds the potential for life-saving cures for millions of Americans including those suffering from Alzheimer's, Cancer, and Juvenile Diabetes. The legislation would increase Virginia's competitiveness in seeking federal grants for this research. The bill is offered in response to a budget amendment offered in the 2006 session which would prohibit this research at any public facility. The committee chose to refer the bill for further study.

"The hope and opportunity that embryonic stem cell research provides should never be closed to thousands of Virginians suffering in silence. I'm saddened that the committee chose not to act and authorize the pursuit of cures here in Virginia," said House Democratic Caucus Chairman Brian Moran. "We all know someone who has been the victim of a life-threatening disease like Parkinson's or cancer. Now we have a real chance to cure the incurable and it's morally wrong to wait."

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And, they keep adding more reasons to vote against them in 2007.

Comments

This is a 2007 election topic that needs to be kept alive (Dianne - 1/30/2007 8:35:14 AM)

And Rob you've hit on the keys issues that can be used in this year's campaigns: The GOP votes against life-saving cures research and the higher-education funding in Virginia to work on them.

Great diary topic.

Repeal the Calendar (K - 1/30/2007 1:08:38 PM)

Yep, I'm surprised the Republicans in Virginia haven't suggested repealing the calendar and going back a century of two. Most of them would be right at home.

We're losing ground to our neighbors (adshubert - 1/30/2007 2:39:33 PM)

Not only does this keep Virginia in a holding pattern concerning stem cell research, but Virginia is on the verge of ceding its technology crown to Maryland and North Carolina as biotechnology booms. A severe brain drain is imminent as graduates of Virginia's medical schools flock to other states to work on cutting-edge technology, and would-be applicants cross Virginia schools off their list. Maryland is strongly embracing this research and the state is funding these initiatives, and a major biotechnolgy park is being constructed next to Johns Hopkins. Virginia was ground zero for the internet revolution, and we are still reaping the rewards today. Now, though, Virgina is strongly at risk of just being zero.